Chapter 132: Close
>>Aelin
The hallway was quiet at this hour—just the soft tap of my slippers echoing against the polished stone as I approached Draegon’s study door. My heart beat harder with every step. I didn’t know why I was so nervous. It was just a meal. A small thing. Seraphine had made it sound so simple, and yet my palms were clammy and my breath came too shallow.
Still, I stopped in front of his door and raised my hand. I knocked gently.
For a moment, there was silence. Then came Draegon’s deep voice from inside.
"Come in."
I took a breath and opened the door.
He was at his desk, bent over a stack of parchment, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, a faint golden glow from the enchanted lantern casting warm light across his dark hair and sharp features. His eyes lifted when he saw me, and he immediately stood.
"Aelin?" His brows rose slightly. "It’s late."
"I know," I said, stepping in and gently shutting the door behind me. "It is."
I didn’t know what to do with my hands, so I folded them in front of me, then unfolded them again as I took a few more steps forward.
"I, um—" I cleared my throat. "I heard that... you hadn’t eaten anything today. So I thought I’d..." My voice faltered, and I looked down, feeling the blush already creeping across my cheeks. "I brought you food." There was a pause. My fingers fidgeted with the edge of my sleeve as I mumbled, "Food... to eat together."
I didn’t think he heard me. I barely heard myself.