CHAPTER 102: SHH! DON’T MAKE NOISE

Kalia’s face lost color almost immediately. Her knees wobbled, and she stumbled slightly before dropping to them, breathing sharply.

Elise bit her lip, a mixture of satisfaction and concern twisting inside her. She hurried forward, placing a hand on Kalia’s shoulder, helping steady her. "I’m so sorry," she murmured, genuinely worried. "I didn’t mean to take so much."

Kalia shook her head, still kneeling but managing a faint smirk. "Elise, you owe me big time," she said, her voice teasing despite her pale face. Elise rolled her eyes but grinned, agreeing, "Okay, okay. I owe you. Promise I’ll make it up."

There was a brief, shared laugh, the tension between them easing as Elise helped her fully upright. Kalia dusted off her robes, still pale but clearly impressed and slightly humbled.

"I’ve got to go," Elise said suddenly, glancing at the clock on her wall. Her heart fluttered in anticipation. "I can’t be late."

Kalia raised an eyebrow, playful and knowing. "Meeting Jae again, I suppose?" she teased, a sly grin tugging at her lips. Elise’s face instantly warmed, heat rushing to her cheeks. "Mind your own business!" she snapped, though the tone was more flustered than angry.

With her cloak over her shoulders, Elise stepped out into the evening air of the academy grounds. The sun had long set, leaving a soft violet haze across the sky.

Lanterns dotted along the corridors flickered gently, casting warm circles of light on the cobblestones. The cool breeze teased the strands of her hair, and the faint scent of blooming nightflowers drifted from the gardens.

She could hear the distant chatter of students in the dining hall behind her, the rhythmic clip of her boots on the stone floor, and the soft hum of residual mana from the day’s training lingering in the air.

There, outside the male dorm, stood Jae. He leaned casually against the doorway, but the moment his gaze landed on her, a smile spread across his face. Elise’s heart skipped.

She waved, and he waved back, his eyes brightening. That small recognition, that warmth in his expression, made her pulse quicken as she walked toward him, feeling a strange mix of nerves and excitement.

As she reached him, Jae moved forward and, without hesitation, wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug. She let out a startled squeak as he lifted her slightly off the ground, spinning her once before setting her back down. "Hey! Jae! Watch it!" she said, laughing, trying to catch her balance, her cheeks flushed from the sudden motion.

"Shh," he murmured in her ear, his voice low and teasing. "Don’t make noise. You’ll alert people."

Elise tilted her head back slightly, giggling, a playful edge to her voice. "It’s your fault, you know. Besides, most of the other guys probably have women in their rooms right now. What’s a little noise?"

Jae smirked and reached into his bag, pulling out his shadow cloak. "Here, wear this," he said, draping it over her shoulders.

The fabric was soft against her skin, slightly warm from his touch. When she tugged it over her head, she vanished, leaving only the faint shimmer of the mana threads flickering around her.

He led her inside, carefully guiding her through the dorm corridor to his room. The familiar scent of leather greeted them as they opened the door. Elise stepped inside, the cool floor beneath her boots contrasting with the warmth of her flushed cheeks. She removed the cloak, letting it fall to the floor.

Jae moved in, wrapping her in a close embrace. The moment was gentle, yet electrifying in its simplicity.

He kissed her softly, slowly, until her head spun just enough to make her slightly dizzy but delighted. Every brush of his lips seemed to resonate through her chest, a warm, comforting pressure that made her exhale unconsciously.

He guided her to a sturdy chair at the side of the room and gently helped her sit on his lap. The chair creaked slightly under the added weight, but it was solid.

Elise nestled against him, her small hands resting lightly on his shoulders, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath her fingers.

The close proximity made her acutely aware of the warmth radiating from him, the subtle scent of his hair and skin mingling with the faint traces of evening breeze that had followed her inside.

Jae leaned in, kissing her neck with soft, attentive pressure. Elise tilted her head, a quiet sigh escaping her lips as she tried to steady her breathing.

Each gentle press of his lips sent little shivers of sensation along her spine. The intimacy was thrilling yet comforting, a mix of familiarity and new excitement. Her hands tightened slightly around his shoulders, grounding herself in the shared moment.

Her pulse raced, her ears picking up every soft exhale and the faint rustle of their movements. She felt a warm flush crawl over her cheeks and the back of her neck as his attention lingered. Her breathing hitched slightly, small, involuntary sounds escaping her lips as she tried to adjust to the new closeness.

Every subtle movement, the way he adjusted to her, made her heart beat faster, a fluttering rhythm that matched the sudden warmth pooling in her chest.

Jae’s hands rested lightly on her waist, supporting her without pressing, giving her just enough room to feel the intimate closeness without overwhelming pressure.

Elise tilted her head back slightly, a soft, airy moan escaping as the warmth of his kiss traveled down her neck. She felt a tingle spreading from her shoulders down her arms, the quiet tension of their closeness wrapping around her like a warm blanket.

She tried to speak, to comment, but words tangled in her throat, leaving only small, breathy sighs and occasional soft exhalations of pleasure at the simple, careful touch of his lips.

The room around them was quiet, save for the faint hum of mana that lingered from earlier training and the soft creak of the chair beneath their movements.

Her hands unconsciously traced small, tentative patterns along his back, feeling the steady warmth of him beneath her fingertips. She leaned into him, her body responding naturally to the closeness, her breathing mixing with his in quiet synchrony.

Every little movement, the tilt of his head, the gentle pressure of his lips, elicited soft, appreciative moans from her, small and shy.

Jae’s kisses were slow and deliberate, each one a soft exploration of familiarity and closeness.

Elise tilted her head slightly to give him access, a quiet laugh slipping out as she pressed back lightly, encouraging without demanding.

Elise’s soft, breathy moans filled the air.