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He thinks for a moment. "Watching dragons decide whether I'm worth listening to."

I can't help it. I laugh. Quietly. "You compare me to dragons?"

"No." A beat. "They're easier."

Across the room, Rowan has somehow convinced Nyra to smile. I have absolutely no idea how. Professor Vayne notices. "Miss Valenne." Nyra straightens. "What changed?"

She hesitates. "I stopped trying to make Rowan move."

"And?"

A pause. "I started wondering why she wouldn't."

Professor Vayne nods once. "What did you discover?"

Nyra glances toward Rowan. "That she's waiting for me to stop treating this like a contest."

Professor Vayne smiles. "Good."

He says nothing else. But Nyra's expression changes. She looks back at Rowan. Really looks. Then Without a word she takes one small step closer. Not backward. Closer. Rowan's eyebrows rise. Nyra extends one hand. Not touching. Simply offering. Rowan studies it. Then laughs softly. She takes one step backward.

Professor Vayne says only— "Excellent."

The room falls quiet. Everyone has seen it. Nyra didn't command. She invited. Again. I glance toward them. Only for a second.

When I look back Rhyven is sitting on the floor. I blink. "What." He folds one knee comfortably. Looks entirely unconcerned.

"What are you doing?" I ask.

"Waiting."

"For what?"

"You."

I stare. "You sat down."

"I did."

"Why?"

"Because you expected me to prove you right." He says in an amused tone.

"I don't understand."

"I know." He rests both forearms casually across one knee. "You expected me to push." He adds.

"I assumed you'd try." I admit.

"You also assumed I'd enjoy it."

"Wouldn't you?" I ask.

"No." He says it so simply that I believe him. "I've spent the last week watching people decide who I am before speaking to me." The words aren't angry. Just factual. "You included." Heat rises into my cheeks. "I..."

He shrugs. "It happens." He looks around the room. "You think because I swear, because I fight, because I'm usually irritated, that I enjoy dominating people." I don't answer. Because he's right. "I don't."

Silence settles between us. A different kind this time.