Chapter 35 - Brighter Than Before
The pub was lively, lanternlight flickering against polished wood, the air thick with the chatter of Korth locals unwinding after the week. Caelan held the door open, and Alena stepped inside, smoothing the skirt of her dress. She looked around as though stepping into another world, wide-eyed, a little nervous.
Devon was already there, lounging in a corner booth with a glass of wine in hand. His tie was loosened, sleeves rolled up, hair slightly mussed as though he’d run a careless hand through it on his way over. He looked perfectly at ease, the kind of man who made anywhere feel like his haunt.
He noticed them instantly, sitting straighter with a spark of amusement in his eye. “There you are. I was starting to think I’d been stood up.” He rose to greet them, his gaze flicking over Alena in a slow but unthreatening sweep, genuine admiration softening his grin. “Well. Look at you, Alena. You clean up beautifully.”
Alena flushed, ducking her head.
Caelan grunted as he slid into the booth. “Don’t encourage her.”
Devon’s brows arched, a lazy smile playing at his mouth. “Encourage her? I was giving a compliment. You ought to try it sometime.”
“She made me sit through a fashion show last night,” Caelan muttered, reaching for his drink. “Three outfits. Accessories. The whole ordeal.”
Devon blinked once, then chuckled low in his throat. “You? Sitting through that?” He leaned back, shaking his head. “Saints preserve me. That’s better than anything I could’ve imagined.” His grin turned toward Alena. “So, this was the winning dress? I’ve got to hand it to you. You chose well.”
Alena tried not to beam too obviously as she smoothed her skirt again. Caelan scowled into his drink, but didn’t argue. The evening unfolded easily. The three of them traded conversation, Devon spinning anecdotes that had Alena leaning forward eagerly, then teasing Caelan with a boyish sort of mischief that earned him more than one withering look.
At one point, Devon glanced at Alena curiously. “So, Alena. When you’re not buried in dispatch work, what do you read?”
She hesitated, then said softly, “Romance novels.”
Devon’s grin widened, but not mockingly. “Good choice. You’ve got taste, then. I’ve read a few myself. Moonlit Garden, for one. Cheesy title, but it’s a damn good story.”
Her eyes lit up. “You’ve read Moonlit Garden?”
“Of course I have. What, did you think I was all dusty grimoires and divination charts?” He smirked, sipping his wine. “I’ve got range, Alena.”
Her smile was so bright it almost startled her. Caelan, watching quietly, told himself this was good. This was what she wanted. What she deserved.
Later, the three were discussing some of Alena’s current favourite books.
“I believe in true love,” Alena said earnestly, cheeks warm with the conviction of it. “The kind that changes everything. That’s worth waiting for.”
Devon tilted his head, thoughtful. “Well, I don’t disagree. But it doesn’t just fall into your lap, y’know. You’ve got to want it. Chase it. Hold on tight once it’s in reach. Otherwise, it’s just a daydream.”
Caelan snorted, dry. “Gods, Devon. Stop filling her head with ideas.”
Alena pouted at him. “Oh, you’re such a pessimistic old man.”
Caelan blinked, startled. “Old man? Excuse you, missy, but Devon and I are the same age.”
She froze, like a rabbit caught mid-step. Her face turned scarlet.
Devon laughed low and long, shaking his head. “Oh, that’s priceless. You really thought I was younger than Caelan, didn’t you.” He leaned back in his seat, smirking. “She’s not wrong, though. You do act twice my age most times, mate.”
Caelan glared. Alena buried her face in her hands. Devon only chuckled again, eyes glittering as they lingered on her. “Adorable. Absolutely adorable.”
Alena’s stomach fluttered like she’d stepped into one of her books.
After a while, Devon leaned toward Caelan. “Step out for a smoke?”
Caelan sighed but rose. “Fine.”
Alena blinked. “Oh. You’re both leaving me?”
“Just for a moment,” Devon said smoothly, already pulling a cigarette from his case. “Don’t miss us too much, Alena.”
She pouted as they slipped outside, feeling strangely abandoned.
While she sat waiting, the barmaid wandered over, leaning a hip against the table. “Another drink for you, love?”
Alena nodded. “Sweet tea, please.”
The barmaid grinned, jotting it down. Then her eyes flicked toward the doorway, sly. “So. Which of those two handsome gents is yours?”
Alena nearly choked. “Neither! No, absolutely not!” Her face flamed so hot she thought she might combust.
The barmaid hummed like she didn’t believe her, smirking. “Shame. I’d choose both.” She laughed rowdily and sauntered back to the bar. Alena sat frozen, mortified. But once the initial panic settled, the question lingered. She thought of Devon. Confident, charming, quick with words that made her feel seen. Then her mind, unbidden, flicked to Caelan. Steady, quiet, strong. Handsome in a completely different way. She shook her head violently. No. That was ridiculous. Caelan was her housemate. Her protector. Thinking of him that way was… absurd.
Still, when the two men returned, smoke clinging to their jackets, she found herself sneaking glances at Caelan while they resumed their conversation.
And then, out of nowhere, Devon turned to her with casual ease. “Alena. Give me your crystalink number.”
Her heart skipped a beat. “O-oh. Um, sure.” She fumbled with her device, cheeks blazing, and passed it over.
Devon entered his details with a smirk before handing it back. “There. Now I can drag you to bookstores and antique shops when I’m bored. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Alena cradled her crystalink like it was something precious, smiling so hard her face hurt. Caelan, beside her, swirled his drink slowly, expression unreadable.
The night air was cool and still when Caelan and Alena stepped out of the pub. Lanternlight spilled across the cobblestones, casting long shadows as they walked side by side. Alena looked as though she might float off the ground at any moment, her face glowing with excitement. She lightly tapped on Caelan’s arm, her smile warm and earnest. “Thank you for bringing me along, Caelan. I can’t remember the last time I had this much fun.”
His lips curved in a faint smile. “You’re welcome, Alena.”
But she wasn’t done. Her voice bubbled over as she went on, “Did you see him though? His tie loosened, hair a little messy. He looked so handsome like that.” She squealed softly at the memory, hiding her grin behind her hands.
Caelan huffed, shaking his head. “You’re hopeless.”
She only laughed, unbothered.
Still, as they walked, he found himself studying the way her smile seemed to light her whole face. For the first time in too long, she looked unburdened. Bright. Radiant. And Caelan realized, with quiet certainty, that he wanted to protect that light. Whatever else might come of it, he didn’t want to see it dim.
At home, Alena disappeared to wash up, padding back into the sitting room in a loose shirt and short shorts, her hair damp at the ends. A well-loved romantasy novel was tucked under her arm.
“I’ve got the kettle going,” she announced, curling up beside him on the couch. “I’ll make us tea.”
Caelan, already settled with reports in hand and his own matching pyjama set, glanced at her. “Thank you.”
The quiet of the evening was broken by the sudden, cheerful chime of Alena’s crystalink. She brightened immediately, scooping it up. “Oh! It’s from Devon!” she gasped, practically bouncing. She shuffled closer to Caelan, holding the glowing device up for him to see. “Look, look! Devon’s texting me!”
She didn’t seem to notice the way her folded legs rested against his thigh, her shoulder leaning comfortably against his side. Too defenceless, Caelan thought, forcing himself to keep his expression neutral. She trusted him so implicitly it was disarming.
The two sat like that for a while, Alena tapping furiously at her crystalink while Caelan tried, and failed, to focus on his paperwork. Every so often, she giggled or sighed dreamily, the sound tugging at something in his chest.
Then, suddenly, she squealed again, smacking his shoulder with her palm. Caelan startled, looking over. “What?”
Alena beamed, thrusting the crystalink toward him. “Devon just asked me to go shopping with him next weekend. For his mum’s birthday present!” She grinned so brightly it almost hurt to look at her. “You know what that means, right? You’ll have to sit through another fashion show before then.”
Caelan groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “Spare me.”
But in truth, the idea didn’t bother him. Not really. If it meant seeing her this happy again… he could endure worse.
Alena leaned back with a satisfied sigh, clutching her crystalink close like it was something precious.
After a moment of silence, Caelan asked dryly, “Are you ever going to make that tea you promised, or should I fetch it myself?”
Alena’s eyes went wide. “The kettle! Oh, gods, right!” She scrambled off the couch in a flurry, hurrying toward the kitchen.
Left behind, Caelan watched her retreating figure with eyes softer than he’d ever admit. He set his reports aside, exhaling slowly. His mind yet again wondering, what had he gotten himself into?