Page 24 of Trivium

And maybe, deep down, there was a part of her that thought if she ruined their relationship, it would make saying goodbye easier.

Not in her wildest dreams did she imagine ending up here, sharing a dorm room with Kumani at the Academy.

“We should set some ground rules,” Loveleena said, eager to create as many barriers between her and Kumani as possible.

Kumani eyed her from the other side of the room. “Okay.”

“I don’t want to get in the way of your… studies.”

Pain from their breakup shadowed Kumani’s eyes, and guilt for what Loveleena had done cinched her chest. She continued, ignoring it. “So, let’s just stay out of each other's way.”

Kumani glared at her for a moment, her eyes drifting off somewhere else, before she nodded in agreement. “What are you even doing here anyway?” Her accusation filled the room.

“What do you mean?”

“You never wanted to come here, to learn, to train, to be a Defender?” She bunched up her sleeping gown and threw it on the bed. “So, why are you here? To torture me?”

“I… I guess I changed my mind.” Loveleena suddenly felt hot. It wasn’t a complete lie.

“You changed your mind?” Kumani’s words were slick, dripping over her.

She crossed her arms, grimacing. “Yes.”

Shaking her head, Kumani picked up her nightgown and folded it. She didn’t believe her.

“And honestly, I think it’s best we don’t talk to each other.” Loveleena’s words were cruel—she knew it even as they left her mouth and hurt registered in Kumani’s eyes—but being cold was the only way to get Kumani off her back.

Kumani’s eyebrows twisted slightly. “Fine.”

“Good.”

After Kumani finished unpacking, she went into the attached washroom to freshen up. While Kumani bathed, Loveleena stared up at the ceiling, her mind running through all the possible ways to track down more information on Park.

“Aren’t you going to get dressed?” Kumani said, returning from the washroom. She wore a two-piece silk gown in lavender purple with silver embroidery. Delicate straps hung on her shoulders, the gap in between the top and skirt showing off her toned midriff. Her wrists were decorated with matching silver bracelets, and her right ankle held a delicate sapphire chain.

She looked beautiful.

And lethal. She had been training for this. Loveleena’s gaze dragged over her collarbone, shoulders, and abdomen, all defined as if she were a marble statue. Of course, Loveleena wasn’t a stranger to Kumani’s body. But here, at the Academy, she looked like she belonged.

“I thought we weren’t talking,” Loveleena said, averting her eyes.

“Right,” Kumani said, adjusting her skirt. When she looked up at Loveleena again, her eyes posed the question.

“Ughhh.” Loveleena threw her arms up in the air. “I don’t have a gown.”

Kumani’s eyebrows raised but she stayed silent.

“I don’t have a gown because I decided to come here… last minute and didn’t pack anything.” She chose her words carefully.

“You can’t just come here last minute… That’s not—you need to be accepted. How is that⁠—”

“Nevermind,” Loveleena cut her off, avoiding any further questions. “We’re not talking anyway, right?”

Kumani’s stare was piercing. But after a moment, she sighed, and pulled out a folded emerald green silk gown and handed it to Loveleena. She didn’t say anything. She didn’t need to.

Fifteen minutes later, Loveleena had squeezed into the gown. What was loose on Kumani’s petite frame hugged every one of Loveleena’s curves. But the fabric was stunning, adorned with pear beading and gold flower stitch patterns. It somehow still looked perfect on her. She threw her thick black hair into a high pony just like Serena’s had been earlier.

When she emerged from the washroom, Kumani had disappeared. Off to the Gala already, Loveleena assumed.