For a change, Vincent didn’t have nightmares. Not about his mother, or anyone else. No good dreams either, for that matter, but at least he had the quiet darkness. He had earned it.

  Until he opened his eyes and woke up in the middle of what truly felt like a dream.

  He swallowed hard.

  Why?

  Because Ayame was asleep, but she wasn't in her own bed. She was in his, practically sprawled on top of him in her pajamas. She was wearing a silky nightgown that didn't leave much to the imagination.

  Did he have a reaction? Of course he did. Rather, he’d had it before he even opened his eyes. It was morning, after all. He didn’t need to do anything special to be ready, so now it was twice as bad. Or twice as good.

  He didn’t even know. He felt like he was floating. This had to be a dream, right? Between the physical reaction and the fact that he had no idea what was happening, how, or why. He felt completely paralyzed, not knowing what to say or how to say it. Much less what to do. Doing anything right now seemed utterly impossible.

  He closed his eyes. Okay, he had to calm down. This could only be a dream. He had gone to sleep in his own bed. He had seen her there. Nothing could have happened. And well, it made no sense that she would have just gotten up and climbed into his bed while he slept, without saying anything. Without warning. Just like that. Because, for the life of him, he couldn’t think of a single reason that would make sense.

  So he had to be dreaming. He slowly opened his eyes, but she was still there.

  It was no dream. Obviously, it was no dream.

  I must have gone crazy, he thought. And if I haven't, I will soon.

  Things did not improve at all. Quite the opposite. He realized that Tara was waking up.

  I have to do something, he thought. But he didn't do a damn thing. He was frozen. So, when Tara sat up, that's what she saw. The first thing she saw. Her two best friends, lying in bed. Together. Not even a friendly hug. Ayame, surely in her sleep, had thrown herself on top of him. In an almost possessive way.

  Tara took a deep breath. “For the love of God. For the love of the gods. Don’t tell me you two fucked with me in the room.”

  Vincent, who had been as red as a tomato from the moment he woke up, now felt so hot it was as if his face were melting. He couldn't see what he looked like, but he could feel it.

  Well, that colorful declaration finally woke Ayame. She sighed, rubbed her eyes, and stretched, her own eyes fluttering open, as if nothing was wrong. She looked at him as if nothing was wrong. Of course, she had made the decision. No one had made it for her.

  “Good morning, Vincent.” She glanced at the other girl. “Good morning, Tara. What’s all the commotion about so early?”

  “Did you screw him?” Tara got straight to the point, again.

  “Screw you?” Ayame repeated hesitantly. “Don’t be silly. I couldn’t sleep otherwise.”

  That was not the answer they had expected. That was for sure. Not Vincent, and not Tara, who reacted as if she’d been slapped.

  “Sex. I mean, did you sleep together. Dammit.”

  Ayame blinked several times, quickly. “Oh, don’t be so silly. We’re friends.”

  Vincent tensed. He had never thought he had a real chance with her. She was too beautiful. Too strong. Too everything. And besides, she knew the truth about him. She knew he was just a blacksmith, not a Knight. But still, that direct rejection, the way she hadn't even had to think about it… well, it hurt. It hurt more than he had ever thought anything could.

  “Yeah. Yeah, well, but…” Even Tara’s voice trembled a little, aware of his pain, he imagined, not just surprised by Ayame’s response.

  “Friends can sleep together too, can’t they?” Ayame frowned. “At least, that’s what I’ve read. Did I do something wrong?” Ayame looked at him. “I know I should have asked you first, but you were so sound asleep. I didn’t want to wake you.”

  The affection in her voice, the pure fondness, was no balm. Not at all. Vincent swallowed, feeling like he was going to be sick.

  At least, that’s what I’ve read.

  That. That’s what I’ve read. It wasn’t the first time she’d made similar comments, or seemed too innocent or ignorant of common-sense things. But now… now… it felt different from all those other times. He forgot his own pain for a moment.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  “It’s okay,” Vincent said. “Why? Why me and not Tara?”

  “Well, I didn’t think about it much. I just didn’t want to sleep alone. I miss Joué climbing into my bed in the middle of the night. I miss… well, I didn’t want to feel alone.”

  That wasn’t an answer, not really. But why me? Ayame suddenly seemed deeply uncomfortable with his insistence. “I… I don’t… well… I don’t know.”

  Admitting that seemed to cost her a great deal. “I don’t know.”

  “Okay,” Vincent finally replied.

  “Okay. It doesn’t matter. Next time, if there is a next time, I’ll ask Tara. I won’t bother you.”

  A vulnerable offer. After all, they were acting as if she had made a grave mistake, and she didn’t understand it. Of course she was hurt and a little scared. Who wouldn’t be in that moment? She didn’t seem like a powerful, confident, untouchable woman. She seemed more like a child.

  “Maybe that’s for the best,” Vincent admitted.

  ——

  It was… it had been the most awkward moment of his life. It didn't comfort him at all to know that wasn't an exaggeration. But at least he had a good excuse to cut it short and leave it behind. Like the dreams he might have had. Or not? While she had held him in her arms… Just because he didn’t remember having dreams or nightmares didn’t mean they hadn’t happened, after all.

  ——

  They had to wait a good while in the hallway outside Elizabeth's office, even though they were the first to arrive. Or at least, the only ones with an appointment today. They certainly didn't see anyone else, either in the hallway or leaving, the whole time they were waiting. A little annoying, but well, that's how things were. At least when they went in, she didn't waste any time. Of course, they greeted each other.

  “Good morning.”

  As if he could be sure of that. As if he was sure of that. But Elizabeth got straight to the point, handing him the paper. Vincent scanned the text that described his next quest. The third of who-knows-how-many-more as punishment. It was quick.

  [New Quest Received: Atonement (3/5) - Population Control]

  Objective: Cull 50 monsters in the outlying territories.

  “Simple and direct,” he finally said, simply.

  “Right. Very well.”

  “You see what?”

  “I see you brought more company today,” Elizabeth said, of course. Her gaze was fixed on Ayame. “But she can’t accompany you.”

  “No,” Ayame said. She didn't sound angry, or worried, or anything like that. But it didn't matter how she sounded.

  Elizabeth had called her out before he could think of anything, but he quickly fell silent, before anything could start. His mind was blank. Elizabeth crossed her arms. Her tone was, well, simple and direct, but not at all pleasant.

  “It's a rule, Vincent. Not a question. As for why, you should have seen this coming. She’s too strong. It would become too easy. That’s all.”

  “Uh-huh. I guess you’re right.”

  Ayame nodded, accepting it easily. At least on the surface.

  “Ayame…” he started uselessly. Again, he couldn’t think of anything to say, so he just placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezing. A small gesture of solidarity that meant very little. The vampiress looked back at him. She seemed to be wondering what he was thinking. As if it wasn’t obvious that she was still hurt and confused by this morning’s events. As if it wasn’t obvious that she had wanted, or needed, to help.

  Okay. Ayame… he didn’t know her as well as he’d like. He didn’t know her as well as her brother or sister. But he knew her.

  Elizabeth glanced at them both but said nothing. She wasn’t being nosy. Still, the look was quite expressive. It clearly said: I’m missing something.

  ——

  They left in silence, but Vincent couldn’t maintain it for long. Even walking through crowded hallways on their way to the exit, he felt the overwhelming need to try again.

  “Ayame… it’s okay.”

  “I wanted to go, but she explained why I can’t, and I understand. Still, we’ll talk when you get back. Seriously, don’t worry about me. I’ll be perfectly fine.”

  What could he say? I don’t believe you. I’ll stay with you. It doesn’t matter what she said. It doesn’t matter what Elizabeth said. Come with us. It’ll be fine if they don’t catch us. No. He couldn’t say any of that.

  Vincent nodded. “Okay. I understand.”

  Tara was walking behind them, watching in silence. Most likely, judging.

  ——

  Tara and Vincent left the building. The quest was on the academy grounds, of course, but not very close to the main building. No. It was going to be a good walk, and it would also give them time to talk, though he wasn’t sure that was a good thing.

  His suspicions were confirmed soon enough.

  “I’m really sorry about what happened this morning,” Tara said. “I had just woken up, and, well, I panicked. I should have thought about my words more carefully.”

  He appreciated the sentiment, but in the end, that would have only postponed the inevitable. “Why? At least this way, things are clear. A rejection is better than feeding empty hopes.”

  “Oh, please,” Tara sighed. “In many ways, she’s like a child. Do you really think she’s aware that you feel rejected?”

  “I guess not. But what do you mean?”

  “I mean, just because she said you’re friends, that you’re just friends, doesn’t mean it’s true, damn it,” she yelled, putting her hands on her head. “It’s too soon for you to lose hope.”

  Too soon, he repeated slowly, under his breath. He didn’t entirely agree, but it was true that he had given up too soon. Before even trying. How could he accept defeat in a fight he hadn’t even fought? That was the path of a coward. He wanted to escape now to protect his feelings, while hiding behind the thought that at least he had been honest. That he had tried. Even though it was a transparent lie.

  “I’ll help you with her, okay?” With a bow and arrow, of course. Tense. And alert. “I can’t promise you anything, but I’ll do my best.”

  “You’d do that for me?”

  “You’re my friend, you idiot.” She looked like she wanted to shout that, too. “There are few things I wouldn’t do for you.”

  Vincent nodded, looking away and back down the path they were on. “I don’t know if I deserve that, but thank you.”

  Tara didn’t try to convince him he deserved it, even if she thought otherwise. She let the silence fall over them again. She let the conversation rest, at least, so he could focus on what really mattered now. Yes. If he didn't do things right, it didn't matter how he felt about Ayame; he wouldn't be able to keep his spot at the academy. So he had to focus, give it his all, and then, well, then they could talk.

  Ayame would be waiting for them. That’s what she’d said. They could talk, for better or for worse. With Tara, too, of course, a conversation that he somehow felt would be easier to screw up, to put his foot in it all the way. Well, time would tell, like everything in life.