Page 69 of Unseen Eye
“I still have nightmares about that mud,” Theo says, shaking his head.
Izzy smirks. “You should have seen Father’s face when you two walked in. Priceless.”
I lose track of time and the glasses of alcohol we’ve poured. Eventually, Theo stands up and stretches. “Whelp, guys, this was fun, but this general is turning in for the night. Don’t think this gets you out of training in the morning, Eva. I still expect to see you bright and early. I’ve got a big day planned.”
“Cheers to that,” I say, raising my glass and finishing the last of the contents.
“Right behind you, big brother,” Izzy says, following him out.
“Pfftt,” Theo scoffs over his shoulder, “I’m older than you by three minutes.”
Izzy rolls her eyes, staggering slightly. “And that makes you wise beyond your years, I’m sure.”
“Then there were two,” Callon jokes as the door shuts behind Izzy.
“Can’t you use your princely powers to get me out of training tomorrow?” I ask, swaying slightly, half-joking, half-serious.
Callon raises an eyebrow, his lips quirking in amusement. “Princely powers?”
“Yeah, you know, ‘No training tomorrow for Eva,’” I say, attempting to mimic his voice, which probably sounds nothing like him but feels just right in my current state.
Callon tilts his head back and laughs, a deep, genuine laugh that fills the room. His blue eyes glisten like sunlight dancing on water, and I find myself drawn in, unable to look away.
“I don’t sound anything like that,” he manages between laughs.
“You’re beautiful when you laugh. Did you know that?” I blurt out, realizing how much I’m actually feeling it, but not caring one bit.
Callon laughs a second longer before meeting my gaze. “And you’re drunk.”
“Doesn’t mean I can’t admit you’re beautiful,” I say with a shrug, reaching for more alcohol.
“Oh no,” Callon says, moving the bottle out of my reach. “I think you’ve had enough for one night.”
“Please, Your Majesty, just one more glass?” I plead, too drunk to use my power to bring it closer.
“Nice try,” he says, then chuckles. His eyes dropping briefly to my lips before he meets my gaze again. “Now let’s get you to bed. Come on, I’ll walk you to your room.”
“I’m a strong, independent woman, I’ll have you know,” I begin, attempting to stand with a touch of dignity. “I am perfectly capable of—”
I stumble over the edge of the rug, and suddenly, an invisible force steadies me before I fall. I glance up at Callon, noticing his irises glimmering with a faint glow before fading back to their usual deep blue. So it was him who caught me the first time, too.
“Come on, Miss Independent,” he says, placing his hand on the small of my back, guiding us out of the room and up the staircase.
“I think we took a wrong turn somewhere,” I mutter, blinking as I look at the steps. “I don’t remember there being this many stairs.”
Callon chuckles softly, his hand still steady on my back. “We’re almost there.”
As we reach my bedroom door, I turn to face Callon and find him staring at me with an unreadable expression.
“A thought for a thought?” he asks.
“You first.”
“Oh no, ladies first, I insist.”
“Pftt, you and your manners,” I mutter. “Fine.” I take a deep breath and say the very thing I’ve been thinking about all evening. “I think you’re nothing like I expected you to be.”
That seems to catch him off guard. “And what were you expecting?” he whispers, stepping closer.
