Evaline:
Even Mr. Wood had to do a double take when I stepped into the parking lot of the Council headquarters.
He blinked as his eyes scanned me from head to toe. I knew I was looking nothing like I was this morning when he dropped me here. Now, with soft waves in my silver hair, a little bit of makeup, and jewelry lending me a glow I didn’t usually wear, I probably was looking like someone else entirely.
But, to his credit, he didn’t let his surprise linger. He quickly slipped on his professional expression, cleared his throat, and opened the car door for me.
"Where to, Miss Evaline?" he asked as if sensing I might not be returning to the Academy
"Willowcross," I replied, unable to hide the slight tremble in my voice.
He said nothing, just nodded and started driving.
It was a calm, silent ride. The late evening sky outside was slowly deepening into the richer hues of dusk, and my nerves were beginning to catch up with me. I kept fidgeting with the sleeves of my shirt, mentally repeating that it was just dinner. With my mate. A dinner. A date. No big deal.
Except it was a big deal.
Mr. Wood dropped me outside a charming little bakery. The town of Willowcross was quaint, warm, and alive even during this hour. I spotted people walking their dogs, kids riding bicycles, and soft music floating out from the stores.
I moved to a corner and called Draven.
"I’m outside the Sugar Garden bakery," I told him.
"I’m a minute away."
Exactly sixty seconds later, a sleek black car rolled to a smooth stop in front of me.
The driver’s door opened, and my heart forgot how to beat as Draven stepped out.
He was dressed for the occasion in a black button-up shirt that was hugging his lean, powerful frame perfectly, paired with a dark coat and slacks. A pair of sunglasses was shielding his eyes despite the sun already setting, and a black mask was covering the lower half of his face.
Of course. We were in public, and this was a town close to the Academy. Any person walking on these streets could recognize him when paid enough attention.
Still, even with most of his face covered, I was able to feel his eyes on me.
He walked over, opened the passenger door for me with a slight bow of his head like a perfect gentleman.
"Milady," he murmured.
I smiled despite myself and slid into the seat, clutching my bag on my lap to calm my nerves.
Once he got in, he started the car and pulled away from the curb. For the first few minutes, there was only silence - comfortable but charged.
Then he peeked at me.
"You really said yes," he said with a soft smile in his voice. "I didn’t think you would."
"I almost didn’t," I admitted, feeling my cheeks heating up.
He chuckled, and the sound was low and smooth. "Well, I’m glad you did."
His eyes scanned me quickly, and I noticed appreciation shining behind his shades. "You look beautiful tonight," he said sincerely. "Did you put on makeup just for me?"
I tried to roll my eyes, but my smile gave me away.
"I didn’t have time to go back and change," I said. "So... let’s just say, it was a team effort."
He raised a brow. "Should I be thanking someone else for helping my mate look this stunning?"
"Maybe," I said with a smile. "But you can thank me for saying yes."
He laughed again. "Deal."
We fell into conversation easily after that. We talked about our week, upcoming classes, and things we had learned. He congratulated me on getting an A in my latest trial and called me brilliant. When I learned he had also aced his physical combat assessment, we both agreed the night called for a double celebration.
Half an hour later, he pulled into the parking lot of a cozy and warm looking restaurant, with vines trailing up the outside and golden lights glowing through the windows.
He walked around the car and opened my door again. Every action he made tonight was so gentle, so considerate, it softened something in me I didn’t even realize had gone tense.
He led me inside, and the hostess guided us not to the main dining area, but toward a private room.
The door opened to reveal a softly lit space, decorated with candles, a small chandelier overhead, and a single round table set for two. Gentle music was playing from hidden speakers.
I turned to him as the door shut behind us.
"You planned all of this?"
He pulled down his mask and removed his sunglasses, revealing his full face for the first time tonight.
"I wanted to make this night special," he said. "For both of us."
And it was.
Dinner was delicious - steamed vegetables, herb-marinated grilled chicken, and a velvety cream pasta that melted in my mouth. Dessert was a decadent chocolate mousse with a tart raspberry drizzle.
But it wasn’t just the food. It was the way he listened so attentively, the way he smiled every time I laughed, the way he kept sliding tiny compliments into the conversation like he couldn’t help himself.
"I think I’m starting to like this date thing," I said between bites.
He raised his juice glass. "Then here’s to our first of many."
By the time we finished eating, I thought the night couldn’t get any sweeter. But then, slow music filled the air.
He stood and offered me his hand.
"May I have this dance?"
I stared at him.
"There’s no one here," I said with a small smile.
"Exactly," he replied, "so no one can judge my dancing."
Laughing, I placed my hand in his and he pulled me close. His one hand moved to rest on my waist, while other was holding my hand gently.
We swayed us to the music, and my heart swayed with us.
It felt... safe. Real. Like something I had been longing for without knowing.
The music faded, but he didn’t step back right away. He let his hand slide down and reached into his coat pocket.
"I got you something," he murmured.
And then he pulled out a small velvet box.