Darkened Crown

Chapter 4: Shelved Temptations

The afternoon sun filtered through the trees, bathing the courtyard in warm, golden light. The vibrant green of the grass contrasted sharply with the dark uniforms of Kingsley Academy students scattered across the grounds. Seraphina was sprawled on the grass, her head resting on Fiona's lap, eyes closed as she soaked up the last rays of sunlight. Lucas, sitting nearby with Elena, was animatedly recounting his latest misadventures with a mischievous grin.

"And then, just as the principal walked by, I accidentally hit the fire alarm!" Lucas exclaimed, his face lighting up with a mixture of pride and embarrassment.

Fiona giggled, gently running her fingers through Seraphina's hair. "You're always getting into trouble, Lucas."

Seraphina smirked, her eyes still closed. "It's a talent, really," she murmured. "One we should probably lock away."

Lucas leaned back with a dramatic sigh. "Oh, come on, Sera. Where's your sense of adventure?"

"Safely tucked away with my common sense," she replied without missing a beat, eliciting a burst of laughter from the group.

Elena leaned closer, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Speaking of common sense, have you seen the way people are staring at the new guy, Adrian?"

Seraphina's eyes flicked open at the mention of Adrian's name, but she quickly masked her interest with a casual shrug. "Everyone loves a good mystery," she said. "And he certainly fits the bill."

Lucas snorted. "Mystery or not, the guy looks like he hasn't smiled since birth. Kind of like you, Sera," he teased, dodging the playful swat Seraphina aimed at his head.

"Funny," Seraphina replied, sitting up and stretching. "But unlike him, I have a soul. Anyway, I need to grab a book from the library. Be back soon."

Fiona pouted. "Leave us in the middle of all the fun? Who will keep Lucas in line?"

Seraphina laughed. "You'll manage. Don't let him set anything on fire."

With a playful wink, she turned and headed toward the library, their laughter trailing behind her, but her thoughts already elsewhere.

---

In the Library

The library was quiet, the kind of silence that held its breath. Seraphina slipped through the heavy wooden doors, enjoying the solitude. She made her way to the literature section, the familiar scent of old books and polished wood wrapping around her like a comforting embrace.

She scanned the shelves, her eyes landing on a book perched high above. It was the one she needed, but it was annoyingly out of reach. With a determined sigh, she stretched up on her tiptoes, fingers just grazing the bottom of the spine. She tried again, standing as tall as she could, but it was still no use.

Just as she was about to give up, she felt a presence behind her—a cold rush down her spine that made her shiver. Then, almost instantly, the cold was replaced by a warm, solid weight pressing against her back. She froze, her breath catching in her throat.

A low voice, smooth and dark, brushed against her ear. "Need some help?"

Her pulse quickened. She knew that voice. Adrian.

He was so close, too close. She could feel his breath on her neck, his chest firm against her back. Her heart raced, her body betraying her usual calm facade. She didn't move, didn't dare turn around.

"You know," she said, trying to keep her voice steady, "there's this thing called personal space."

Adrian chuckled softly, a sound that sent a delicious shiver down her spine. "I've heard of it," he murmured, his voice deep and teasing. "But it seems overrated."

He reached up, his arm brushing against hers, and grabbed the book with effortless ease. For a moment, his hand lingered, his fingers grazing hers as he handed it to her. The touch was light, but it was enough to send a spark through her entire body.

She turned to face him, her back still pressed against the shelves. He was close, too close. His eyes, a deep, dark brown, locked onto hers with a mix of amusement and something else—something dangerous.

"Thanks," she managed, her voice barely more than a whisper.

Adrian didn't move back. Instead, he leaned in, his face just inches from hers, his breath warm against her cheek. "You're welcome," he said softly, his voice carrying a hint of a challenge. "But I'm curious... why do you pretend to be so untouchable?"

Seraphina's heart hammered in her chest. She swallowed hard, forcing herself to meet his gaze. "Maybe because I am," she shot back, trying to sound more confident than she felt.

His lips twitched into a small, enigmatic smile. "Or maybe you're just waiting for someone bold enough to try."

His words hung in the air between them, heavy with implication. Seraphina's breath hitched as his gaze flicked down to her lips for a fleeting moment, making her heart skip a beat.

Why did her body betray her like this, leaning closer to him, when every rational thought screamed to pull away? Why did he make her feel... exposed?

Adrian's gaze softened for a split second, and for a moment, she thought he might step back. But then his fingers brushed a loose strand of hair away from her face, his touch lingering longer than necessary.

The gesture was unexpected, intimate—too intimate.

Seraphina's breath hitched. Her mind screamed to push him away, but her body betrayed her, leaning slightly into his touch. His hand paused, and his eyes flicked down to her lips for a heartbeat before returning to her eyes.

Then, just as suddenly as he had appeared, Adrian stepped back, leaving her feeling strangely cold, his presence a palpable void. He handed her the book, his expression unreadable. "See you around, Seraphina," he said quietly, before turning and walking away, leaving her standing there, her heart racing and her mind spinning.

She stared at the book in her hands, but the words blurred. What was he doing to her? She hated feeling off-balance, but somehow, she couldn't shake the thrill of it.

She watched him disappear around the corner, a thousand thoughts racing through her mind. What was he playing at? And why, despite everything, did she feel a strange thrill at his touch?

She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. Adrian Knight was dangerous, and she needed to keep her distance. But a small, traitorous part of her wondered if she truly wanted to.

---

Returning to her friends, Seraphina kept her expression calm, though her mind was still spinning with thoughts of Adrian. Lucas noticed her coming and grinned, waving her over.

"Did you survive the horrors of the library?" he asked, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

"More or less," she replied, trying to sound casual as she sat down beside them.

Fiona looked at her curiously. "You're blushing, Sera. Did something happen?"

Seraphina rolled her eyes, though a small smile played at her lips. "Nothing worth mentioning."

Elena leaned in, her voice a teasing whisper. "Or maybe someone worth mentioning?"

Seraphina just laughed, shaking her head. "You all read too many romance novels."

Lucas sighed dramatically. "One of these days, Sera, you're going to meet someone who breaks through that icy exterior."

"Good luck to them," Seraphina retorted, but her thoughts drifted back to Adrian, to the feel of his touch, the heat in his gaze.

For the first time in a long while, Seraphina felt like maybe... just maybe... she'd met her match.

---

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