The Long Way Back | Lady Lesso

Chapter 22

The days following the kiss were a whirlwind of unspoken emotions and stolen glances. You were hyperaware of every interaction with Lady Lesso now—the way her fingers lingered on a piece of parchment as she passed it to you, the way her gaze seemed to follow you even when she pretended not to notice.

But there was also a distance. The carefully maintained facade she wore in front of the other students felt more impenetrable than ever. You could feel the weight of her restraint, the effort it took for her to act as if nothing had changed between you.

For your part, keeping up appearances was no easy feat. Every time you saw her, memories of that night—the softness of her lips, the fire in her touch—came rushing back, threatening to consume you. And though she hadn't said it aloud, you could see the same struggle in her eyes.

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It was during one of her lessons that the tension finally reached its breaking point.

You sat at your usual place near the front of the room, trying to focus on the lecture. Lady Lesso moved with her usual grace, her crimson cloak billowing as she paced the room, but her words seemed sharper than usual, her tone more clipped.

"...and if you cannot control the chaos within yourself," she said, her piercing gaze sweeping across the room, "how can you hope to command the chaos around you?"

Her eyes landed on you, and for a brief moment, the mask slipped. There was something raw in her expression—something meant only for you.

The silence that followed was deafening. You could feel the other students shifting uncomfortably, their unease palpable. Lesso's gaze lingered a second too long before she tore it away, continuing her lesson as if nothing had happened.

But something had happened. And you couldn't shake the feeling that whatever was brewing between the two of you was about to come to a head.

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That evening, you found yourself wandering the halls, your thoughts a tangled mess. You had barely made it halfway to the library when a voice stopped you in your tracks.

"Y/N."

You turned to see Lady Lesso standing in the shadows, her expression unreadable. Without a word, she motioned for you to follow her.

She led you to the Hall of Mirrors, a secluded and rarely used part of the school. The towering mirrors reflected distorted versions of yourselves, casting an eerie glow over the room.

Lesso turned to face you, her arms crossed. "What are you doing?" she asked, her voice low but intense.

You blinked, confused. "What do you mean?"

"I see the way you look at me," she said, stepping closer. "Do you have any idea how dangerous this is? For both of us?"

Your heart pounded as you met her gaze. "I didn't ask for this," you said, your voice trembling but resolute. "But I can't ignore it. And I don't think you can, either."

Lesso's jaw tightened, her composure slipping. "This isn't about what I want," she said. "It's about what's at stake. If anyone finds out—"

"No one will," you interrupted, taking a step closer. "I trust you. Don't you trust me?"

Her eyes softened, and for a moment, the vulnerability she so carefully concealed was laid bare. "Of course I trust you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

You reached out, your fingers brushing against hers. She didn't pull away.

"This thing between us," you said, your voice steady despite the storm raging inside you, "it's real. I know you feel it too."

Lesso closed her eyes, her breath hitching. "You're impossible," she murmured, though there was no malice in her tone.

"Then stop fighting it," you said, stepping closer until there was barely any space between you.

For a long moment, neither of you moved. The air between you was electric, charged with the weight of everything you couldn't say aloud.

Finally, Lesso's resolve crumbled. She closed the distance between you, her hands coming to rest on your shoulders as her lips captured yours in a kiss that was both fierce and tender.

This time, there was no hesitation, no second-guessing. Her hands slid down to your waist, pulling you closer as your arms wrapped around her neck. The world outside faded away, leaving only the two of you and the fire burning between you.

When you finally broke apart, both of you were breathing heavily. Lesso rested her forehead against yours, her fingers tracing gentle patterns on your waist.

"This is madness," she said, though there was no conviction in her voice.

"Then let's be mad together," you replied, a small smile tugging at your lips.

Lesso chuckled softly, her breath warm against your skin. "You'll be the death of me, Y/N."

You smiled, your heart swelling with a mixture of exhilaration and affection. "I think we'll survive."

For the first time in what felt like forever, Lesso allowed herself to relax, her walls lowering just enough for you to see the woman behind the mask. It was a glimpse of something rare and precious, and you vowed to cherish it.

As the two of you stood there in the quiet of the Hall of Mirrors, the weight of the world seemed to lift, if only for a moment. Whatever challenges lay ahead, you knew you would face them together.