Just like before.

He forced himself to finish his meal in silence, each bite tasting like ash. The rest of the day blurred together, classes passed without meaning, words of lectures slipping through his mind as though none of it mattered. All he could think about was the look in her eyes when she said it   that mocking glint, as though she could see through him.

By the time he reached his dorm, dusk had already begun to creep across the courtyard. The faint scent of lavender met him at the door, curling around his sense like smoke. sitting neatly atop his desk was a folded envelope pressed with the the Arlowe seal.

His gut twisted.

Breaking the wax, he unfolded the parchment with careful hands, bracing for whatever trap she'd set this time. But there was no accusation, no elaborate taunt   just a single, elegant line written in sweeping script.

"House Arlowe recommends Dr. Ash. He is a fantastic therapist."

At the bottom, signed in delicate flourish:

Sincerely,

Seraphine Arlowe

For a long moment Kael just stared, the words burning in his vision, the scent of lavender cloying in his nose. His hand clenched around the parchment until it crupmled, the edges cutting into his already raw palm.

"Mocking me..." he whispered, voice low and hoarse.

But the echo filled his chest was not rage. It was something colder, emptier   like the past was swallowing him whole all over again.