<h4>Chapter 666: Change In Punishment</h4>


    <strong>Evaline:</strong>


    I watched Oscar leave for a moment longer than necessary, my fingers unconsciously tracing the edge of the keycard on the table.


    Then I let out a small breath and turned back to the two men in front of me.


    River was watching me. Not in that intense, unreadable way he usually did... but with a quiet softness.


    Before he could say anything, I leaned forward slightly and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek, catching him off guard.


    His brows lifted just a fraction, the smallest hint of surprise crossing his otherwiseposed face.


    "Thank you," I said softly. "For changing Kyros’ punishment."


    River exhaled quietly and rested his hand on the back of my head. His fingers threaded briefly through my hair before he gently patted it, making warmth bloom in my chest.


    "He has already paid more than enough for his mistake," he said. There was no harshness in his tone. Only calm certainty.


    I swallowed softly.


    "And even these two months of detention," he continued, a faint frown touching his lips, "feel harsher than necessary."


    My heart softened further.


    Before I could respond, his hand moved from my hair to my face, his palm cupping my cheek gently. His thumb brushed just beneath my eye, lingering there as his gaze held mine.


    "You were brave," he said.


    The words were simple, but the weight behind them wasn’t.


    "What you didst night..." he added quietly, "not many could have done that."


    A small breath left me as his words settled deep within my heart.


    "I’m proud of you," he finished.


    Something in my chest tightened. Because I knew how much it meant,ing from him.


    Even if...


    "You were worried," I said softly as a faint smile spread across my lips.


    A small huff of breath escaped him, almost amused. "You made it very difficult not to be."


    I let out a quietugh, leaning forward just enough to press a soft kiss to his lips this time.


    "Thank you," I whispered again. "And... I’m sorry."


    His expression softened further. Instead of answering with words, he leaned down and ced a gentle kiss against my lips, keeping it brief but warm.


    "I know," he said.


    I turned toward Kieran next. He had been watching the entire exchange with a soft, knowing smile.


    "I’m sorry," I said to him too. "For worrying you."


    His smile widened slightly as he reached out and flicked my forehead lightly. "You say that like you didn’t nearly give me a heart attack," he said.


    I scrunched my nose.


    "I was handling it," I defended weakly.


    "Barely," he countered.


    But before I could argue further, he stood up and leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to my temple.


    "Just... don’t do that again," he murmured.


    I nodded."I’ll try."


    A quiet moment settled between us before I spoke again. "There’s something else."


    Both of them looked at me.


    "I want to work with the elders," I continued. "After New Year."


    River’s brows drew together slightly. He asked, "On what?"


    I took a small breath before answering, "On something I have been working on... something that might help the soul death patients... wake up."


    That got their full attention. Kieran straightened slightly, and River’s gaze sharpened.


    They exchanged a look and a silent conversation passed between them. And then they both nodded.


    "I’ll arrange everything," River said. "With Elder Morwen, Penn... and Elder Ren."


    A small smile appeared on my lips. "Thank you."


    He shook his head slightly. "No," he said. "Thank <i>you</i>."


    Kieran added softly, "You don’t have to carry everything alone, you know."


    "I know," I said, and I meant it.


    I looked between them, my expression softening as I added, "Take care of yourselves while I’m gone."


    "We will," Kieran assured.


    Before I could say anything else, his arms slid around my waist, pulling me closer.


    "I suddenly don’t like the idea of you leaving," he muttered. "Even if it’s just for 24 hours or so."


    He then leaned in, burying his face in the crook of my neck, his breath warm against my skin as he stayed there for a few seconds... just holding me, just being close.


    Then he pressed a soft kiss to my neck before pulling back.


    I hesitated.


    There was something else I wanted to say.


    Something that suddenly made me feel... shy.


    Which was ridiculous, considering everything we had already been through.


    Still...


    I took a deep breath.


    "After New Year..." I started slowly, "I was thinking..." I trailed off for a second before forcing myself to continue, "maybe... all four of us could... sleep together."


    Kieran blinked.


    "We already do-" he started automatically, but then stopped mid-sentence as the real meaning of my words finally hit him, and his expression changed instantly.


    "Oh."


    I could feel my cheeks heating up already.


    River didn’t say anything, but the slight curve of his lips gave him away.


    Kieran looked straight into my eyes now.


    "Are you sure?" he asked, his voice quieter. "Will you be able to handle that?"


    I swallowed. Suddenly very aware of how both of them were looking at me.


    "I... don’t know," I admitted honestly. My gaze dropped for a second before I forced myself to continue. "I won’t know until I try."


    That was the truth.


    A deep breath left me as I added, a little more confident this time, "I can handle two of you just fine... so adding another one doesn’t seem... something to worry about."


    Silence greeted me, but itsted for just few seconds before a slow, amused smile spread across Kieran’s face.


    River looked at him. Then back at me. And just like that... they both started smiling.


    "Oh, this is going to be interesting," Kieran said.


    "Kieran," I warned, narrowing my eyes slightly.


    "What?" he asked innocently.


    "You brought this up," River added calmly, though the teasing glint in his eyes betrayed him.


    "Don’t make me regret it already," I muttered.


    Kieranughed softly. Then leaned in again, his lips brushing against mine in a slow, teasing kiss.


    "You won’t," he murmured against my lips.


    Before I could even respond, River’s hand tilted my chin slightly, pulling my attention toward him.


    And then he kissed me too, gentle but deliberate.


    When he pulled back, his already dark green eyes looked even darker. And when he spoke, the warning was clear in his voice.


    "If you don’t want us to change our minds and keep you for ourselves, you should get moving."


    I didn’t dare test him. And I was jumping down from the table and on my way out of the dining hall instantly.