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He gives me that lopsided grin. “I have to let the guys know to keep practicing without me. Then we’ll find someplace cozy to study.”

“Cozy sounds nice.” I pack up my books and stuff them in my bag.

Bash rejoins me and the guys all call out goodbye before playing a song without vocals. He puts his arm around my waist

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.”

“You won’t tell me?” I bat my eyelashes at him.

He chuckles. “Can’t say no to that. My room. You’ve never seen it.”

My heart skips a beat. We’re going to his room alone? I’m not sure I’m ready for this. Or am I? I mean, I love him. He’s the main reason I stayed in Valora instead of returning home with Mom.

“Don’t look so scared. We’re going to study, remember?”

My face burns. “It’s not like that. I—”

“You may have the suite, but Bahari and I have a room with a deck. Have you seen one of those?”

“There are rooms with a deck?”

He nods. “You and Halen aren’t the only ones with a special room. Mine has a view. Does yours?”

“Of a wall. How’d you get a deck with a view?”

“Bahari’s parents pulled some strings. You know my aunt wouldn’t care about me having something nice.” He tells me more about the view as we make our way to the dorms. He’s one level above me since I’m on the fourth-year floor as a first-year student.

He opens the door to his room, revealing a messy space. Clothes are flung all over the place, a lamp is knocked over, neither of the beds are made, and I swear something is growing on one of the desks.

“You didn’t have to clean up for me,” I tease.

“But I did.”

I give him a double-take.

He bursts out laughing. “Kidding! We live like slobs, I know. Between spending time with you, keeping my grades up, and the band, I don’t have time to care about the room.”

“Can’t say my room back home was much better. I was always tripping over things.”

He closes the door and leans against the wall. “What was it like having legs?”

I shrug. “It was just normal, you know? Just like you don't think about having a tail, I didn’t put much thought into my legs. I mean, I had to take care of them for track and I had to stay away from water so nobody would find out I’m a mermaid.”

He nods. “Interesting. So, you’re pretty athletic?”

“Yeah, not that it helps me much here. I don’t have the time for a sport.”

“It’ll probably help you with weapons class. Gotta be in shape for that.”

“Don’t remind me.” I glance toward the glass door. “Show me that view you were talking about.”

“Gladly.” Bash threads his fingers through mine, and we swim over the mess to the deck. It isn’t huge, but the perfect size for the two of us. He leans against the railing and pans his hand toward the colorful woods.

My breath hitches as I look out over it. We’re up high enough that we can see out for miles. It seems to go on forever.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” he whispers.