What happened to a student when the examinations that had occupied nearly every waking thought for days finally ended?
Relief?
Perhaps.
A sudden burst of freedom? The irresistible desire to run outside, conquer the world, drink something regrettable, find beautiful company, or commit whatever lesser crimes young people traditionally associated with escaping academic responsibility?
Lucavion had expected something along those lines.
Reality proved considerably less inspiring.
The student became useless.
—Fsssshh.
Morning air slipped through the narrow opening of his window and disturbed the curtain beside it. Pale sunlight had already crossed half the room, warming the edge of his desk, the abandoned chair, and one corner of the couch where Vitaliara had apparently spent part of the night before deciding that Lucavion's pillow offered superior accommodations.
Lucavion remained beneath the blanket.
His eyes were open.
He had been awake for some time.
