Raelynn shifted slightly in bed, her gaze flickering between Elion's face and the chessboard. The moment felt strangely different from when she had played with Sloane. With Sloane, there had been laughter, playful teasing, and a sense of ease. With Elion, however, there was a distinct change in atmosphere.
Raelynn licked her lips and glanced at the chessboard, her fingers hovering uncertainly over a pawn. "So… where do I start?"
Elion leaned forward slightly, resting his forearms on the edge of the bed. His white shirt was slightly undone at the collar, revealing a hint of his collarbone. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, exposing the lean muscles of his forearms. He lifted a single brow. "You've already played a few rounds with Sloane. What do you remember?"
Raelynn hesitated. "Um… the pawns move forward but attack diagonally. The knights do that weird L-shaped thing, and the queen is the strongest."
