Chapter 41 #3
"But I can't ignore the rules."
I'd been raised differently.
I couldn't simply bend whenever it was convenient.
Draksen sighed.
"There are no rules prohibiting relationships between members of the Strongest Twelve and students," he said. "Especially not where Airis Kairos is concerned."
I frowned, folding my arms across my chest.
"But that doesn't make it right."
"What about an unplanned pregnancy?" I insisted. "What about heartbreak?"
He didn't even bother hiding the skepticism in his eyes.
"I'll write you a referral to one of our healers," he said dryly, reaching for the stack of forms on his desk. "They can explain contraception in great detail."
Heat rushed to my face.
"I already know all of that," I blurted out.
"I'm quite certain Airis and Illariana do too."
His tone remained maddeningly calm.
"Then what about a broken heart?" I pressed. "What if Illariana loses control of her magic? What if she destroys half of Istmond?"
"The academy's wards are more than capable of handling that."
My hands tightened into fists beneath the desk.
"Even so..."
I lifted my chin.
"I still believe there should be rules."
A faint smile touched Draksen's lips.
"Then perhaps after you graduate, you'll come back to Istmond and become the person who writes them."
He leaned back in his chair.
"Until then..."
"I'd suggest focusing on your studies."
The conversation refused to leave my mind.
And it certainly didn't help when, on my way to the lake...
I saw Airis kissing Ria beside the Temple of Nereida.
Something twisted painfully inside me.
I didn't even fully understand why.
Or maybe...
I simply refused to admit that everything I'd planned was slowly falling apart.
Romance.
Feelings.
Boys.
Girls.
None of it ever ended well.
It only distracted people from what truly mattered.
Lost in my thoughts, I walked straight into someone.
I stumbled back.
Eugene stared down at me with obvious irritation.
"Watch where you're going, Miss Elern."
He stepped aside, intending to continue on his way.
Before I could stop myself, the words escaped.
"Is it really appropriate for a mentor to be romantically involved with one of his students?"
Eugene stopped.
Slowly...
He turned around.
His brows drew together.
"Who?"
"Illariana and Airis."
My voice sounded much steadier than I felt.
He didn't say a word.
He simply turned and walked away.
I watched him disappear down the path.
"Please..." I called after him.
"Don't tell them it was me."
A sudden chill ran through my body.
I wrapped my arms around myself.
I'm doing this for the right reasons.
To protect people. To protect the academy.
I'm trying to help.
Not hurt anyone.
Illariana Arden's POV
I was just about to step into my room when Eugene's voice stopped me in the corridor.
Ten minutes later, I found myself sitting in his office.
It was small.
Cold.
Almost completely empty.
Much like the man who occupied it.
"You wanted to see me?" I finally asked, unable to endure the silence any longer.
Eugene had been watching me the entire time.
As though he expected his stare alone to make me understand.
"Romantic relationships between mentors and students are forbidden."
His words landed without warning.
I folded my arms.
"You probably should've mentioned that sooner."
The irritation in my voice was impossible to hide.
Another silence settled between us.
This one felt heavier.
Dangerous.
"Airis was created by us."
I frowned.
"You're talking about him like he's an experiment instead of a person."
The words left my mouth before I could stop them.
I hated hearing anyone speak about him that way.
Eugene's expression hardened.
"He was raised to be a weapon."
His voice turned even colder.
"He wasn't taught how to feel."
"He simply..."
"...doesn't know how."
Something cold settled inside my chest.
My lungs tightened.
No.
He just doesn't know him the way I do.
None of them do.
Eugene sighed.
"I'm not telling you this to drive the two of you apart."
His tone softened, if only slightly.
"You're one of the strongest fire mages we've seen in years."
"And I don't want this entire academy paying the price for your broken heart."
I swallowed hard.
I refused to let even a single piece of what he'd said take root inside my head.
When I didn't answer, he continued.
"We can't assign you another mentor because Airis—"
"I don't want another mentor."
I cut him off before he could finish.
Folding my arms tighter across my chest, I met his gaze without flinching.
"I get attached to people."
"I wish I didn't."
"But I do."
"And I doubt that's ever going to change."
I paused.
"So if you truly don't want to deal with the consequences of my broken heart..."
"Leave things exactly as they are."
His jaw tightened.
"That isn't your decision to make."
My eyes narrowed.
"From what I've seen..."
"It isn't yours either."
For the first time since I'd walked into the room...
Eugene looked tired.
Not angry.
Just tired.
His lips pressed into a thin line.
"You may go."
He looked away, focusing on the paperwork scattered across his desk.
Lifting my chin, I turned and walked out.