Chapter 17 #3
Mallor taps his fingers on his table. “Try to stay away, then. No need to figure out anything. If you find out anything, inform me, but keep your distance.”
I wonder if he’ll expel me, and a wave of fear takes me. “I’ll try.”
He raises a hand. “No. And you’re still not in trouble, but I’ll reassess your position during Cardiana’s festival.”
“Based on what?” The question slips. “I mean, if I don’t have an assignment—”
“Keep your head down and don’t get in trouble. That’s your new assignment. Is that all?”
“Yes,” I say quickly, deciding it’s better to walk away before I get in real trouble by mentioning the staff.
He narrows his eyes, pulls the bell, and rings it. “Tell me what you came here to say.”
Right. Shit. He knows when people lie.
I close my eyes. “The staff. I didn’t tell you everything about it.
” I wait a second for him to scold me, but he watches me with a placid expression, and I take a deep breath.
“I touched it, yes. And it didn’t hurt me.
That part is true. What I didn’t mention is that the rider didn’t forget it.
He didn’t simply walk away from it. Instead, he threw the staff on the floor, as if giving it to me or leaving it behind—on purpose.
I wonder if it could be some trap, some weapon, something.
I think back to that staff, and it scares me. ”
The corners of his eyes tighten, observing me, and yet his composure doesn’t shift. “The artifact is in a safe location.”
“Far from the castle?”
“This is not information I can share with you. Don’t tell anyone what happened to it. Never, ever mention that you were given the staff. It was probably an impression. Perhaps he couldn’t carry it for some reason. But don’t mention it.”
“I won’t.”
“Keep it that way, and don’t worry.”
“They’ll try to steal the hatchlings again.”
“We’re prepared, Mayara.” A hint of annoyance coats his voice. “Don’t worry about it.”
He wants me to ignore everything and then what? Bury my head in my pillow? A thread of annoyance thrums in my pulse. Still, I keep my voice gentle and ask in the meekest way I can manage, “So I should just keep my head down and not think about anything?”
“Exactly. There’s no shame in doing what’s best for your survival.”
I leave his office and sigh in the hallway, wishing I could kick something. What a useless meeting. And no answers.
The Outer Beach is stunning after the rain, when heavy clouds dissipate and streaks of pink and orange paint the sky. The view’s even better when Alayel is beside me, holding my hand, his inebriating scent surrounding me.
The bitterness that coated the memories of my moments with Marcus on this beach has dissipated, and I can enjoy the walk as we watch the day turn into night.
Another thing that’s much nicer is that I’m wearing the academy uniform, and even if I’m not a normal recruit, my heart is at ease.
“Are there beaches like this in Cainara?” I ask as I watch the powerful waves crashing on the sand, their sound soothing.
He glances at the ocean, a tinge of sadness clouding his eyes. “I lived mostly in the capital and it was a big bay with a huge port, so no. There might be some beaches away from the city, but I didn’t travel much. The water there doesn’t have lumos algae, though.”
“So the water’s all dark?”
He smiles. “It reflects the moon and the stars, so… maybe not? But Dracolius is far more beautiful than anything I’ve ever seen.” His eyes are locked on mine.
We kiss, watch the stars rise, and return to the academy when it’s dark. I pass by my dormitory quickly to wash up, ditch the uniform, put on a dress, and apply the golden oil. Only then do I go to his room.
There are no candles tonight, just lumos jars, their cool glow reflecting on the windows. He kisses me slowly, as if he could kiss me for eternity, then undresses me carefully.
When he lays me down on his bed, I feel like a precious object he doesn’t want to break. He settles between my legs, his wonderful dark eyes lined with beautiful lashes holding my gaze. My heart beats fast in my chest, anxious yet unafraid, and I let him in.
This time, we’re not across the bed, so I have to look to the side to see our reflection on the window. When I do, the image that greets me is a couple. Making love.
Two weeks have passed since I became a recruit. A real one—even if I don’t do any physical training. Even if I learned very little in the theory classes.
I’m lying on the straw in the hatchlings’ room, where I’ve been spending all of my nights. At least Alayel stopped complaining.
Ava nudges my shoulder with her cute snout while Vos curls against my side, his little body vibrating with a contented hum. Their scales have softened as they’ve grown, and they no longer leave red impressions on my arms by morning.
As my eyes start to close, the rider comes to mind, his dark eyes watching me. Every night, I fear he’ll come and steal the hatchlings. So far, there has been no sign of him. I’m hoping the guards will keep him away.
When I'm drifting into sleep, a sound stills my breath.
Bells. The dragons are here.