Chapter 32
thirty-two
. . .
raea
It has been three days since we returned to school, and the bruises covering our bodies have turned dark shades of blue and purple. I didn’t realize how much we had been hurt in the crash.
For the past two nights, my sleep has been plagued by nightmares that replay fragments of Sgya.
My memories blend our time there into blurry bits.
It’s always flashes of glowing trees and the sound of the drums. Then, as if my mind can’t fully grasp all the trauma, I only remember segments of that clearing.
I can hear that soft, feminine voice saying, “This is your path…he’ll be here soon.
” Although I never saw her, I can’t shake the feeling that it was Calia who touched me and alleviated some of my pain.
I relive the power surging through me, burning me from the inside out all over again.
In the depths of my nightmares, I hear those whispers weaving through the mist and the deep claws sinking into my flesh all over again.
It took an hour of negotiating, but my parents reluctantly agreed to let me remain in school, albeit with the stipulation that I would forgo any off-planet missions for the remainder of the year unless accompanied by Kuron.
Speaking of Kuron, he had the hardest time leaving my side despite my dancing and spinning around the room to show off how alive I was.
That night, I returned to my room and discovered Kellan waiting for me in the living space. He told me his version of events, which lined up with Anders’, though Kellan had a lot more to say about Anders and me. Then we talked about the Bond and our magic late into the night.
A sense of resignation settled over him when I mentioned the prophecy Anders and I found. I’ve never seen Kellan like that, but he held me and didn’t let go, even when we had both fallen asleep on the sofa, until Aolyn woke us.
I haven’t talked to Anders since the day in the greenhouse.
At first, I wasn’t sure if he was avoiding me or if it was something else.
I found myself dwelling too much on whether I said or did something wrong until he messaged me that we would talk soon and that he’s been pulled into palace meetings every morning—and that he misses me.
Every morning since, I have opened my door hoping to see my assigned escort, but it’s been Trysten every time, with a tea in hand ‘from Anders.’ I’ve attempted not to dwell on why my heart aches, though it’s impossible.
The bright side? It’s allowed his best friend to become an unexpected anchor in my life, grounding me each morning and reassuring me I’ll be okay.
He has insisted he’s alright and begged me to let it go, yet this does little to quell my endless apologies. Each apology feels inadequate, so I keep saying it…every morning.
Trysten meets me at my door again, ready to lead me to the Executive Hall for Bonding class. I offer him a bright smile and follow him out.
“How’s your day so far?”
“Fine.”
“Hey Trysten,” I halt, making him pause as we near the stairs. “I’m sor—”
He groans, rolling his eyes with a smile and keeps walking, making me giggle. I’d be lying if I said he hasn’t become a good friend to me. It won’t just be Anders I miss when the school year is over.
We meet Ciara and Tate by the door, interrupting their hushed conversation.
As we step into the hall, a wave of gasps washes over the four of us.
I cringe, suddenly remembering that the other dorms haven’t seen us in a while, primarily because we’ve been dodging the dining hall in favor of someone’s rooms to eat in.
The last thing any of us has wanted is a room full of whispers and prying eyes.
“It’s getting old,” Ciara grumbles at my side as she finds an empty row near the top.
“Speak for yourself,” Tate chimes in with a cheeky grin. “The ladies love it.”
Ciara and I roll our eyes at him, but I can’t help but smile at his unwavering optimism. We make our way up, sliding into empty seats and inching toward the center. My eyes lock with Anders at the end of the row, talking with Trysten.
To my surprise, they both decide to join us. Trysten takes a seat beside Ciara, while Anders settles in on my other side. Just my luck, Kellan chooses that moment to join us, filling in the only empty seat next to Tate.
I catch Ciara’s eye, and she shoots me a sly smirk as she looks back and forth between Anders and me. I can feel the energy radiating from him, but it’s our Bond that has me stifling a smile.
The wave of pastels surging around us goes wild, like our Bonds have missed each other.
Our pinkies brush against each other, and I pull my lips in to stifle a gasp.
It’s strange how quickly it can feel familiar.
Without a thought, our pinkies intertwine, reminding me of the Bubble Village, where we held hands openly without a care in the world.
“Where have you been?” I whisper, trying to keep my voice steady as I turn to face the dais.
“Researching,” he replies softly, his gaze focused on something far beyond the classroom walls. “You needed time.”
Something similar to disbelief and anger flooded my chest. “So you decided for me?”
His mouth twists up as his eyes meet mine. “Raea,” he murmurs, the sound searing every nerve ending while soothing that ugly, hot anger. “I promise, it was for your own benefit, not mine. I—”
He’s cut off, but my body relaxes into the seat now that I know things between us are exactly as they should be. He wasn’t avoiding me. Or so he says. Either way, my whole body relaxes at his confession, settling a part of me that I don’t fully understand.
“Settle down,” Professor Becca instructs as she takes her position at the front of the room.
She scans the three dorms gathered here, her eyes sympathetic and understanding when she reaches us.
“I’m glad to see you all alive and well,” she adds, addressing the six of us individually with a gentle smile that softens the tension in the air.
“Today, we’re going to shake things up a bit with a fun exercise,” she continues, her enthusiasm palpable.
“In just a few minutes, we’ll walk over to the Academy Hall, where tables have been set up for an interactive Bonding session.
” The crowd begins to share whispers, making our professor chuckle.
“Not that kind of Bonding session. Ladies, you’ll take a seat at one of the tables and stay put throughout the class.
Gentlemen, you’ll be moving around—find an open seat and sit across from one of the ladies.
You’ll have exactly two minutes at each table to learn more about the person in front of you. ”
My eyes drop to her Bonding mark that winds up her middle finger to the back of her hand.
It’s strange to see hers so dark. I’m used to my mother’s and the other women in our court.
Their Bond marks are lighter shades of silver and gray, blending in effortlessly.
I’ve seen darker marks, so I know they aren’t rare, but I wonder if the color carries any significance.
“You’ll all be looking for the Bond—this can be something subtle, like a faint buzz in the air.
If you feel it, make a note on your tablet.
If you don’t feel anything, move on to the next table.
This exercise will help you narrow down the choices for your upcoming ceremonies.
Now, juniors, don’t worry if you don’t feel much, or anything at all, at this stage—just jot down whatever you observe.
Remember, depending on your birthday, you still have another year, or possibly two. ”
A hand shoots up from the corner of Taeolyn’s section.
“Do seniors only match with seniors?” a woman asks, her tone dripping with impatience. “I mean, I don’t want to waste my time with a junior.”
I immediately recognize her; it’s Sienna.
When I lean forward to see her, I note the bitchy smirk on her annoyingly beautiful face, and it takes everything in me not to roll my eyes. I sit back and face forward, biting down on the inside of my lip hard enough to draw blood. I don’t know what it is about her that gets me riled up so easily.
“Don’t let her get to you,” Anders murmurs from beside me, leaning in close enough that I catch his masculine scent that I often dream of.
My shoulders relax instinctively as warmth radiates from him, comforting me even on a soul-deep level.
“There’s no Bond between her and me.” Our knees brush together, and the energy that pulses between us is both exhilarating and grounding. “I’m yours.”
Anders interlaces his fingers with mine, wrapping my hand in his. A rush of emotions floods me. We’ve gone from merely acknowledging an attraction to an undeniable need for each other that feels overwhelming, yet exactly right at the same time. Those two words play over and over in my head.
Mine.
“Good point, Sienna,” Professor Becca continues, her tone shifting to a more serious note. “Senior men will have the opportunity to visit tables for both juniors and seniors. Junior men, however, should stick to junior ladies.”
Professor Becca answers a few more questions, and soon we move as a crowd toward the Academy Hall.
Anders walks at my side, no longer holding my hand, but close enough that I can feel his heat radiating against me while Kellan trails closely behind us, silent but observant.
I feel both of their Bonds reaching for me—the iridescent light from Anders envelops me in a protective cocoon, while Kellan’s soft green Bond attempts to weave its way toward me.
It’s a peculiar mix of comfort and agony to have them both beside me.
I’m not even sure if they’re aware of it. I’ve never asked.