Chapter 12 #2
We walked side by side, his hands tucked tightly into the pockets of his dark pants.
The color of the leather emphasized the tanned glow of his skin as the fading sun beamed into his flesh.
He was focused straight ahead and seemed a bit uptight, but I knew from his comment that he was dreading this meeting just as much as I was.
The reality of my powers started to set in as we stepped onto the path that would take us to the castle. “I don't know why the possibility that my magic may be related to the mind never occurred to me,” I said, breaking the peace of our walk.
Sebastian glanced over at me.
“I kind of figured that no goddess in their right mind would give a mortal the ability to control people in such a manner. I thought maybe I would be able to read memories, or predict outcomes of events—something less dramatic.”
He shrugged. “You couldn't have known.”
I clenched my jaw as my hands began to shake, anxiety rushing to my brain. I tried to take control of it, but the weight of my magic added an unbearable amount of pressure on me. The king already thought of me as an asset. What would he think now that he knew what I was actually capable of?
I took a deep breath, slowing my pace so that Sebastian was a few steps ahead of me. I didn't want to lose my composure in front of him. He had already seen me like that once, and I’d be damned if he saw it again.
My legs wobbled and my vision blurred when the panic seeped through my skin. I refused to believe that this was true. There must have been something I was missing. If this was truly my gift, then my power had the potential to be detrimental.
I stopped in my tracks. “I don’t want my power,” I said softly, hoping that continuing the conversation could aid in calming the tightness that prevented my lungs from expanding properly.
Sebastian stopped as well and turned towards me. “Why not?” he asked, confusion painted on his face with his furrowed brows.
I tried to find the right words to describe my feelings, but so many thoughts were screaming in the back of my head that it was difficult to even speak. “I just don't.” I intertwined my fingers behind my back, looking down at the stones beneath my feet.
Sebastian’s boots scuffed against the rock as he stepped towards me. “Tell me.”
I kicked a pebble off the cliffside to my left and watched it plummet to the sand below. “I compelled Pia’s mind, and I didn’t even know I was doing it.”
“That was the first time you manifested your power. It won't always be like that.”
“I could hurt someone.” A tear that had threatened to break free, succeeded. I wiped it away quickly with the back of my hand, hoping that he didn't notice, but he did.
“Hey, hey.” Sebastian put his hands on my shoulders. His touch was gentle on my skin, the contact bringing me a sensation of comfort.
“You won’t hurt anyone unless you want to.” He smirked.
A tight laugh released from my chest.
I was beginning to consider that maybe Pia was right about Sebastian. Just a few days ago, I would have screamed at him for laying a finger on me—but today, I daydreamed about his arms.
“Okay?” he asked, squeezing my shoulder gently.
I nodded in acceptance of his words, then his arms fell to his sides and we continued up the pathway.
Professor Stoll was just making his exit when Sebastian and I arrived, leaving the two of us alone with King Hawthorne. His hands were folded on the top of his desk while he studied the map under his fists, completely ignoring my presence in the chair across from him.
Sebastian stood, arms crossed in his usual pose against the door. Should one of us say something? I mouthed to him, but he bowed his head, shaking it subtly.
As if the king could read our minds, he looked up from the map, planting his gaze on the wound on my face. “I heard you had it out with Mr. Sinclair during combat training the other day?”
My face contorted in confusion. This was certainly not what I thought he'd be wanting to discuss with me. “Uhm…yes, sir, that is correct.”
King Hawthorne let out a deep sigh, then pushed off from his desk and took a step towards Sebastian. “I was under the impression that you were supposed to be protecting her.”
Sebastian straightened his torso. “Yes, Father, and I am doing as you instructed,” he responded coldly.
“If you are doing as you say, then why does Caelestis’ greatest treasure have a gaping wound on her face?” he snarled at his son, a vein popping out on his neck.
Gaping was a stretch to say the least. “It's really not that bad,” I chimed in, but the glance I got from Sebastian was enough of a warning for me to shut my mouth.
Sebastian did not so much as flinch. “Sinclair’s actions were unwarranted, and the situation has been handled.”
My jaw tightened. So Sebastian was the reason why Sawyer had a black eye.
“Was there a reason that Mr. Sinclair felt the need to brutalize Miss Willawood?”
I gulped. Yes. I had been an ass to his best friend.
“I do not believe so. He picked a random first year and it just so happened to be Maeve.”
That’s a lie.
King Hawthorne glared at his son. “That should have never happened,” he spat. “Do I need to bring the duke into this?”
“No,” Sebastian hissed back.
“I expect you have learned from this and will do better?”
Sebastian nodded, keeping his head held high and his body stiff during the exchange—very soldier-like. “Yes.”
The king returned to his seat. “Very well.”
Sebastian laxed his stance a bit, but tension coated the air in the room now. I sat in awe of him. He was a real life example of how years of soldier-hood trained you to be numb. I didn't remember my father, but knew if he ever spoke to me in that manner, that it would sting at least a little.
“Professor Stoll informed me that your power has manifested?” King Hawthorne asked me, changing the subject.
“Yes, sir, I have been told the same,” I grumbled, irritated with how he just spoke to his son.
Lines appeared on his forehead. He was clearly not in the mood for my antics.
“The ability to alter minds is a gift that people would kill to get their hands on.” The king put emphasis on the gravity of my gift, and I knew there was some truth in that claim.
“It won't be long before news of your power has spread throughout the kingdom. I have already made the citizens of Caelestis aware of what will happen to traitors, but given the circumstances and magnitude of your gift, perhaps I should give them a reminder.”
A lump formed in my throat. He meant that he should remind every one of their impending death should they slip up.
“I want bi-weekly reports of how your wielding is progressing,” he proclaimed, his eyes bouncing between Sebastian and me. “Professor Stoll will keep me updated, but every two weeks you and I shall have a discussion regarding your progress.”
I lifted an eyebrow. “Is that really nec—”
Sebastian flashed me another look, this one telling me not to test my luck.
“Congratulations on your powers, Miss Willawood.” King Hawthorne stood and held out a hand for me to shake.
I just stared at it. A handshake was a sign of respect, and this man had not yet earned that from me. Under normal circumstances, I would have never even thought about disrespecting an authoritative figure in this manner. But these were not normal circumstances.
King Hawthorne cherished the ground I walked on. He was undone over a cut on my face, for gods’ sakes. I'd be damned if he retaliated against me for not shaking his hand.
So I didn’t.
“Enjoy the rest of your day, sir,” I said, turning my back on the ruler of Caelestis and escorting myself out of his study.