Chapter Twenty-Eight #2
“This is why casters cannot shift. We cannot alter our own physical state. We cannot manipulate what doesn’t exist. We cannot draw directly from our internal essence to heal ourselves, in the way the factions do.
” A beat then. “Instead, we use our internal energy as a conduit: to shape, pull, and manipulate ether, external energy.” A beat, then “In other words, we use that internal energy to interact with solid material, just as we use it to cast spells that affect our surroundings and others. But like I said, we cannot alter ourselves nor can we replenish the internal energy we use, it has a limit.”
She stopped at the front again.
“I’ve given you all a packet outlining everything we will cover in this class over the next week. I strongly suggest you study it religiously, every day. Your final exam for this module will take place in five days.”
Five days.
Anabelle’s stomach dropped.
“Now,” Liora said smoothly, “before we move on, are there any questions?”
Silence. Not a single hand lifted.
Anabelle’s mind was screaming. Holy shit.
Oh my fucking god. This was… insane. Ridiculous.
Unreal. She appreciated the science comparisons, she really did, but they weren’t helping the internal spiral clawing its way up her chest. It all sounded so straightforward when Liora explained it.
Logical. Clean. And yet it felt completely foreign.
Like someone had taken reality, flipped it inside out, and expected her to keep up.
She felt Rian beside her shift slightly. His presence grounded her before she even realized she needed it. Then, under the desk, his hand rested gently on her thigh. His thumb began moving in slow, comforting circles.
She swallowed hard.
He leaned closer, voice low. “Are you okay?”
She wanted to nod. Wanted to lie and say yes. But the words stuck, thick and useless in her throat.
He didn’t push.
“You’re okay, Anabelle,” he whispered instead. “Just breathe. It gets easier.”
She turned toward him, eyes wide, and whisper-yelled, barely keeping her voice down. “Easier? Ri, this is anything but easy.”
His eyes softened immediately at the nickname. Really softened. The corner of his mouth tilted up just slightly as his thumb kept tracing steady circles, anchoring her to the moment.
“It is,” he said gently. “You’ll see. Once you understand it a little better, it’ll come naturally to you. I think it’s Dom’s turn for the study sessions this week, he’ll help you through it.”
She huffed a quiet, shaky breath.
“And,” he added, lowering his voice even more, “I’m right here. Ask me anything. Anytime.”
Her shoulders eased just a fraction. She glanced back down at the packet, then up at the board, then at Rian again. This was terrifying. But maybe, just maybe, she didn’t need to feel alone through it.
His movements, and his quiet, steady words, slowly coaxed the panic back down from a scream to a murmur. Just enough for her to become aware again. Aware of where she was. Aware of the room. And painfully aware of his hand. Her gaze dropped to her lap before she could stop herself.
Gods. Rian’s hand was huge compared to her thigh. Broad. Warm. Heavy in a way that felt grounding instead of invasive, his thumb still moving in slow, reassuring circles like it had every right to be there.
Fuck. Stop thinking traitorous thoughts, Ani.
She dragged her eyes away, fixing them on the doorway instead, only to catch Joshua standing there, leaning casually against the frame.
His dark gaze was locked on her, soft in a way that startled her.
Not guarded. Not sharp. Just… attentive.
Like he’d felt the shift in her mood even from across the room.
When their eyes met, he gave her a small nod. You okay?
She returned it with a faint smile. I am. Mostly.
Drawing in a breath, she forced herself to speak. “I’m okay,” she said quietly. “Thank you, Rian. And...” she hesitated, then added, “it’s Ani.”
He blinked. “Uh?”
“My name,” she clarified, glancing at him. “You can call me Ani.”
His hand stilled for the briefest moment before resuming its gentle movement, somehow more careful now. His voice dropped even lower. “Thank you for trusting us.”
She let out a soft laugh, tension easing another notch. “Thank you for supporting me.”
???
By the time the class finally ended three hours later, she felt wrung out, like her brain had been stretched too thin and left humming. Two more classes to go before she could retreat to the safety of her room, and the thought alone made her feet drag as she packed her things.
Three weeks of this, she thought. Gods help me.
She stepped into the hallway, still half-lost in thought, and nearly collided with someone rushing past. Her foot caught, her balance tipping...... Rian’s arm was around her in an instant, pulling her back against his chest before she could even gasp.
“Watch where you’re going,” Rian snarled, all warmth gone in a flash.
The guy straightened, unimpressed, eyes flicking between them. He snorted. “Not my fault she can’t walk properly. Must be why she’s got you four following her around.” His gaze slid back to her, lips curling. “What happened, Snow White? Need help not tripping over yourself?”
Rian tensed, muscles coiling to move, but Anabelle grabbed his arm without thinking. He froze.
She stepped forward instead, angling her body just enough to put herself between them. Slowly, deliberately, she looked the guy up and down, taking her time like she was assessing a mildly disappointing purchase.
“And who,” she drawled, “might you be?”
He straightened, clearly pleased with himself. “Tyson Delarou.” His grin turned sharp. “Why, Snow White, wanna come give me a spin?”
She didn’t miss a beat. She turned on her heel and began walking away, voice calm and unbothered as it drifted back over her shoulder.
“Why would I take the grumpy dwarf for a ride,” she said sweetly, “when I’ve already got four incredible huntsmen?”
Tyson stopped short, brows knitting in confusion, before anger overtook his features as her words registered in his brain. He looked outright furious by the time he saw her disappear down the hall.
Behind her, Rian was fighting a losing battle with his smile. Joshua, who had overheard everything from just outside the classroom, didn’t even try to hide his grin.
Cameron chose that exact moment to walk up beside her, eyes flicking between the two men. “Why are you both smiling like that?”
She turned around to face them, saw their expressions, and groaned. “Oh, for the love of god...do not let that get to your heads.”
Rian shook his head, utterly unapologetic. “Too late.”
She snorted, shaking her own head as she kept walking, leaving the three of them trailing after her.
And behind her back, every single one of them couldn’t help the same thought: Gods. She’s perfect.