11. The Rose
Chapter 11
The Rose
“ I f one more person stares at me and whispers, I won’t be held accountable for the blood running through the halls.”
I made no effort to lower my voice, and a small zing of satisfaction raced through me when a nearby siren went pale and darted into the closest classroom. She reappeared moments later. I guess she entered the wrong one. Isaac watched her scatter down the hall with a positively wicked smirk as we cut through the waves of students leaving the assembly hall. The entire student body had been gathered to kick off the school year with speeches and presentations I'm sure were meant to be inspirational. The only things they managed to inspire were a handful of students to nod off in their seats.
Orientation beforehand had been even worse, although anything held at the crack of dawn that didn’t involve weapons had little chance of being pleasant. The Headmaster hadn’t bothered to show up, sending a timid admin in his stead whose voice barely carried to the middle of the room the first years gathered in. I’d pretended to look as confused as all the other students in the back as I listened to her prattle on about the core classes we’d all be taking this year. We wouldn’t decide which area of study to specialize in until the year following. The only worthwhile time was the five minutes it took to pick up our class schedules. Everything else could have been published in a notice.
“I pity the creature who sparks your wrath,” Isaac said with a smile, then added more quietly, “As long as there are no actual sparks.”
“You ruin all my fun.” I shoved him away and rolled my eyes. He couldn’t even tease me without adding a word of caution.
“On the contrary, I think I add to your fun rather nicely, especially when it’s wrathful and bloody.” A fair truth. “And you know I have to ask, any plans to turn that wrath onto a certain wolf with a newfound penchant for poor choices?”
Infuriating bastard.
Any shred of hope I felt that Grayson would come to his senses after yesterday’s conversation died the second I saw him sitting in the assembly hall, Kenna sitting at his side. Their Betas were perched next to them, both tracking each step Isaac and I took toward their seats. The Enforcers took up the remainder of their row, and the rest of the pack filled the two rows behind them. Marcus and Naomi were among them. Neither looked up from their laps. Kenna simply smiled and waved.
As we approached, Grayson gestured over his shoulder for us to take the only two seats remaining–at the very back of the pack. I’d laughed and chosen a spot for us across the aisle from them a few rows up. If Grayson or I had to spend the next two hours staring at the back of the other’s head, he could look at mine. Let him enjoy the braids Isaac had woven through my hair that morning.
Unfortunately, his eyes weren’t the only pair I felt drilling into me at the scene. The attention we’d garnered only increased when Marcus rose from his seat and took the seat to my left. My eyes burned at the show of solidarity, but I kept my face neutral. That didn’t stop me from reaching over and giving his leg a quick squeeze of thanks.
“I won’t kill him in his sleep if that’s what you’re worried about,” I said, “Ivy and Lucas would never forgive me. He may benefit from a new scar or two though.”
“A more intimidating look for him and a release for you.” Isaac nodded. “I like it. Maybe looking at the marks will remind him of what–and who–really matters.”
“Because the giant wolf shifter with arms like a boulder looks pretty timid without them.” Stupid arms.
“Exactly. People snicker at him in the halls. You’d basically be doing him a favor,” Isaac quipped with a chuckle that fell flat as he exhaled and shook his head. “I’d happily rake my claws over his skin too if I could.”
A familiar pang of guilt hit me at his dejected expression. They used to be so close, yet the wall that formed between them the moment Isaac learned my secret grew taller by the day. It’s difficult to stay close to friends when your secrets could get them killed.
“You know, just because Grayson and I are at odds, doesn’t mean you and Grayson have to be at odds too.” I rocked into him with my shoulder and said, “He’s your best friend.”
Isaac shook his head and smiled as he wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “I’m going to try not to be offended that you think I’d consider my best friend to be anyone but you. Grayson chose to go against his pack. Any fallout between us is on him, not you. If you say there shouldn’t be any fallout on your behalf, I may have to throw a tantrum in this hallway. I have no qualms about drawing even more attention than you’ve already garnered, and prompting more rumors.”
I’d opened my mouth to say just that but promptly closed it at his threat. “Fine.”
“Fine,” he echoed and gave my shoulder a squeeze.
“And just to be clear,” I said, “I do consider you my best friend. I just wouldn’t begrudge you claiming Grayson as yours.”
“You’re ridiculous,” he said fondly, “and this is your next class.”
“Just try with him.” I held on to his forearm to draw him near. “Okay? Don’t throw away twenty years of friendship over him being an idiot for twenty hours. Let the issues between him and I be between him and I.” Even if a selfish part of me reveled in his choice to shun Grayson on my half.
I blamed the demon blood.
Isaac didn’t respond to me, but I didn’t need him to. The set of his jaw was indication enough that he’d consider my advice.
We said our goodbyes next to the open doorway with Isaac promising to meet me here after class and walk me to my next. I didn’t need an escort, but I wouldn’t reject it either.
I ducked inside the room where Naomi was already seated at a desk in the middle row. She smiled and eagerly waved me over and gestured to the chair next to her. I guess she was still happy to sit next to me as long as the pack wasn’t around to see it.
I would not roll my eyes. Our kind craved the connection of the pack, it would take someone with a strong will to risk angering its Alpha. I believe Naomi’s intentions were mostly good, but her will was–well, less than strong.
“Oh my goddess I’m so glad we have this class together.” She clapped her hands and shook with excitement. “I was dreading it. Some of the other pack members told me it’s dreadfully boring.”
“I don’t think I’d classify inter-realm studies as boring,” I said off-handedly. I’d considered specializing in it as Isaac and Grayson had, though I loathed the idea of having any classes with the latter. Maybe alchemy instead. “Learning about the other realms is half the reason we’re here. How else will we create alliances? Avoid wars?”
“That sounds like a you and Grayson problem to solve.” At least she hadn’t said a Kenna and Grayson problem to solve.
“And when your thoughtlessness offends the wrong person and you become our problem to solve?”
She wrinkled her nose and looked down at her desk, but said nothing more on the matter. I took out my journal and pencil, and stared pointedly at her empty desk until she did the same.
“Did you see him?” A trio of females entered the room and took the seats behind us. “I swear he was looking at me when we walked by.”
“Only in your dreams.” Another countered. “Asher was obviously looking at me.” I fought the urge to roll my eyes. Whoever Asher was, he certainly wasn’t worth competing over with friends.
“I think both of you are dreaming,” the third said in a much more level tone. “Asher doesn’t look at anyone. He looks through them. Why you’d expect to be the exception is beyond me.” Naomi snickered beside me as the trio continued to argue about the likely insignificant, two-second encounter.
“They’re talking about the Moon Fox Crown Prince. It seems like everyone always is,” Naomi leaned in and whispered, “Apparently he’s as cold as ice but everyone who looks at him feels pretty warm if you know what I mean.”
I really wish I didn’t.
“And why would that matter to me?” I asked.
“I know you’re this amazing warrior who can cut any man down where he stands, Briar.” I smiled. That may have been the nicest thing she’d ever said to me. She rolled her eyes and went on to say, “But you’re also a person. Surely you can appreciate the draw of an attractive, powerful male.”
My response was cut off when she exclaimed, “Oh look! It’s his cousin!”
I grabbed her pointed finger and pushed her hand down before the female entering the room noticed. Surprise ran through me when I saw she was the fox I’d met in the hall yesterday, Eris.
“Don’t point. It’s rude, and I’d rather not offend one of the other realms within twenty-four hours of our arrival.” Naomi pouted and mumbled her apologies. Goddess grant me patience.
Asher, I realized, had to be the death god accompanying her and her brother. Just the memory of his stare sent shivers down my spine. If the females behind me thought they could break through the man’s icy exterior, I bet they’d be chipping away at it for an eternity.
Eris briefly glanced around the room and cut through the desks in our direction when she spotted me. The now ever-present whispers grew louder when she stopped at the desk beside mine and asked, “Do you mind?”
Her voice was every bit as sweet as her face led me to expect.
“Not at all.” I reached over and pulled back the chair for her. “Please, have a seat.”
Eris’ smile emitted the same warmth as basking in the sun. I briefly wondered if she was truly a moon fox. If not for her silver and rose hair, I’d be certain she came from a solar court. Maybe the warmth in her bloodline had missed her cousin and entered her instead.
“Thank you. It’s lovely to see you again, Luna Briar.” Naomi’s jaw dropped as Eris sat and began to unpack her belongings. I’d forgotten she and the others had already left when the foxes had interrupted Grayson and me.
“You don’t need to use my title,” I assured her, “But thank you for the show of respect. You’re welcome to call me Briar.”
“Alright, Briar. Then you are welcome to call me Eris.” I was happy to hear it as I had no clue what title I’d use to address her. A duchess? Countess? Lady fox?
“You didn’t tell me you met the Viscountess,” Naomi whispered in my ear. Mystery solved. Did that make Fabian a viscount? The distinction between royal titles gave me a headache. Life would be simpler if everyone were in a pack.
“I wasn’t aware I needed to report my introductions to you,” I replied. I didn’t bother to look at her as she sputtered that, of course, I didn’t need to report anything to her. By the time she’d moved on to another topic, I managed to block out her voice entirely.
Unfortunately, she was not the only person prone to jabbering.
“Did Asher’s cousin just sit with those shifter girls?”
“Isn’t that the one Grayson rejected?”
“Oh my goddess, do you think Asher’s dating one of them?”
“Why would his cousin sitting with them mean he’s?—”
“Sorry,” Eris said, not bothering to keep her voice down, “It seems even a simple conversation can inspire quite the scandal these days. I have to say, I’m shocked no one has more interesting topics to discuss. Their lives must be rather dull.” The contrast of her bright smile and cutting words had me mirroring her grin.
“Rather dull, indeed,” I agreed, chuckling at the now outraged whispers that continued around us.
The professor, a Fae judging by his pointed ears and haughty demeanor, introduced himself as Professor Cornelius J. Richards with an addendum that we were to call him Professor Richards.
“Why not just introduce himself as that, then?” Naomi grumbled, and I covered my laugh with a cough. Professor Cornelius J. Richards was too preoccupied with spouting his accomplishments for us all to notice.
When he finished listing his accolades, he picked up stacks of booklets from his desk and began distributing them to the first person in each row to pass back.
“This is your syllabus. Treat it like a precious gem because if you lose it, I’m not giving you another.” He continued to be such a pleasant male. “Each lesson we’ll cover this semester is outlined for you to review, along with a list of assignments and their due dates. I will provide neither reminders nor extensions if you fail to set your own. Questions?”
The classroom was silent as Professor Richards looked at us with his upturned nose and lifted chin. He abruptly clapped his hands together and smirked when a pixie in the first row jumped in her seat. “Great. Let’s begin.”
I leaned back in my seat and flipped through the pages of the syllabus. At a glance, it seemed we’d cover a vast range of topics, from court hierarchies and battle histories to cultural differences and enchanted bonds. I closed my book and gave the male parading at the front my full attention.
“—And that conflict is how the Hidden split into two courts: Solar and Lunar.”
Well damn, how long had I been staring at the syllabus that I’d already missed the entire split? I looked at Naomi to see if she’d written anything down, but she was gazing out the window, twirling a lock of hair between her fingers. How helpful.
“Some of the Hidden realms aligned with a single court.” He flicked—actually flicked—his shoulder-length hair back and said, “The Fae, of course, were one of the first to fully declare allegiance to the Solar Court.”
As he paced, his eyes landed on mine and Naomi’s table and his lip curled. I smiled back–that smile only grew when he shuddered.
“Other realms favored the more, well, let’s say rustic Lunar Court and a few split between the Courts.” Good goddess, were all members of the Solar Court this superior? I’d never been to a Solar realm, but I’d rather be back wandering alone in the woods than surrounded by people like him with their noses in the air.
“The tension between the two courts has ebbed and flowed throughout the centuries, but never fully diminished. We’ll start by taking a look at the Kallistar dynasty.”
Professor Richards spent the next hour prattling off the many reasons the first Solar Court was the cornerstone of life as we knew it. His subtle jabs at the Lunar Court didn’t go unnoticed; more than one student stiffened in their seats. I was more annoyed than offended.
He had to have been the student constantly starting unfounded rumors when he was in school–the one everyone rolls their eyes at when they open their mouths but whose words still seem to spread like wildfire. He’d probably been locked in his share of cupboards and broom closets by his peers.
The way he spoke made it sound like the Courts were on the brink of war, yet there we sat beside one another in the classroom, Lunar and Solar, without issue. The only incident I’d heard of in the past half-century was between the Sun and Moon Foxes a decade or so back, but the details of the dispute hadn’t spread beyond their realms. If Eris and I became friends, maybe I’d ask her about it one day.
A chime rang, and my classmates immediately began packing their belongings and rising from their seats. Professor Richards loudly clapped his hands together and every person who’d risen froze–my blood froze along with them.
“Class is dismissed when I say it’s dismissed,” he said. He propped his hands on his hips and shifted his weight back on one leg. A spiteful smile spread across his face. We waited in silence. Some of us had no other option.
He waited a full minute more before he said “Those of you who can leave, leave. The rest of you, well, I think you’ll make excellent additions to my next class.”
My mouth went dry, my knuckles turned white as I collected my belongings and rose with my rucksack in hand. Eris and Naomi rose beside me, Naomi’s face turned ashen, and Eris’ warm demeanor had chilled. Over half the class stood still as statues including the females who’d been gossiping behind us.
Every inch of them was still as stone except one, well, two: their eyes which frantically darted from around the room. There were few things worse than someone holding power joyfully choosing to abuse it for their own ego.
Disgusting excuse of a male.
I knew men like him. No good would come from my interference. If confronted, he’d inevitably grow more extreme in an effort to prove he was in control. As much as I’d like to challenge him, I couldn’t. Not then.
I could, however, pay back his malice if only a little. Passing his desk as I strode to the door, I spotted a mug of brown liquid on his desk. I didn’t break my stride as I gave the smallest twitch of my fingers in its direction just as he reached for it.
A shout followed by the sound of ceramic shattering rang out behind me as I crossed through the door into the hall. I ducked my head to hide my smile and looked down at the floor until I could wipe it away. I hoped the scalding liquid drenched him.
When I looked up, the death god was in front of me, dressed in black and sporting an expression that without my magic would’ve surely chilled me to the bone.
“That professor is such a jerk,” Naomi grumbled. I didn’t disagree.
“Bye, Briar.” Eris waved at me and joined her cousin’s side. “Thanks for sitting with me.” His stare lingered on me but said nothing as he fell into step beside her and disappeared down the hallway.
“Hey!” I turned as Isaac jogged toward me from the opposite direction. “Sorry, I’m late. I got held up talking to someone.” He offered no other explanation, but I caught a flash of forest-green eyes as they disappeared around the corner behind him. Good. Let their reconciliation be my kind deed of the day.
“Don’t worry about it,” I forced a smile, “We just got released anyway. Now show me to this potions lab I’m supposed to be in. I think I’ll be a master brewer in no time, don’t you?”
“Let’s take it one step at a time.” He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and we started across campus. “I’m pretty sure the last potion you made, made half the enforcers go bald from the vapors alone.”
“I was ten.”
“Exactly.” He shuddered. “Think of how much more dangerous you have to be at eighteen.”