11. Ivy
IVY
Hovering around the edge of the cave, my lips remain pressed in a thin line as I absorb everything happening around me.
I only spent a few lessons in the beginner area, trying to interact with the heat, the flame, the lava, anything at all, just hoping it would produce something. Now here I am, my magic ignited, and I feel even more helpless than I did before.
It doesn't help that I feel completely suffocated by the whispers that continue to gain traction around me. I’m wound tight and ready to explode at any given moment.
I can't decide what I hate more, the whispers of truth or the whispers of lies.
Was I naked when I was taken from Teddy's room? Yes.
Was I naked and strapped to a chair as my father loomed above me? Yes.
Was I naked as he pressed the barrel of his gun against my skull and pulled the trigger? Yes.
Was I touched inappropriately? No.
Well, not in the way they're talking about.
Was I strung up and made a mockery of? Also no.
Was I a highly strung whore disguised as the Angel of Heaven’s Ridge? Definitely not.
Yet everything is said with such truth and confidence among them that even I’m questioning what's real and what's not. It takes everything inside of me to remain focused on the present, remembering exactly why I'm here in this lesson to begin with.
It's not to heed somebody else's command. Although, Archer's bleeding cheek continues to panic me. Healing him, or attempting to, is completely out of the question. I refuse to become a puppet on their string. It’s infuriating as hell, but there’s something about it that eases the tension in my chest, and the last words he whispered to me only make me soften toward him.
I don’t like it.
Instead of focusing on him, I’ve watched, lingered, and assessed those around me, taking note of their every move.
I don't really understand what everybody can do, but one fact is clear: interaction with fire as a Fire Protector is natural.
And if it's natural for all of them, then surely I should be blessed with the same ability.
In theory, anyway. It all makes sense, yet every time I try to discreetly copy how people stand, embracing the heat, touching the rockery, nothing comes.
Frustration clouds my vision as my gaze snaps to Archer’s, only to find him already looking at me. I turn away quickly, refusing to fall victim to those puppy dog eyes that scream for me to help him, to want him, to need him.
As if sensing my desperation to break out of this room, Professor Carbon claps her hands, calling time on the class.
“Thank you, students. Please continue to focus, and I'll see you all next time.”
Relief floods me as I move to leave, along with everybody else. As I make my way toward the door, I almost trip over my own feet because I’m in such a hurry, but Archer manages to sidle up beside me, falling into step with ease, just before my name rings out through the air again.
This time, it’s not from Francesca, but from Carbon.
I pause, glancing over my shoulder, noting how other students don't seem as hasty to leave now that I stand at the center of attention once more.
Carbon laces her fingers together, staring at me expectantly.
“I think it is crucial you stay. We need to find your connection to the flame.”
I shake my head as Archer takes an instinctive half step to move in front of me protectively.
Clearing my throat, I curl my hair behind my ear. “I don't understand.”
“You've said that already,” Francesca snaps, the environment growing even more hostile than before, which I didn't believe was possible. “I’ll stay with her, Carbon,” she sings, her smile eerie, and my stomach clenches.
“Like fuck you will,” Archer snarls. “I’m her mate. I'll stay,” he declares, but Carbon shakes her head, frustration getting the better of her.
“Neither of you will. You both need to sort your shit out,” she barks, glaring between the two of them. “The Academy and the Fifth Kingdom expect more of you. You need to remain focused,” she commands, the atmosphere thick with words unspoken, but the weight of them is true.
“I’ll help.”
Two words, and I didn't think the air could grow any more tense.
I spy Silas hovering a few steps behind me.
Archer instinctively reaches for my wrist, curling his fingers around me.
Gone are the times when I would want to goad a reaction out of Archer.
Instead, I decide to keep my mouth shut.
I can't tell why he's defending me among these people, but he's doing it for a reason. It feels slightly unfair to push him over the edge, though I can’t decide whether he really deserves it.
“I think the fuck not,” Archer grunts in response, and my stomach knots.
“Archer,” I breathe, unsure of what I’m trying to accomplish as my gaze lingers on the dried blood on his cheek.
“She's my mate, and I fucking said no,” he hisses, ignoring my warning as his face reddens to a shade I've never seen before.
The cord in his neck stands out, tight and tense as he glowers at everyone else in the room.
Silas lifts his hands in silent surrender. “I’m just trying to help, man. I don't know—”
“Fuck what you're trying to do. Go,” Archer sneers, and Silas cocks his head to the side.
“Does she want that?” he asks, nodding in my direction, and anger instantly rises to the surface.
I can't tell if he's trying to cause a scene here, but I've already been through one. Two is two too many. Besides, the only one allowed to get under Archer’s skin is me.
Standing tall, I level Silas with a pointed stare. “Thanks for the offer, Silas, but I’m okay. I'll speak to you later.”
He lingers for a moment before nodding, turning slowly on his heels, and heading for the exit.
“No, you won’t,” Archer whispers. I know exactly what he’s referring to, but I don't bother to offer him a reply.
“How about I help?”
For the love of all that is peace in this world, do not make me explode from this madness.
Inhaling slowly, I try to calm the simmering frustration inside of me as I turn to face Dorian.
I'm on the verge of passing out. This guy's been nothing but nice to me, and Archer’s one breath away from exploding.
Yet, to my surprise, his hand drops from my wrist as he moves toward my friend, clapping him on the back. “Good looking out, man. I'm trusting her in your hands,” he states, glaring at Professor Carbon for a beat before he turns his full attention to Francesca.
He folds his arms over his chest as he burns his gaze into the side of her face until she huffs, leaving without another word. Only then does he turn to me. “Behave, Ivy.”
Before I can even consider a response to remind him how well behaved I’ve actually been, he’s gone.
Thankfully, everyone leaves with him too, until there are three.
Carbon, Dorian, and me.
Shuffling awkwardly from foot to foot, unaware and unsure of what it is I'm supposed to be doing, I startle a little when Carbon claps her hands again.
“Excellent. I have a meeting to attend. I trust you in Dorian's hands. His ability to connect with the might of the flames and the heat in his own magic is tremendous. It'll bode well for you to listen,” she says before sauntering out of the cave.
And now there are two.
Planting my hands on my hips to stop my shoulders from slumping, I take a deep breath, awkwardness twisting inside of me as I blink at the guy a few steps away. The last time I saw him was the night of the sleepover, where I became distracted by Teddy, and fuck knows exactly where that led to.
My thighs clench at the memory, but despite that, a lot has happened since I last spoke to him, and even though we haven’t been very close, awkwardness niggles inside of me.
“So, a phoenix, huh?” he says with a half smile, and I sigh.
“Apparently.”
“Are you doing okay?” He tilts his head to the side and I shrug.
Clearing my throat, I draw a tight smile to my lips. “Saying yes would be a lie,” I admit, and the truth feels heavy on my tongue as I admit what I'm struggling with.
“Well, how about we start off with the basics and ignore what she had to say? I was terrible at the beginning; it was actually Archer who helped me when my magic was triggered.”
My eyes widen in surprise. That’s where their connection is from.
“Is it awkward if I ask what your magic is?” I mumble, and his smile grows.
“I can basically absorb heat, extinguish a single flame, a fire, or a raging inferno.”
My jaw falls slack.
“That sounds insane,” I admit, and he snickers.
“It’s definitely something, but enough about me. I'm here to help you, and also to get out of the rest of my classes for the day, because that sounds like a dream.”
I laugh, the sound real on my lips as my chest lightens.
“Thanks, Dorian,” I mumble, and he grins.
“Anytime. Now, let's take a lap of the cave.”
“Does that help?” I ask, peering around the space, already doubting him as my nerves attempt to settle into calmness, but the wariness lingers.
“The best thing that you can do is learn that the heat, the fire, is all around us. Especially in here.” He swirls his finger in the air.
“Before I could make a single tiny flicker of a flame, I spent weeks walking this cave, dragging my hand across the walls, lingering an inch above the lava in an attempt to connect. I truly believe that the consistent attempts and repetition built my connection.” His eyes shimmer.
“It's worth a try, then, right?” I admit, and he smiles
Without a word, he takes the lead, walking to the nearest edge, pressing his palm against the rockery as he moves slowly around the room.
I follow suit, trying my best to copy where he stands, where he places his hand, but as we make our way around a second time, he offers me a knowing smile.
“You're overthinking it, Ivy. I'm going to go and stand in the middle. Let’s have you try it on your own.”
I clear my throat, taking the critique the best I can, as I repeat the motion. Focusing on my breathing, my fingers ghost across the rough surface, and my eyes fall closed as I let my instincts take over.
My steps are blind as I let the heat guide me.
I have no idea how far I've traveled when the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, and I stop. The heat increases, stealing my breath as I hear Dorian.
“Holy shit, Ivy. Don't move.”
My muscles clench in anticipation and panic as my fingers tremble.
“I don't want you to lose the connection, but when you can peek an eye open, glance to your right hand.”
I frown in confusion as I take stock of my body. My feet are planted on the ground beneath me, my left palm against the rockery, and my right arm extended out at my side, a fact I hadn't realized until he mentioned it just now.
Inhaling slowly, I tilt my head just enough to pry my eyelids open and glance out of the corner of my eye.
A gasp bursts past my lips, startling me.
There, on my index finger, is a small flame. It's right there on the tip of my finger, and it doesn’t immediately disperse at my shock.
“That's it. Now try removing your hand from the wall, Ivy. Focus all of your attention on the heat that flows through your veins and gather it on the tip of your finger.”
Exhaling, I slowly lower my hand from the wall, turning on the spot as I keep my right hand in the air. The flame grows an inch or two, and I giggle in disbelief.
My eyelids fall closed as emotions bubble inside of me, and they sting with unshed tears as I acknowledge where I am right now and what I'm doing.
I spent my entire life counting down the days until I got to step inside Neverbound Academy, a life that I thought was ripped away from me two years ago.
Despite the circumstances, I have now found my way here, and I refuse to give up on it.
I only ever wanted to be blessed by The Fates, and here I am, controlling heat with nothing more than my own will.
How, I don't quite know, but I'm sure that part will make itself more prominent in the near future. Knowing I am more than someone who can rise from the dead, someone who can physically see my magic before my own eyes, and not just for the desire of others, is everything.
I sway on my feet, ready to collapse in a heap with joy, but I stiffen my spine, desperate to remain grounded the best I can. I refuse to let this moment slip away from me.
Determined, I pry my eyes open and find the flickering flames on the tip of my finger once again.
It's not a figment of my imagination.
It's right here.
It's a part of me, and I'm a part of it.
“That's it, Ivy. Now, what you feel churning in your stomach, you've got to try and move that to the same spot.”
My eyebrows gather, just a little confused about what he means, but when I pay attention to my stomach, it's there, a swirling ball. It’s contained chaos.
With my gaze fixed on my hand, I take calm, measured breaths as I connect with the swirling ball inside of me. Every inhale moves it, and I feel it rise up my chest, reaching across my collarbone to the top of my shoulder.
Excitement gets the better of me as I try to encourage the sensation down my arm, and the slow movement is gone.
A burst rushes through me, and the flicker grows.
Only this time, it’s not contained.
A scream rips from my lungs as the fire ignites all over me.
Fear takes hold of my breath as I fall to the floor of the cave in a heap.
Every part of me ignites, but I don't burn.
Engulfed in flames, my screams halt as I lie on the ground, my vision a blur of orange and red. A shadow falls over me, deepening the reds to a dark crimson, tapering to the edge of burgundy, until the fires extinguish, and a face comes into view.
“Archer?” I rasp, spying his eyes wide and wild as despair seeps from every inch of him.
He blinks down at me in disbelief.
His thumb ghosts across my cheek as he takes every inch of me in.
The flames no longer exist as I lie on the floor, a breeze fluttering over me.
I may have survived the heat, but my clothes didn’t.
“Dorian, get the fuck out,” he snaps, and no response comes as he shields me the best he can. Shaking his head, he blinks at me in disbelief. “Holy fuck,” he exhales, pressing his forehead against mine. “Are you okay?”
A bubble of laughter bursts from my chest. “Did you see what I just did?” I blurt in astonishment, and he rears back, eyes wider than ever.
“You set yourself on fucking fire, Ivy,” he gasps.
I feel manic as I grin. “I’ve never felt fucking better,” I sing, and he shakes his head.
“You're insane, Ivy Hayworth,” he grumbles, a smirk touching the corner of his mouth. “And I love it.”