CHAPTER 23 #2
“Holy fuck, for talking back? Wait, you said supposed to? Did it not happen?”
“No, my…” I hesitated. “Friend, Max, was the one assigned to carry out the punishment. No one was around, so he wrapped my hand and told me to keep it on for a couple of weeks. Then he just let me go.” The fond memories of my time with Max flashed through my mind.
“That was kind of him. Why did he let you go?”
“We kind of had a thing, nothing too serious, but it helped the days go by.”
“How far did you guys go?” Was he jealous?
“That’s for me to know, and well, for you not to find out.” Was I flirting? Ugh, I couldn’t resist him.
I flashed him a wicked smile and, without hesitation, bit my bottom lip.
His eyes narrowed, and that darkness swooped in as he inhaled sharply. “Stop. Biting. Your. Lip.” His breathing was shallow between each word.
I released my lip, then slowly licked where my teeth had just held it.
“Avyn….” I loved how my name sounded on his lips.
My heart was racing and about to burst from my chest. I wanted to touch him.
This internal battle was raging away, but I could feel myself slowly losing, succumbing to my heart as it attacked my mind.
I wanted to know what his lips felt like on mine.
I tilted my head slightly, and a strand of hair fell onto my face.
He instinctively reached out and brushed it back behind my ear, letting the backside of his fingers graze my cheek as he pulled away.
His touch set me on fire. I wanted more. I needed more.
“SIR! There is a Soulless! At the north side of the manor's forest! They already took out two guards!” The guard's voice boomed through the willow trees' branches, causing both of us to jump.
Zendryk jumped to his feet, “Take Avyn back to her room!” and he was off, running, picking up his sword, which was stuck in the ground as he ran by.
“Miss, we must hurry.” The guard urged me to move faster.
I was in my room staring out the window for the last hour, unsure of what I was hoping to see in the darkness that now consumed everything.
The only movement I saw was right when I got back into my room.
I could see Ulric in his wolf form running by a fairy light heading towards the forest, but for the last hour, it had been dark and silent.
I climbed into my bed and sat cross-legged while I played with the ends of my hair, twisting them around my finger.
I absolutely hated being stuck in my room; the guard who escorted me here had stayed by my door.
I know this because I tried to leave earlier to help, but he told me to remain in my room.
Even after pleading that I could help them, he didn’t change his mind.
In all honesty, though, what could I have done?
I could hardly slice a bale of hay correctly, let alone fight a Soulless.
Zendryk barged into my room, like when he entered the dining hall earlier, but instead of anger fueling the forceful entrance… Was that worry?
“Is everything okay?!” I stood quickly and held on to the post at the end of my bed.
His face calmed when he saw me, and relief washed over him.
“Yes, we killed them, and the others turned back.”
“Others?” There was more? I thought it was only the one.
“It was just a small wave of them. They weren’t organized, and probably banded together on their own without their leader knowing.
Ulric took three down, and I took care of the last two.
They, however, killed two of our guards during their initial attack.
I’ll have to strengthen our guards on the border of the manor.
” I could practically see the wheels turning in his head as he talked out his thoughts to me.
“I just wanted to make sure you got back to your room safely.”
“Thank you. Your guard made sure I made it back safely and stayed put.” I did not let him know I was annoyed by the latter.
“You tried to leave?” He raised an eyebrow in question.
“I wanted to help. I don’t like being cooped up when people are dying. I feel useless.” I lowered my hand from the bedpost.
“You did the right thing staying. Until you have more training, you would have just gotten in the way.” He said with a matter-of-fact tone.
Anger washed over me. He might be right, but to say I would have gotten in the way. “Well, I’m fine. Thanks for checking.” Turning away from him, I made my way towards my bed. “I’m going to sleep now.” Conversation done.
I didn’t have to look back to see that he knew he had said the wrong thing. Whatever moment we had under the willow tree had disappeared along with his words.
“Goodnight, Avyn.” His footsteps retreated out of my room, and the door closed behind him.
Anger was fueling my emotions, and I had to take a moment to try to calm myself, but instead, I kicked the bedpost. Fuck!
Pain surged through my foot, just as the fire roared to life in my fireplace.
A fairy must be trying to comfort and calm me after seeing how enraged I was.
Get in the way? I am tired of being helpless and clueless.
I am stronger than this. I had made it this far in life without someone watching over me.
I survived in my village, I survived The Academy, and I’m surviving here. I could do this.