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"And miss my classes?" I shake my head. "I'll be perfectly fine – "
"What if something happens to you? My uncle will have my ass!"
I sit on the edge of his mattress and gently pat his chest to reassure him, "I will be fine. You've taught me well and you said it yourself, there's very little crime in Tronovia."
"Are my ears clogged or yours?" he snarls. "I said – "
"I'll walk her to school." Finn shoves a glass of water in Nyx's hand and tosses a couple pills into his open mouth. "You need to rest, and Shaye has obligations. You think they won't notice her missing? Stars, if she doesn't show up to Atlas' class, he'll break the front door down to make sure she's safe."
I squeeze Nyx's forearm when he narrows his sickly gaze at his brother. "See, I'll be safe. Finn will make sure I make it to school in one piece, and I'm sure Atlas will walk me home. I'll be back before you even wake up from your nap."
His bloodshot eyes are heavy, so he surrenders to our will. Reluctantly, he nods and reclines into his pillows. "Fine, but if something happens to her…" His threats trail off when his eyes flutter shut.
Finn and I both exhale a relieved breath. The beast slumbers.
Quickly and quietly, we slip out of Nyx's room and once his door closes, I whisper, "You don't have to go with me to school. I know the way and I'm sure you're busy."
"Not too busy to keep my word." Finn motions for me to walk down the stairs first. "I'll make sure you make it inside before I open the shop. It might be safe here in Tronovia, but you're still new to the city and I'd hate for you to get lost or for someone to delay you."
My brows crease. "And by delay you mean…?"
"I've been conditioned to always watch my back – to never let my guard down." Finn slips passed me when I stop on the second to last step and turns to face me. "The moment you believe the lie that you are completely safe, something happens to shatter that blind mentality. Keep your wits about you."
"Your uncle said the same thing to Atlas and Nyx after our meeting."
"Consider it a family motto," he smirks. "I'll get cleaned up and I'll take you to school."
Knowing there's no arguing, I bob my head and get ready to leave.
Professor Riggs is awfully cheerful this morning. Perhaps it has something to do with the absence of a hulking six-foot-four Tronovian grumpily sitting beside me during his lectures. Nevertheless, today's class is lighthearted and since it's just the two of us today, Professor Riggs has me sit on the opposite side of his desk, so it feels more like two old friends talking than a lecture. We chat about the different types of fire magic and some of the greatest wielders in Tronovian history.
"Are there any legendary fire wielders still alive?" I ask out of curiosity. I've seen Ronan's affinity in action and despite his nonchalant attitude, I know he's a force to be reckoned with.
Riggs pushes his spectacles up the bridge of his nose and nods his head with a proud smile. "I would dare say there are three fire wielders walking today that rival those who walked before. You already know Prince Ronan is a powerful wielder. Would I class him as legendary? Not yet, but I have a feeling we will be reading about his many victories for generations to come."
"And his Transcendent state?"
He levels a look my way that causes my chest to flutter. For a split second, I wonder if he debates whether I'm gathering information about Tronovians, so I can return to Midori and use it against them, but I would never do that. I know I wouldn't betray them. I just hope he knows it, too.
After a few agonizing seconds of him mulling over my question, he says, "It's called Torch."
I breathe a sigh of relief that he answers. Without me having to pry, he continues. "Torch is when Prince Ronan's fire consumes his body, and he is a walking flame. His skin isn't burned, his hair isn't singed, and when he abandons the Transcendent state, he doesn't even smell like fire. Torch isn't rare by any means, but Prince Ronan is hands down the most powerful."
"Thank you, Professor."
He tilts his head the side, "For what?"
"Answering my questions."
By the warm smile and kindness radiating in his eyes, I know he understands what I'm actually trying to say: Thank you for trusting me.
"It's an honor, Princess. I'm always happy to help."
"Without seeming too forward," I say softly, glancing from my fidgeting hands to meet his hazel gaze. "Who are the other two fire wielders?"
He leans back in his wheelchair, sets his hands on his desk and interlocks his fingers. "Rafe Harland and Soraya Delaney. Otherwise known as – "
"The Harland brothers' parents." I remember their names from the portrait Atlas painted of them.
