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"Would you offer me yours in exchange for mine?" I find myself hypnotized by him, forgetting anyone else is in the room with us.
He lifts his hand and wipes wild strands of my hair from my sweaty face. "For you, I would make that trade."
"What is going on in here?" Headmistress Radcliffe's throaty voice echoes. "Is anyone hurt?" Her eyes widen when she sees the shattered desk. "What happened?"
"We've had a tremendous breakthrough, Philomena." Atlas drops his hand from my face and struts toward the Headmistress with his typical swagger. "Princess Ilaria has unlocked more of her power. No longer just blasts of light, she can shoot light like lightning across a room and leave this in her wake," he motions toward the remains of his desk.
Her mouth drops when she turns to look at me. "You did all this?"
I nod as Nyx takes his place beside me. "Yes, I'm very sorry for the damage -"
"Extraordinary," she murmurs. "We'll find you a new desk, Professor Harland. Good work." She turns on her heel, as if she herself is on fire, and hustles out of the classroom.
"Why is she practically running out of here? Is she scared of me?" I ask Nyx and he shakes his head.
"No, she's probably on her way to tell the rest of the faculty."
"Why?"
"Why do you think, Kitarni?" He flashes me a look. "Some of them are convinced you and Atlas are the reincarnation of Oryn and Naya. Others are waiting in anticipation of the first Tethering in over a thousand years. Everything you and Atlas do will be watched and scrutinized."
"Great, more people watching my every move."
He bumps me with his shoulder, and I look up and see him wiggle his eyebrows playfully. "The good news is, other than Atlas, you're the most powerful magic wielder at the school. They won't do anything to upset or offend you, fearing you might," motions to the remnants of Atlas' desk, "split them in half."
"I would nev -"
"Oh, don't say never, Kitarni. Keep them on their toes," he winks. "I don't know about you, but I'm famished. Care to grab some lunch after we get you to medical to fix up your arm?"
"Actually, we already have plans."
Eighteen
Shaye
Once medical cleans my arm, applies a salve that smells suspiciously like Finn's apothecary shop, and binds my wound, I inform Nyx of our plans to go to Starnborough, so I can dine with his uncle. As expected, Nyx is less than thrilled being dragged to the castle when he thought he'd have the rest of the afternoon to sit around the house, but once I remind him that he can probably go raid the kitchens with Prince Ronan and flirt with the pretty maids there, his mood improves.
When I first met King Soren, part of our agreement was that I would have lunch with him once a month. I didn't think someone as powerful and busy as him would remember that seemingly insignificant detail. Surprise, surprise. Apparently, King Soren is detail oriented.
Now that I'm sitting at the garden table set for two, I notice his face is marred with worry and he's not as bubbly like he was when we first met.
After several minutes of silence, I muster the courage to ask, "What's wrong?" as I softly blow the steam from my freshly brewed tea.
The deep crease in his forehead irons out and his exhausted gaze finally meets mine.
"My apologies, Shaye. I'm afraid I am not being a very attentive host this afternoon." He mirrors my body language by sitting straighter in his seat and picking up his cup, which looks tiny in his enormous hand.
I shrug. "It's alright. I'm used to entertaining myself."
His brown eyes soften, and I detect a trace of pity when he stares at me. "Forgive me. Why don't you tell me how your training is going."
"I'm surprised Headmistress Radcliffe and your son haven't kept you apprised of my status." I have a sneaky suspicion they've been doing just that and when he smiles, the wrinkles crinkling the sides of his eyes confirm my thoughts.
"Oh, they have," he shamelessly admits. "Although, I would prefer to hear about your progress from you, my dear."
"I am making great progress with my magic." I focus on the scone in front of me, doing my best to compartmentalize my thoughts when my mind strays to Atlas.
"And the Tethering?"
