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Magdalene smirked and nodded.
“Indeed. I was offered some support from the trustees in these trying times.”
To Sam’s ear, sarcasm sounded particularly seductive when spoken in that low, husky tone. Focus, Sam, focus.
“Some?”Asshole. Sam couldn’t help but roll her eyes.
“Well, just enough to know that, for now, my position is secure, but I should take better care of my staff. He made a very strong emphasis on me protecting and safekeeping my staff.”
“I guess as my former guardian, he’s trying to act all protective.”
“And yet, I haven’t seen much closeness between you.”
Magdalene came closer and the coolness of her hand on Sam’s own felt like a balm.
“No, I told you about breaking Joel’s nose when I was a kid. I wasn’t invited to either of their mansions for holidays ever again. Up until now, we’ve barely exchanged greetings when he or the younger Tullinger set foot on Dragons. And they rarely have, before this summer’s upheaval.”
“Hm, I like you calling me ‘an upheaval.’” Sam smiled at the attempt at humor, then gasped when she realized that Magdalene was carefully inspecting her injured hand.
“I’m fine, I’m fine.” She tried to pull away, only to realize what she was doing, and relaxed in Magdalene’s gentle hold.
“So you keep telling people, Sam.” Of course Magdalene knew what had transpired between Alden and her. Even if he hadn’t told her himself, Dragons had ears and eyes that seemed to multiply when uncomfortable situations were involved.
“Yes, George overheard you talking to him. Or well, some of your conversation before I caught her and made her stop eavesdropping.”
“Ah…” Lost for words, Sam was also getting entirely too wrapped up in the small circles Magdalene’s fingertips were tracing on her palm.
“Are you really fine though?” Magdalene gave the injured paw a long look and her fingers gentled further.
“I’m getting there.” Sam’s voice was hoarse, the careful exam veering into caress territory, but the concern was so tender, so sweet, her chest constricted painfully and then expanded to make space for this overwhelming feeling of being cared for, protected.
As Sam struggled to take deep breaths for the new sensation wrapping itself around her, Magdalene went on, her face valiantly fighting to remain impassive, save for a sly smile tugging at a corner of her mouth.
“I may or may not have stayed behind after shooing George away and finished the eavesdropping job she started?” Magdalene’s eyes were pure mischief. “I am quite astounded by your generosity, Sam. You defended me when you could’ve told an already wavering man what he came here to hear. And we both know he wanted to hear you tell him how badly I’m affecting the school. Do you trust me then not to spell the end of Dragons? Or is this your… infatuation speaking?”
Magdalene’s face was serious, her expression, as always, cool and collected, but for once her eyes betrayed her, the warm amber shining with appreciation and affection. Maybe Sam was learning to read her, or maybe she had been lowering her guard more for Sam these days. Either way, it felt like a benediction, like a privilege to be here and look into that gentle gaze.
“I guess I’m rather transparent about that infatuation then.” Sam tried to make a joke and turned to take a step back, but her hand was being held—while tenderly—in a surprisingly strong grip. And the serious expression demanded seriousness in return.
“Yeah, okay, I’m not saying you win, because I still don’t believe that half of what you’re proposing is ideal for Dragons, but I’ve looked deep enough and long enough now to see that you are an instrument of their will and you’re doing your best in a situation that is pretty rough all around and in which the ideal is ultimately unreachable. But I’m also aware that you are implementing a great number of good practices that people don’t even notice because they’re too entrenched in hating everything you propose.”
Magdalene’s eye narrowed slightly at Sam’s inference that she was a mere tool, but to Sam’s relief she let it go and the warmth returned to her eyes.
“I still have questions, mind you.”
“Of course you do. You wouldn’t be you without questions, Sam. It keeps me on my toes. Keeps other people on their toes too, I suppose, since so many of them seem to be very interested in your business and mine. All this eavesdropping—and I assure you, mine was entirely out of self-preservation— but I couldn’t help but overhear that part of your and Alden’s conversation while trying to remove George from her favorite pastime. You mounting a rather noble defense of my character and my mission here at Dragons… Well, let’s just say it was sweet of you, Sam. But with all the people skulking around, their intentions good, bad, or otherwise, it spurred me on to refuse Sheriff Green to question anyone here at Dragons. So starting tomorrow, the faculty and students will travel to the mainland to talk to him at his office. I can’t trust that our walls will allow for enough privacy to ensure people feel unencumbered to speak freely. Orla and Joanne will go tomorrow and I will take the scholarship girls the next day. I foresee that interviewing the girls might take longer, so we will be staying overnight. You and the rest of the faculty are free to make your own arrangements with the Sheriff’s office.”
“You’re taking six girls alone? That tells me all I need to know about how long it’s been since you last supervised kids directly. They’ll drive you ragged in a matter of minutes.”
Magdalene gave her an enigmatic look.
“Well, if you volunteer your services…”
“Of course I’ll go with you. You’ll need all the help you can get with them. They’re rascals, especially Amanda and Lily. They’ll want to go to every store and try on all the clothes, only to go back for more of the same the next morning. Believe me, been there, done that.”
“All right then, that’s settled,” Magdalene said breezily and resumed making lazy circles on Sam’s hand, periodically venturing to caress her wrist and causing Sam’s breath to hitch and her heart to go hazy with longing. But something tugged at the corners of her mind, and she closed her eyes to give herself a second and take a breather from the beautiful and distracting sight in front of her.
“Wait, stop, I can’t think when you touch me.” The older woman bit her lip, trying to contain a smile, and Sam suddenly jumped up. “This was a setup! You wanted me to go with you.”
