Total pages in book: 214
Estimated words: 195876 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 979(@200wpm)___ 784(@250wpm)___ 653(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 195876 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 979(@200wpm)___ 784(@250wpm)___ 653(@300wpm)
"Just common sense," I reply, tucking my notes into my bag. "Use the tools you have."
"Like the book?" he asks, voice dropping so low I almost miss it.
I freeze. We haven't spoken in what feels like ages, let alone about the book. "It's been... educational."
His eyes search mine. "Found what you were looking for?"
"Not entirely." I glance around to ensure no one is within earshot. "I never properly thanked you. For the book, and for what you did during Confluence Day."
He gives a slight nod. "No thanks needed. We both got what we wanted."
"And what did you want, exactly?"
Bastian's smile doesn't reach his eyes. "To help, of course."
"Why?" I press. "Why go to such lengths for me?"
He's silent for a long moment. "What you are… dangerous or not, there are people who would value what you can become. And there are people who would see you destroyed before they took the risk of letting you grow. I've seen enough destruction for one lifetime."
I frown. "What does that mean?"
His gaze shifts, focusing on something over my shoulder. "You never did listen about him."
I don't need to turn to know who he's looking at. "Raith has been nothing but helpful."
"Has he?" Bastian's voice cools. "Almost every year, there are those who slip into Confluence under false pretenses. Those with dangerous intentions. Intentions that could harm Empire."
"And you think Raith is one of them?"
"I think there's more to him than meets the eye." He taps my notebook with one finger. "Just as there's more to you. Be careful who you trust with your secrets, Nessa."
"Including you?" I challenge.
His smile is almost sad. "Especially me."
Before I can respond, he moves past me, rejoining the stream of students leaving the classroom. I watch him go, puzzled by the warning—or was it a confession?
As I turn to leave, I catch sight of Raith standing near the door. As usual, he stands apart by his size and the dangerous aura that seems to cling to him like smoke.
Our eyes meet across the room, and electricity arcs between us, sharp and undeniable as lightning splitting the sky. His gaze drops briefly to my lips, then returns to my eyes with an intensity that sends pure fire coursing through my veins. One side of his mouth lifts in the barest hint of a smile before he tilts his head slightly toward the east wing—a silent confirmation of our training session later.
I give the smallest nod in return, and he's gone, disappearing into the corridor with lethal grace.
I exhale slowly, unsettled by how every fucking time our eyes meet I feel like I’m falling apart. Or is it the complete opposite? That the pieces of me are trying to snap back together when he’s around? Whatever this thing is between us, it's getting stronger, harder to ignore.
"Quite the pair of admirers you've collected," Beck says, appearing at my side with a grin. "The legacy prince and the scarred warrior. If this were a bard's tale, there'd be a duel by sunset."
"Don't be ridiculous," I mutter, shoving him lightly. "Bastian was just asking about classwork. And I'm pretty sure he's not a prince."
"Right. And I'm secretly tethered to a dragon instead of a bear." Beck winks, falling into step beside me as we leave the classroom. "Come on, admit it. The two hottest guys at Confluence can't keep their eyes off you. And you know there are plenty of other guys who would love to get into your bed, but they're too terrified of those guys to make a move."
"You're delusional."
"Am I? Serena looks ready to flay you alive every time Raith so much as glances your way."
The mention of Serena, as always, sends a spike of annoyance and rage through me. “If she wants Raith, she has an odd way of showing it. Remember what she tried during Confluence Day?”
“Some women would rather kill a man than see him shared with another. Just ask Brunhild.”
“Who?”
Beck grins. “This girl I met. She’s… something,” he says with a wistful smile. “Speaking of, I’m going to pay her a visit before elemental combat. Wish me luck.”
Beck leaves me at the east wing entrance, heading away with a spring in his step as he dodges a pair of fourth-year earths with hard eyes and absolutely massive muscles. I watch him go, noting how he moves differently now—a new confidence in his stride, strength in the set of his shoulders.
We're all changing, becoming something more than what we were.
“You spend half your day thinking of the fire-touched, angry human,” Typhon rumbles. “You have much to learn. Sexual penetration will not improve your odds of survival. Training will.”
I smile. "Jealousy doesn't suit you, Typhon. And it’s training with him I’m thinking about. I learn more sparring with Raith than I do in a week of Weapon’s Class."