The coil of tension in my gut loosened, and I leaned back. I’d remain for moral support, or if things got out of hand, but they needed to work out their differences on their own.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Amonth later, things between Alex and Hunter were going so well that I couldn’t help but feel pleased with myself. Of course, there had been a few tense moments—no relationship was perfect, and certainly not one that had been so fraught with dislike for years—but the guys always worked them out.
Now, if only my magic would freaking cooperate with me,I thought, running my hands over Alex’s torso. He grinned up at me from where he lay on the cold, metal examination table, and my heart skipped a beat.
“Has someone’s mind slipped from trying to diagnose me?” Alex teased.
I swatted him playfully. “Oh hush. Close your eyes.”
He obliged, and my heartbeat slowed. Those darn blue eyes distracted me, and Alex was right, I needed to concentrate.
After Eva’s encounter with a greater demon, world-renowned healers had flocked to Spellcasters to see her baffling wounds firsthand, and help Eva if they could. Spotting an opportunity, Headmistress Wake propositioned the most skilled healers to put on a weekend of workshops.
As Tiberius Thorn’s time was valuable, he consented to do the workshop as long as it was an option to teach the Culling, Grind, and Crucible years all together in half-day sessions.
Attending sessions with the upperclassmen made it clear how much a year of study changed things. While many had already called out the “ailment” that Tiberius had enchanted their partner with, and received a new one to puzzle out, the initiates’ success rate was lower. I, for one, had yet to sense any amiss energies within Alex’s body. All I’d been doing for the last thirty minutes was roving my hands inch-by-inch over his torso, hoping to feel something other than desire.
I supposed it shouldn’t come as a surprise. While I’d been killing it in the academic classes, the ones in which we used magic were not going as well. It was frustrating, since I’d seen that accessing powerful magic was possible. During the Samhain Trial, my magic had been astounding. But since then . . . nothing.
Is Diana right, and I shouldn’t be here?Tears began to prick in my eyes.
“Hey. What’s wrong?” Alex asked, sitting up and grabbing my hand.
A spark of pleasure ignited in my belly, pushing away the darkness. If it wasn’t for Alex, Hunter, and Eva, I might have already gone home. Spellcasters had always been my dream, but my failures were crushing my spirit.
“I’msotired of sucking,” I admitted. “The only time I’ve done anything impressive magic-wise was in the Samhain Trial. And that was all adrenaline or something.”
Alex shook his head. “No way, sweets. You’re strong. Hunter told me about your trial. That wasn’t just a fluke. You just haven’t figured out how to harness it yet. You’ll get there soon.”
I closed my eyes and exhaled. Easy for him to say. Alex was at the top of our class and never seemed to struggle.
“Want to switch?” he asked. “Be my patient?”
I nodded and took Alex’s spot on the table. Closing my eyes, I tried to focus on my breathing so my brain would turn off. I would probably only have a minute before Alex detected the false illness Tiberius had planted inside me. Healing came so naturally to him that Alex had started attending the second years’ healing seminars whenever possible.
Although my eyes were closed, I still sensed his hand floating over me. I wasn’t sure how, but I was always aware of a certain energy coming off Alex. I’d never experienced it with any other boyfriend, but then again, I’d never dated a wizard before. Maybe that’s how it was with witches and wizards? If so, I liked it . . . a lot.
“Hmm.”
My lips curled upward at the familiar, thoughtful sound.
“Joining the ranks of stumped first years?” I teased, keeping my eyes closed.
“You might say that.”
“Welcome. I’m Queen Odette of the Confused.” I mimed placing a crown on my head.
“You’re my queen, but not in that way,” he growled sexily, and my eyes popped open to find Alex’s face inches away.
A small gasp escaped me, and our lips crashed together.
My bad mood disappeared as his velvet-soft lips pressed against mine. I doubted anyone could feel bad for themselves when receiving a grade-A kiss like this. Hell, if anything other than ecstasy gushed through their veins, I didn’t know what was wrong with them. Must be faulty nerve endings or something.
“Um, hello, this is ahealingworkshop, not an intro to baby-making,” a comically nasal-toned voice teased, and I giggled right in Alex’s mouth.
We broke apart to find Eva and Hunter off to the side, their hands entwined.
