The hall was now filled with long benches, and a small stage was positioned at the head of the room. She stopped in the entryway the moment she laid eyes on Orator Moon. Her eyes darted around him for her father, but he was not there. The Orator had come alone.
“Are you alright?” Mal asked.
His steady and even voice was a greatly welcome and soothing sound. Maeve turned and faced Mal. They stood barely more than a breath away from one another, hands rigid at their sides. Firelight flickered off his face as students passed.
Maeve nodded.
His eyes scanned her face and the way his eyes narrowed told Maeve he wasn’t buying it.
They took their seats. The hall was quiet under Orator Moon’s presence. He smiled at all of them. It made her feel queasy.
“Hello,” said Moon. “I am sorry to have to visit our world’s best and brightest under grim circumstances. However, I am here to tell you that, as Headmaster Elgin already expressed, Vaukore is the safest place you can be right now,” said Moon, “until the situation has been further assessed.”
Maeve crossed her legs and ran her hands over her face. Mal’s frequent glances over at her indicated he had never seen her so ruffled.
“Do you think he’s seen my father?” Whispered Maeve to no one in particular.
Mal remained silent, but Abraxas to her right answered quietly.
“Probably,” he whispered. “But you can bet he’s going to bolt out of here before you make it up there.”
“Shhh!” Hissed the girl in front of them as she turned around to Abraxas.
Her face turned hot pink when she realized who she was shushing and turned a deeper red as she met Maeve’s glare. Maeve held up a finger and made a circular motion. The girl slouched over and turned back to the front without another word.
Maeve’s leg started shaking, bouncing nervously on the ball of her foot. Mal’s hand inched closer to her leg, and she pressed her foot into the floor. His hand slowly retreated.
Abraxas had been correct, for when Moon finished his speech, of which Maeve heard none, he was immediately whisked away before Maeve could even stand.
“Damn it,” said Maeve. “I want to get out of this bloody realm.”
She produced a bright blue flame silently that hovered ahead of them as they walked. Maeve hadn’t argued when he’d insisted on walking her to the West Tower. The walk was silent, but Mal and Maeve never had an issue with being quiet together. When they reached the large ivory double doors to her Common Room and Dorms, they simply clicked open. Maeve placed her hand along the wooden frame. The magic was there, but weak. Like a dwindling flame.
The castle’s magic was being depleted.
“Do you feel that?” She whispered.
Mal moved slowly and placed his cool hand over hers, their breathing in sync. He lingered there only for a moment before removing his hand. Maeve turned towards him, her voice shaking.
“I can’t-”
He hushed her. “Come with me,” he said, wrapping her hand in his. He walked her to one of the new secret entrances to Serpentine Common Room and Dorms. The common room was occupied by students sitting in groups. Their voices were hushed and dull.
Mal lead her across the circular room and to the stairs that led above ground where their dorms were. They climbed the black marble silently, all the way down the hall to his room. His private room as Head Boy.
Maeve walked inside without hesitation. Mal closed the door behind him. She turned towards him and buried her head in his chest. His arms snaked around her, one hand gently tracing up and down her back.
His scent was intoxicating, taunting her with every breath she took.
“Whatever happens, promise me you’ll listen to me,” he said softly. “If I tell you to run, you run. If I tell you to-”
Maeve couldn’t wait any longer. She pushed up on her toes and gripped his shirt, slamming her lips into his.
He kissed her back gently. His hands found her face, and he pulled away from her.
“Maeve,” he started softly.
“I don’t want to think about anything else,” she gasped. “I just want you to kiss me.”
