Abraxas placed eggs and toast on her plate. She made no move to eat them. “Couldn’t sleep?” His eyes flicked up mischievously.
“I slept fine.” She said dully.
“That all?”
Maeve glared at him. Abraxas rolled his eyes and picked back up his fork. He speared a piece of sausage and muttered. “Clearly that is all based all your foul mood.”
Maeve fiddled with her hands in her lap. When she woke, Mal was gone. On his nightstand was a brief note explaining that he wanted to walk the grounds and assess the castle’s protective shields himself.
Abraxas continued. “On the bright side, classes are canceled.”
“How is that the bright side?” Asked Maeve flatly with a shrug. “That would have been a welcome distraction.”
Distraction.
Gods be dammed.
She had thrown herself at Mal, and he rejected her.
“Ugh,” groaned Abraxas.
Maeve took a sip of juice. “Now what am I supposed to do all day?”
Mal slid onto the bench next to Abraxas. “You’ll be training all day.”
He looked well rested, but the worry in his eyes remained. For the world, for her, for himself too.
Abraxas rambled on, complaining. Mal propped one elbow on the table and looked at Maeve.
“I’m sorry,” she mouthed to Mal.
A waft of his Magic slithered across the table and brushed up under her chin.?
Mal drilled her relentlessly all morning, harnessing all of her trepidation into her Magic. All her energy was depleted by the end of their session.
Mal’s finger was under her chin, having just bested her.
“So close, Maeve,” called Abraxas tauntingly.
“I need some air,” she panted.
He lowered his hand and nodded. “Roswyn,” he called. “You’re up.”
Maeve left the dueling hall with heavy legs. She shook out her hands and stretched her arms as she walked across the foyer of the castle.
Refreshing sunlight and crisp mountain air greeted her outside the castle. The trees in the courtyard were starting to show their golden colors.
Maeve squinted, certain her eyes were deceiving her.
Reeve stood between two spiraling maple trees.
The High Lord was there. At Vaukore.
Chapter 33
Maeve bolted for Reeve, but with the slightest flick of his eyes, she froze. With just a look she understood.
Don’t look so eager, his eyes said.
