Chapter nine
The Storm
Xander
Xander was sitting under a tree, resting in the shade with his eyes closed as he enjoyed the rare moment of calmness that he scarcely managed to steal. He was due to start his training with Adriana that morning, and had sent a messenger to inform her to meet him in the woodlands behind the Clarke stables by the lake. It was a secluded spot, a small clearing covered by thick trees and ferns, only a short walk from either of their homes but far enough away from the prying eyes of any staff or travellers on the road.
He had hardly slept the night before. He wasn’t sure if he was more worried about spending time with her because they’d likely end up fighting, or more concerned with the fact he knew he was looking forward to it.
Managing to avoid her for several days after foolishly grabbing her in the dark outside her home, he thought he’d be able to stay away from her. He’d purposefully kept himself as busy as possible to prevent his thoughts from fixating on her face, her scent, her lips. Until Striga, impatient as always, had come knocking on his door demanding he do as he promised and help her.
He hadn’t meant to hold on to her that night, or to ask her such invasive questions, or to hurt her by pulling her hair. He hadn’t been thinking clearly at all, but he couldn’t find it in himself to truly regret it. If anyone were to have seen them, they’d assume they were having a pre-marital affair.If only,Xander thought. No, Adriana’s chosen affair was with that bloody stable boy.
Xander hated him. The poor lad had done him no wrong, he was actually quite polite and had even offered to tend to Xander’s horses. But Xander incomprehensibly despised the boy ever since he saw the wink he gave to Adriana before she entered the ball.
He hadn’t even realised how angry he’d gotten as he’d watched their brief exchange through the window that night, only noticing his frustration when a young lady he’d pretended to listen to had pointed out he’d crushed a glass of champagne in his grip. Deion and Edward had teased him all evening, their thoughts screaming out ridiculous accusations of him being in love. But they’d soon shielded their minds once they saw him return from kissing her outside, only offering short nods as he explained he needed to leave for a while.
Neither of them pressed him when he had finally returned; they knew what had happened between him and Adriana. Even if it weren’t for their heightened senses, her lipstick had left a mark on his own mouth. He knew they wanted to pry, for they had never seen him obsess over anyone before, and Xanderknew he had never been unable to control his emotions around anyone. Until her.
Edward had suggested wooing her with flowers and romantic gestures, but Xander knew Adriana wasn’t the type of woman to be persuaded by such menial things. Deion had instead advised him to try to open himself up to her, share his thoughts and feelings in a constructive conversation. But Xander had no plans to do such a thing. He was to mentor her, and nothing more. And so, when Adriana arrived at the clearing in the woods, a few minutes late, Xander didn’t even open his eyes as he continued to laze against the tree with his hands behind his head.
“Took you long enough,” he sighed, hoping she wouldn’t detect the sheer euphoria that ran through him now that they were alone again.
“I thought I’d pay Jonathon a visit before I had to endure a whole day with you.”
Xander’s eyes flew open, his palms slamming on the ground beside him, shadows wrapping around his arms. He wasn’t certain if she was telling the truth or not.
“My word, Xander,” she laughed. “You are a jealous man indeed. I was only joking.”
“It is not a joke if it is not amusing,” he grumbled.
Rising to his feet, he brushed off the grass from his trousers and took in her appearance. She wore a simple blue sundress with embroidered flowers that matched the colour of her eyes. The neckline traced her collarbones and the sleeves ended just below her elbows. Her hair was tucked behind her ears, the dark blonde waves falling down to the middle of her back. She was the very picture of Spring, the epitome of light; the March Equinox.
She didn’t wear any shoes again, something Xander noticed quite often, and he chuckled to himself at the state of her dirty feet poking out from under her dress. At the sound of his quiet laugh, he noticed her discomfort as she fidgeted with her skirt.
“You look enchanting,” he said, with what he hoped sounded like reassurance rather than the compliment he wanted it to be.
Adriana hummed in return and gave him a wary look, clearly unsure why he was being so nice to her. He lingered a little longer, his Manipuli power reaching out to decipher the odd look upon her face, only to find that she found his cheerful stare to be more unnerving than his usual cold one. He hated that, hated that she felt concerned when he was being nice but merely accepted when he was being cruel.
Clearing his throat and turning away from her, Xander walked back towards the tree he had been sitting under and leant his shoulder against it. He rolled up his sleeves in an attempt to cool himself down, knowing it would likely do nothing to soothe the burning ache in his body.
As her eyes wandered his form, he realised that this was the first time she had seen him dressed so casually, with a dark cotton shirt tucked into black breeches and heavy working boots. He’d left his freshly washed hair to hang in curls that fell over his forehead, and he noticed her mind focus on an instinctive urge to brush it away.
He’d opted to leave his gloves off around her, partly because he knew he didn’t need to hide his Nocte brands, but mostly because he couldn’t shake the longing to feel her skin without the leather barrier again. That brush of her cheek the other night hadn’t been enough. He wanted to feel what her hand felt like when it was wrapped in his.
Adriana’s eyes paused on the black swirling markings that ran around his forearms and extended down to his fingers, before rising up to his chest. He’d loosened the collar of his shirt, hoping it would help him feel a little more at ease, but as her heated stare fixated on the same black swirls that crept up his body, ending in flicks at the base of his neck, he realised nothing could ever settle the fire she lit within him.
Beautiful, her thoughts rang out.
Xander smirked at her, feeling a sense of pride as she eyed him the same way he allowed himself to enjoy the sight of her. She threw him a scowl as she realised he had read her mind again, promptly closing the gates to her consciousness in an attempt to keep him out. But she didn’t lock them. Either a sign that she wasn’t completely aware of the necessity of the mind’s defences or, as Xander hoped, she was letting him know he could knock at the door at any time.
With a nod, he turned his attention to the more important business. “I understand your Elementai control has made quick progress.”
“Yes, I can demonstrate if you’d like?” Adriana held her hands up, sparks flying between her fingertips.
“No need. There is no point in wasting our time on lessons you have already learnt. I know Striga has taught you some defence movements as well, but I’d like to revisit those at some point, perhaps some dagger work, too. For now, can you bring forth your light?”
Adriana kept her arms extended to her sides, her palms facing up, as she closed her eyes. He watched as she searched for the light within her and, to his amazement, she found it almost instantly. Her palms emitted a warm glow as she opened her eyes and smiled sheepishly at Xander. But Xander did not smile back, only raised his brow at her efforts as he sensed her underlying frustration that the light had not extended across her entire hands.
