It had been nearly a year, for fuck’s sake.
Alaric and I had lived together at the Dragon’s Keep for longer than I’d had Caelum Bones in my life. After two summers and one winter break, Alaric and I had been neighbors and friends for longer than the short period of time I’d known Bones even peripherally. That didn’t even include all the time Alaric and I spent at coffee shops, pubs, and restaurants in Bonescastle while classes were in session.
I glanced around my suite, jaw clenched.
In general, my experience of Magique should have vastly improved.
I’d gotten licensed and cleared for both flying and solo mirror travel in May, which meant I could use the mirror-paneled wall in the hotel’s lobby, as well as the rooftop and even my own balcony for flying.
The mirrors, in particular, changed my experience of London entirely, and not only when I didn’t have the time or inclination to use one of the slower ways to get around. It gave me many more minutes and hours each day to work on new magic, to read, even to explore, as, unlike the previous summer, I didn’t have to spend a good chunk of my morning and evening devising ways to get to things, and then ways to get back to the Keep afterwards.
I even liked my new suite liked this one better than the others I’d had, despite it having only one bedroom. The commonroom had more bookshelves, better light for reading, more comfortable furniture, a larger balcony, more plants, and even a better view. The row of windows in the main living area overlooked the river and Magical London’s version of Big Ben.
When my first full year at Malcroix Bones Academy ended, I hadn’t really known what to do with myself. Miranda had wanted me to come to America and spend the entire summer with her in Malibu. I could tell Draken wanted that, too.
Ididvisit them. I spent over a week in California with Draken, Luc, and Miranda, right after the year let out, then another week in France with Jolie, the two of us running around Paris then the Côte d'Azur while her parents were off on an extended trip in Asia.
After that, however, I’d returned to London.
I hadn’t fully admitted to myselfwhyI’d come back, not until I finished checking into the Dragon’s Keep, dumped my things in my new suite, then immediately found Alaric’s room, and Alaric, to explain what I had in mind. He’d been on board instantly, and by the end of that first conversation, feverishly enthusiastic.
Alaric lowered his wineglass, back to studying my eyes.
“Trust me, love. I’d rather go to Ravenous,” he said. “But I really,trulypromised this time.” He huffed out a sigh that was only partly affected. “I’m not looking forward to it. I’d thought he was bad the second half of last year. I truly hadn’t thought he could getworse,yet he somehow has. I’m sure he’s even less happy to be at his family estate than I was. The difference is, his father actuallywantshim at home. Whereas mine doesn’t hide his utterreliefwhen I fuck off out of his sight for all but those few hours he demands my attention.”
I bit my lip.
I told myself not to say anything, to stay silent, to keep my mouth shut when it wasn’t actively sipping tea. I reminded myself that Alaric and Caelum were friends, that Alaric had aright to complain about his friends without me piling on or even offering an opinion other than to hum sympathetically and be silently supportive. I should let him vent, let him say whatever he wanted and keep my unsolicited opinions to myself––
“I would’ve thought sleeping with half the school would ease whatever existential angst he’s experiencing,” I said, before my mind could finish the thought. “I know it must such a burden, being the richest and most insufferable idiot in school, but he seems to have adequate moral support from the fairer sex, from what I saw.”
I let out a derisive scoff.
“…Then again, I suppose I can’t comprehend the absolutetravestythat is his birthright. It must be soverydifficult to be him, with all his money and good looks and connections and perfect bloodline and endless opportunities.”
When I looked at Alaric, he raised an eyebrow so expressively, I felt myself flush.
“I know.” I took the wineglass from his fingers and stole a large swallow before handing it back. “I know he’s your friend. IknowI should keep my mouth shut. But honestly, Alaric, he really is the most unapologetically entitledprat.You’ve said yourself he only demands you go out with him so that he doesn’t do something insanely stupid while he’s inebriated. Which isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement for either him or his company.”
Alaric’s full lips pursed.
He didn’t speak at first, but I could almost see the thoughts swirling through his aura as he leaned an arm on the back of the couch. His centaur primal stood on the couch cushion next to him, its muscular, perfectly-proportioned arms folded.
The centaur aimed a prolonged stare at me, its scrutiny less subtle.
“Right,” Alaric said, as though he’d made up his mind. “Well, I certainly can’t askhim,not without risking severe bodily harm, so I’m just going to ask you, instead.”
“Alaric––” I warned.
“No, really,” he cut in, not to be dissuaded. “Whatisit between the two of you?”
I rolled my eyes. “You mean besides mutual contempt? And revulsion?”
He grew quiet, and I looked over, in spite of myself.
“What?” I asked. “You can’t possibly think it’smorethan that?”
“I know something happened, Leda.” His words abruptly lost their humorous lilt. “I have no ideawhathappened, because, honestly, I had no idea you two knew one another that well, not until after it did. But I know whatever his problem is, it started with you. And not only because he went from a seeming inability toshut upabout you and how much he loathed you, to pretending you had mysteriously died and threatening bodily harm to anyone who so much as glanced at you or breathed your name.”
