“Why do you have Anders’ tablet?” Tate whispers in my ear. “Or is that your new background?” I slam it face down a bit too hard, drawing the attention of a few students as I glare at Tate. I quickly swap out the tablets and open my History paper, submitting it to Professor Darci’s box.
Tate gives me a playful shoulder bump and raises his brows in question. Ciara tilts her head on the other side of Tate, clearly curious, as she looks between the two of us.
“Um, I’m just holding it for him until Government.” Tate narrows his eyes but then shrugs, letting it go. I settle back in my seat and take a much-needed sip of water.
“Today, we will be learning about the history of our magic,” Professor Darci begins. I nearly choke on my water. This is exactly what Anders and I were just talking about. Tate pats me on the back as I try to regain my composure. The annoyed glares from my classmates return, and Professor Darci shoots me a disapproving look before continuing. “It may surprise you to learn that magic was oncealso gifted to commoners. After the veil went up, the gods only had enough power to grant it through the Lumos Bond.”
I open the class notes on my tablet and read through the articles she has pulled from the archives. Some state that the old magic flowed freely and that most people had some form of magic. Although they don’t explain how or why, they mention that because of magic, many of our colonies were built as they are today.
As Professor Darci starts discussing the architecture found throughout the system, I zone out, pulling open a notepad of questions I want answered. After class, I rush to Government, eager to see a certain prince, realizing that I’m the first one to arrive.
I sink into the cushioned seat at the round table and lean back, letting the sunlight streaming in through the glass exterior walls warm my skin. This is one of my favorite classrooms. The floor is made of frosted glass, and the rounded walls are also made of glass, half facing the forest outside and half looking into the dorm’s interior from the second level.
There are more crescent-shaped tables for the other students around the room. Beyond Professor Zdravn’s desk—he’s the Government teacher for the nobility—hanging in boxes along the wall are several trees and plants.
The scent in this room reminds me of citrus, which brings to mind how Anders smells. I hear a chair roll next to me, and Anders slips into my field of vision. I inhale deeply, breathing in the sweet scent of the room mixed with his heady aroma, while ignoring the warmth I feel from his gaze. Aolyn and Professor Sukín walk in, discussing her brother wanting to break his Bond with his match and what that might mean for Ateria and Thirik if such a thing were possible.
I finally turn to find Anders still watching me. He has his arms crossed on the table before us, resting his head on them. I force myself to act unaffected as I return his tablet. He flashes me a brief smile of thanks.
For the next hour, we both are on our best behavior, pretending that the charged atmosphere between us doesn’t exist, even as our every exchange feels loaded with unspoken words.
Without Cole here to lighten the mood with his usual banter, I find myself struggling to concentrate with Anders as my partner. We must collaborate on how to position our military if the veil were to rip along the borders of our kingdom.
My stomach sinks as I grapple with the reality that this could very well be our future. Each scenario feels impossible, accentuated by the knowledge that no matter what, people’s lives will be lost. The clock ticks slowly, and by the end of class, I’m feeling restless.
I’m not sure who needs a break from the unbearable tension and heavy topic more: me or him.
nineteen
. . .
I dropinto the pilot seat before Anders can and grin. “I’m flying, you can be my co-pilot.” He playfully scoffs but drops down into the seat beside me anyway. Internally, I do a little dance that I got my way. I thought for sure he’d attempt to pull rank on me.
“I trust you,” he says, sliding on his headset. “But if you need help or have questions, please just ask.” I nod and radio in for takeoff. When we get the all-clear, I launch us into space, my stomach fluttering with excitement.
We escape Baedyn’s atmosphere only to be greeted with an unending blanket of black. Anders charts a path to Ista, noting it will only be an hour and a half using hyperjump. I engage the reactors and let the autopilot take over.
“So, Prince.” I swing my chair to face him. “What are you looking forward to most after graduation? Becoming king? Bonding?” I attempt to keep a straight face. His chair swivels to match mine.
“I’m looking forward to being home and spending time with my sister. Clara is one of my best friends, and I miss her.” I roll my eyes.
“Okay, well…that was just sweet.” He chuckles. “What else, besides being the best big brother?” He’s contemplative for a while as I let my gaze settle on our tracker. We’re speeding past Okenen. With hyperjump, the planets and suns are nothing more than a flash of light in the endless emptiness.
“Nobody has ever asked me that.” He swipes a hand through his hair. “I don’t feel ready to be king, and definitely don’t feel ready to be someone’s husband.” His gaze bores into the side of my face. “You may not believe me, but I’d like my choice of bride.”
I swallow thickly, ignoring his gaze. “I heard your friends, Sienna and Gunnar, talking one day. She’d pick you.”
He snorts, pulling my attention to him as he drags his palms down his face. “Ignore her. I do. She’s nothing more than a flirt who’s working every angle hoping to put herself at some advantage. She’s just like her mother. She craves power.” I hum in response, fiddling with the hem of my shirt.
“And who would you pick?” I swallow the weird lump in my throat. “If you could, that is.”Why the hell did I just ask that?
“Soraea,” he says too gently. “Look at me.”
I look up, meeting his gaze. “Why are you asking? Do you want the truth?”
I bite my lip, ignoring the way my chest tightens uncomfortably. The sting of tears pricks my eyes, sharp and unwarranted.Why am I about to cry over this? The truth. The truth from him. It could change everything. It could break me.
I shake my head. “No,” I whisper. “Never mind. Don’t tell me.”
