Prospero froze, looking more exposed in that moment than any other time outside the bedroom. Softly, she asked, “Are you ashamed to be seen with me?”
“No.” Ellie leaned closer and brushed her lips over Prospero’s in the ghost of a kiss.
Then she stepped back and looped her arm around Prospero’s waist.
“I want to kiss you. Talk more. Maybe convince you to let me put my mouth on you,” Ellie said in a low voice. “And I don’t want an audience while I say those things. I’m not an exhibitionist, Prospero, so telling you that I want to taste you and have you at my mercy seems like a private conversation. Would you agree?”
Prospero made a noise that did little to help Ellie’s self-control. “Let’s go to the Congress. So afterward…”
“Good girl.” Ellie watched Prospero’s eyes widen and made a mentalnote that she’d need to see how those words worked in other circumstances. Maybe they weren’t going to end up perfect or meant to be, but right now, it felt like they actually might be.
And that was worth a lot of risks.
38Maggie
The Congress of Magic building was reminiscent of the castle. It had the feel of somewhere ancient, the kind of place that was constructed by medieval European people. It was not an ancient Americas structure, neither a stepped pyramid or cliff dwelling.
And castles were typically European. So what wasthis? Though castle-ish, it lacked the towers and spires and levels. There were no fortress walls either. Ultimately, it was like someone started to build a castle, but stopped after the bottom floor and instead added hallways that branched off to unseen locations.
One by one, the students filed in to whatever was beyond the giant doorway. Until their turn, they sat on old-fashioned stone benches so uncomfortable that Maggie wanted to pace.
“Ms. Lynch?” Sondre called.
She stood and glanced at him.
“You and Daniel will be last. Ideally, Miss Brandeau will be here by then.” Sondre’s voice was loud enough that the remaining six people all heard.
But Maggie wasn’t keen on saying her piece in front of everyone, soshe gestured him toward the door that they’d entered. Sondre’s promised visit to chastise her last night hadn’t happened, so whatever punishment she was to face had not materialized.
He quirked a brow at her, but then he gestured her forward to walk in front of him. She wanted to say goodbye and apologize for any problems her actions caused.
When they both reached the back of the room, he stood facing the exit door. Maggie was between him and the door, so she stood sheltered by his body.
She looked up at him. “Did I cause you trouble last night?”
He mouthed, “No.”
She interpreted that as “Be quieter still” or maybe “The walls have ears.” It was hard to tell in Crenshaw, so she nodded and decided to phrase everything cautiously. She said quietly, “I’m going to request leaving. You know that.”
He nodded.
“I appreciate the kindness you’ve shown me.” She gave him a sweeping look and tilted her head appreciatively.
He choked on a laugh, and Maggie was grateful he shielded her body with his larger form.
“Take care of yourself, Headmaster Sondre.” Maggie ignored public protocol for a moment and put her hand flat on his chest long enough to say, “I wish I’d remember you.”
Sondre covered her hand with his. “I hope you find joy over there.”
Then she stepped around him and returned to her seat. Her eyes burned slightly with unshed tears. Today had come faster than any of them were expecting, and while she was excited to get home to Craig, she felt more than a twinge that both Sondre and Ellie were going to be gone from her life so soon.
And I won’t even remember them.
“Axell Olsen,” the bodiless voice announced.
The Norwegian stood, looking at the remaining people in the room. “I hope to see all of you tomorrow.”
The door to the assembled heads of houses opened, and he went through it with a small wave over his shoulder.
