But softness isn’t safety.
It’s a tactic.
The fucking Veirmonts built an empire on that illusion, velvet on the outside, blades underneath. Taxing medicine like it’s gold, hoard cures in silk-lined vaults, sipping wine while the rest of us rot.
But he doesn’t get to play that role, not with me.
“You want me to be grateful?” I meet his eyes, letting the fury settle into my spine. “Any points you were trying to scoreby saving me from that dragon, you lost them at the public body search.”
Talen doesn’t flinch, but his smile slips, just for a second.“Then it’s a good thing I don’t need your gratitude...”
For a heartbeat, it looks like he might say more. But then a shift of red at my side. No footsteps, no breath. No sound to have anticipated their arrival.Talen made sure of that.
Merrin steps between us, his red robes catching bright in the dim candlelight—too rich for the room, too loud against the other professors’ blues. Beside me, Talen’s arm shifts, and sound slams back into the room all at once. A blur of voices, scraping chairs—then Merrin’s voice cuts through it, clipped and clear.
“Officer Veirmont,” he nods. “Glad to see you've made a connection with one of our newest cadets. I trust she’s been staying out of trouble?”
Talen’s crooked grin slides into place like a blade returning to its sheath. “Nothing I can't handle.”
Merrin hums, pleased. “Good. I’m glad to hear it.” Then his attention shifts to me. “Otherwise, I’d be forced to reconsider our little agreement, Cadet.”
His gaze holds just a beat too long, long enough to crawl under my skin. Then he smiles again and turns on his heel, heading toward Professor Strannt and his weaselly son at the centre of the hall.
“Officer Veirmont,” he calls over his shoulder, “if you’d be so kind as to join us.”
Talen nods once, starts to turn, then pauses. His eyes find mine. “I’d say I’ll see you around.” His voice low, just for me, “But let’s be honest... you’ll be seeing me in your dreams tonight anyway.”
That crooked smile lingers, but there’s something different behind it now. Softer at the edges. Like the thought pleases him more than he meant to show, but then it’s gone, he turns, broadshoulders shifting under the black Citadel uniform, and walks toward the centre of the mat, to the waiting professors.
Fuck.
Him.
He thinks he’s the only one playing this game. That I’m the one chasing answers. But I see it now, he’s just as desperate for something, something he thinks I have.
As soon as I get a new duck, I’m walking straight into that trap of his. And this time, I’ll be the one pulling it shut.
Finn and Ezzyare perched restless in their seats, as I walk up toward them. Halfway up from the mat, far enough to get some distance from Talen, but close enough to still see the bloodstains smeared across the floor below.
With every step, my magic flinches, hot and anxious, like it’s ready to burst. Each jolt from my still-sore ankle knocking something loose, the pressure building, threatening to blow the lid off completely.
Perfect.
Bad ankle, magic bursting at the seams, and a whole damn audience.Double Strannt.Talen. Merrin. All here like it’s a performance and they’re waiting for someone to crack. And given my luck lately, I think I already know who that someone’s going to be.
God, this is Non-Magical Combat, the one placeI’msupposed to have the edge.
Yeah, my foot’s a bit fucked, buttheygrew up relying on magic and learning how to fight. I grew up fighting. Surviving. And I’ve been watching the other cadets. Most don’t worry me. Except maybe Beth. There’s something about the way she moves, like she’s already been through hell and didn’t come out clean. I keep wondering how she got that scar on her face...
Still, fighting, hand on hand combat, that part doesn’t scare me.
What does is my magic. My Threads are already near boiling point and if they call me down… I don’t think I’ll be able to contain them. All I want is to sit here, stay off the mat, and hold it together—without shaking, without snapping, and without letting a single thread slip. Especially not in front ofthem.
Finn shifts over to make space as I slide in beside him, forcing a breath and unclenching my hands. The crescent marks from my nails are so deep now, they might as well be permanent.
“Sorry I left you back there...” He cracks a finger. “You two looked like you were having marriage issues. Thought I’d give you some privacy.” He lets out an awkward laugh.
Ezzy elbows him, hard, her sparkly hairpin catching the light as she turns.
