“Mama’s boy?” I laughed. “And listens to me? Yeah, right.” I waved off his false statement.
He grinned as we continued walking. The stars glistened above and it took me a solid minute to spot Chaos in the distance.
“Has that book helped with your hunt for the dark mage after you?” Ender pulled back to look at me.
“Uh, not really.” My stomach turned inward. “Just minor things regarding the dark mages’ mark with their clan and that they have a powerful, no-name leader.”
“The mark links them,” Ender said, not as a question.
“How do you know that?”
“The copy Priscilla and the headmaster have is probably from the book you have.” Ender stopped walking. “They met with me and gave me information about the clan with the dark circle because it’s the same clan that killed my parents. It’s the same clan after you. I assume that’s why the headmaster wants to meet with you tomorrow, to relay what information they have.”
“I’m sorry.” I swallowed. “It hadn’t crossed my mind that the clan after me—and now most likely you—is the same one that had done that to your parents.”
“Neither had it crossed mine.”
The link regarding the dark clan’s mark had been in the dark grimoire, which I had marginally been able to decipher. The revelation regarding his parents should have been obvious, and it stung. Without a second thought, I stepped into him, giving him a hug.
“Want to grow some flowers?” I mumbled into his chest after a long minute had passed.
“What?” His breath was warm against the top of my head, a warm welcome from this cold. I wasn’t used to snow and had only donned a coat, gloves, and boots—no hat.
I pulled back and summoned my fire magic. After spelling a bright flame, I let it hover above us, lighting the area. “Do you want to use your magic to grow flowers?”
“Grow flowers?” He raised an eyebrow and waved at the lightly snow-covered ground.
“That’s what I said, isn’t it?” I took a step back and knelt, the snow melting into my pants. I removed a glove and placed my hand in the snow, the cold biting at my fingertips. I felt dirt that still held some warmth and let a small amount of magic flow. Concentrating, I sent the magic flowing through the ground at our feet. About fifty yellow daisies sprouted, the snow falling off their petals.
“Okay.” Ender nodded, looking around at the flowers. He clicked his tongue and knelt in front of me.
I stood, giving him some space.
His brows furrowed as he concentrated, but nothing happened.
“Relax. Focus on the different threads of magic calling to you. Hold onto the one that resembles dirt, grass, life…” I offered.
The furrow lessened and a singular purple wildflower sprouted in front of his hands. He reached out, plucking it from the field of yellow, and stood.
“It may not be as beautiful as you.” He gave me a smoldering grin as he held out the flower.
I rolled my eyes, gently taking it. When I glanced back up at him, he no longer wore the grin as his gaze searched mine. He brought his hand to my cheek, brushing the pad of his thumb down my jaw. His hand moved to my neck, cradling it with a soft touch, his gaze dropping to my lips.
I wanted to kiss him. I swore I did. But I stood still, waiting to see if he would bring his lips to mine, which, much to my delight, he did. This kiss was soft, warm, but it started to become more intense. I dropped the flower and wrapped my arms around his neck as he pulled me closer, his cedar and bergamot scent filling my senses. A cold zap tingled my lips, and I could taste a sharp tang of citrus—his magic.
My stomach tightened and I deepened the kiss, harder, faster, until I was the one demanding more. I could get lost in him, but something else drew me in—his magic. The tension in my stomach coiled even more as a slick feeling crawled against my neck. He had a lot of internal power waiting to be played with. The—
“Selene,” he said sharply and abruptly pulled away, staring at me.
There was a small drop of blood on his lips, and I brought my fingers to mine, feeling for a cut that wasn’t there.Did I bite him?
I took a step back, the snow feeling different under my boots, and glanced around. The flowers around us had withered into grey husks and the phantom fire I had created had been extinguished. I looked back at Ender, confused and hoping I had imagined whatever had come over me. His concernedexpression only confirmed there were, in fact, dead flowers surrounding us, their life drained by me.
“Viv should be on her way.” I swallowed and quickly left the flower circle of death, brushing past Ender and heading deeper into the woods.
Chapter Forty-Eight
Selene
