“Of course you don’t. You can be happy all on your own. But I think you and Stefan could have a beautiful life,” I said. “You can’t sacrifice your future because your mother’s a stupid broad.”
“You don’t understand. I want to travel, see the world! I want my work to hang in museums. I want to give speeches, have books published, be a sorceress of great power.” Her voice took on a dreamy quality as she spoke. “A man would just hold me back from that. He’d put restrictions on me. Tell me what I could and couldn’t do. I couldn’t bear to lose my independence like that.”
“You can do all those things with Stefan by your side,” I said gently. “He wouldn’t hold you back from your dreams. He’d support you every step of the way. Don’t give up on him because other people hurt you. He really does love you.”
She shook her head. “I’m afraid to be in a relationship because I can’t lose my identity,” Delmare insisted. “I can’t afford to be in love.”
I paused for a moment before I said, “But Delmare, you already are.”
Delmare bit her lip. She turned to the sketch of the black dragon on the wall. She didn’t deny my claim, but still— there was so much fear in her I could feel it from across the room.
“And what would happen if we did get together? If we got married, and I gave him a daughter instead of a son?” Delmare asked.
“Stefan wouldn’t give a shit,” I said firmly. “He’s not that type of guy. He’d be thrilled the child came from you. You’re giving up something you really want because you’re too afraid to see where it could lead. And I don’t want that to happen to you, Delmare. I want you to be happy.”
Her face was torn— like she wanted to believe me, but deep down, couldn’t manage it. “Look, Emma, I get what you’re trying to do. And I appreciate your honesty, because you’re my friend. I just... don’t see how I could have both. It’s either Stefan or my art. I have to pick one or the other. And right now, if I have to choose... it’s going to be my art, because that’s the only consistent thing that’s ever been there. My mom didn’t tuck me into bed at night. The stories in my head did. As much as I want to be with Stefan, I have to follow my dreams.”
My stomach plummeted to the floor. I’d been holding out hope for them. But Delmare was so terrified she’d end up like her mother, she was keeping her heart under lock and key. “I understand.” I got to my feet. “I should get back to my dorm. Ethan’s waiting.”
Delmare didn’t respond. Her eyes were locked on the sketch of the dragon.
“Well?” Stefan asked as I shuffled into the Rec Room. I wiped my snotty nose with my sleeve— gross, but I didn’t have any tissues.
I didn’t know how to explain this to Stefan— or how much to tell him. Delmare’s story was personal, and I didn’t have the right to spread her past around.
I took a deep breath and said, “I’m sorry, Stefan. She’s just not interested in a relationship.”
“You were in there a long time,” he accused.
He knew there was more than I was letting on. I shrugged and said, “It’s her business. But Delmare has... a complicated past. I don’t think she’s ready.”
I figured he’d give up. Let the mating bond go, and find someone else.
Yet that’s not what he did. Stefan sent a determined look toward Delmare’s door. His gaze was steely and resolved. “I got plenty of time to wait.”
He stalked off. I frowned as I watched him round the corner.
Dragons were stubborn. This situation had come to a standstill, and Delmare wasn’t giving in.
But neither was Stefan.
Chapter Nine
Ethan
History of Druids wasn’t one of my favorite classes. Professor Victor was very much into historical material, and he was known for giving long lectures. Today would be no exception.
Still, when I entered his lecture hall on February twentieth, something seemed different... though I couldn’t quite lay a finger on what. I had the thought to skip and put the time into investigating the White Rose instead, but my gut told me I needed to attend. I felt like I was going to learn something important today, and only a stupid Arcanea ignored their instincts.
History of Druids was held in a large, beautiful classroom next to the Conservatory. The chairs and desks were set up in a circular fashion around a graceful oak tree that grew out of the center. The branches of the oak tree spanned above, while glass in the ceiling nourished the tree with sunlight. Professor Victor tended to the tree itself, giving it water and sustaining it with magical energy. As such, the tree pulsed with life and supernatural power, much like the Willow Maiden did. The classroom was always bright and open, leaving plenty of room for Arcanea to cast spells.
I took a spot near the front of the classroom, ten feet away from the trunk of the oak tree. Professor Victor spread his arms wide, and golden illusion magic emitted from his palms, settling in the leaves of the oak tree. The tree literally moved, giving a sigh and shaking as the shimmering dust reflected off its leaves.
“Today we’ll be covering ancient druid lore,” Professor Victor began. “Now, as you know, the Druids are commonly known as a group of Celtic people who lived in Britain and France. But Edinmyre had druids of their own. They were called thedryca; a word in Malovian meaningreligious teacher.”
Professor Victor strolled in a circle around the trunk. “Malovian stems from the ancient fae language. It is the tongue we spoke in Edinmyre, and thus, is the language we continue to use today,” Victor explained. “The Arcanean druids, ordryca, were rumored to be revered spiritual scholars. They were considered the communicators between the fae and the gods.”
Professor Victor held up a finger. “Like the Unseelie fae, thedrycawere wiped out during the war after the Arcanea made their way to Earth. Their population was small, and it didn’t stand much of a chance against the terrors being perpetuated at that time. Rumor is there are some fae still living who possess dryca blood, but there’s been no scientific nor magical proof of their survival.”
