He was loitering outside Marlow Theatre, the towering oaks dotting the quad filtering the golden sunset light over the shine of his pomaded hair. “There you are, Princess.”
Balthazar’s dimples winked as he grinned, turning to her.
“It’s kind of you to wait for me, but I think I can walk to the dorm just fine,” Embry told him upon greeting, because though she was pleasantly surprised, she didn’t want Balthazar to get theimpression that she couldn’t handle herself. And, well, Embry also didn’t want to admit to him that she was actually dashing to the market on a spaghetti squash odyssey.
“It wasn’t the walk I was concerned about.” Balthazar pushed his hands into the pockets of his ever-present black leather jacket. “Another round of awkwardness with Elton-Bentley, but more direct because you’d be alone and unable to say no? That’s what I aim to save you from.”
Embry frowned. “I don’t know why he did that.”
She’d meant because she didn’t know why, if he’d felt that way for literal years, Alistair had chosen that very moment to ask her out. In front of everyone. But Balthazar took her response at face value.
“I do and I’m no diviner.” Balthazar’s lips quirked as he stopped, so now they were both facing down the brick walkway into the setting sun, the sky awash in a pink much prettier than Embry’s original costume color. “He’s adiviner. The guy’s got no right to be surprised. I mean, like, how, man,how? You can literally see into the future.”
Despite everything, Embry bit her lip, feeling a little sorry for Alistair. Though he had all the privilege in the world, the diviner was always,alwaysmisunderstood in this way.
“His power has to be deliberate. He’s not, like, predicting the future at all times.” Balthazar’s frown deepened in disbelief and Embry tugged on his sleeve, imploring. “Could you imagine how that would feel? Like a marionette in your own life, just moving around like fate’s chess piece and knowing exactly how everything would turn out? So boring.”
“Heisa little bit boring anyway, you have to admit.”
Embry would not admit that. Instead, she swatted Balthazar in the gut. And then enjoyed the side effect of having briefly made contact with his rather washboard-like abs. Maybe today hadn’t broken her brain. Or, well, the part that liked that sort of thing.
“Still,” Balthazar mused, “the guy missed a huge opportunity to avoid the awkwardness of what just happened. Like, all he’d have to do is use those Goddess-given talents or maybe justhis eyesto notice how you’re always pushing him toward Oakley.”
“I’m notpushinghim toward Oakley. I merely think there’s somethingmutualthere, and I’m encouraging it.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Not to mention it would be great publicity for the show. The Baker and the Baker’s Wife together at the dance? Amazing.”
“Even better if they become the royal pair.”
Unbidden, a laugh bubbled up from Embry’s belly. She tried to cover it but failed.
“My, my, the princess has found some amusement in what I’ve said.”
Of course she had. Oakley had become very popular—people were purposefully wearing backpacks for Goddess’s sake—but it wasn’t as ifthatwould happen. It was okay that Balthazar didn’t know this, of course, given he’d only been on campus for a few weeks.
Balthazar laughed, too, before flashing his best smile. “I know we’re already committed to go as a group, but I’d be honored to be your homecoming bodyguard when that walking ascot inevitably asks youdirectlyto dance.”
It was a sweet offer, but Embry was a little annoyed for a second time that he’d thought she might need protection because she was a powerful witch and,seriously, this was Alistair Elton-Bentley they were talking about. Maybe this need for protection was his ancient magical mercenary blood talking. Maybe Balthazar couldn’t help it. Maybe it was how he showed he cared?
That niggle of unease vanished as Balthazar fell into character—stern-faced, one finger touching an imaginary earpiece, broad chest a brick wall as he held out a hand to stop an imaginary suitor. “Thehomecoming royal is indisposed. Please turn around and walk toward the spiked punch, sir, or we’ll have to escort you outside.”
Embry reset. This was a good thing. And it didn’t technically break her rules. He’d just be attentive to her that night. “That would be nice.”
Balthazar halted and bent into the sort of deep, dramatic bow that one learns through years of theater. “My pleasure, Princess.”
Embry couldn’t help it; she knew she was beaming as Balthazar unfolded. He checked to ensure his well-coifed hair was still in place, glancing around them quickly, and then reactivated that deadly grin. “Actually, I wanted to ask you something.”
“Oh, really?”
“Sorcerers aren’t usually very social, but with my family abroad, I’ve been feeling light in the brotherhood department, and I’ve heard impressive things about the Woodcross coven.”
Embry couldn’t believe her ears. Despite her silly daydreaming, sorcerers did not do covens. Full stop. Therefore, she had to clarify: “You want to come to our next meeting?”
“I do.”
Balthazar’s bright blue eyes shaded with something like hope and Embry nearly melted on the spot. If she’d only known he’d been interested, she would’ve invited him the moment they’d met. Maybe her urge to do so that first day had been intuition and not a matter of biology because he was nice to look at. She really did find Alistair attractive, and she still couldn’t make herselflike-like him, so she did think attractiveness wasn’t all that as far as these things went.
