Thomas stiffened and gave him a look.
“And this is the woman who saved you?” Theodore asked. “It was Lyranore all along?”
I shifted under the crown prince’s curious glance.
“Tell me everything,” the Grand Mage demanded.
I wanted to ask what they already knew. Prince Thomas had been a human for three weeks already as I’d recovered. Yet their wary glances made it clear Prince Thomas hadn’t said anything of consequence.
He’d been too focused on caring for me.
I cleared my throat under their scrutiny.
The Grand Mage’s glare at Thom made my palms clammy, but Thomas simply rattled off the events of the past few weeks, his hand wrapped around my waist.
We told them about Lee’s experimental room in the Blackwood estate, and the chariot chase that followed our escape. Fielding questions, we explained Lee’s plan to sell the cure, and our suspicions that his family knew more about the plague than they let on. And after a few pointed looks, we confessed why our hands seemed to find each other even when our minds were elsewhere.
We told them everything.
And when we were done, Thomas stared at his father while the King leaned back and surveyed us both, his mind racing behind narrowed eyes.
“And you…” the Grand Mage asked. “Do you think you are one of these rare time mages?”
I nodded. “I’m certain of it.”
He rubbed his jaw. “Would you be interested in joining the Mage Council as an apprentice? Your accomplished skill set would, I’m sure, be most valuable to Amouridia.”
I expected Thom’s grip on me to loosen. He’d spent most of his life working toward a position on the Mage Council, only to sit aside as his pupil accepted an offer over him. But instead, his thumb rubbed the fabric at my waist, and when I looked at him,only pride lit his eyes.
So different than the pride I’d once expected—haughty and superior.
Instead, this pride was meant for me and me alone.
“Take it,” he whispered, but I shook my head, a grin on my face.
“I thank you most exuberantly, Grandsir,” I said, “but I’m afraid I’m already spoken for.”
The Grand Mage’s brow wrinkled.
“I’ve been offered a full scholarship at the University of Junira. Unfortunately, I’ll be too busy with classwork and extracurricular experimentation to serve on the Council.”
His mouth fell open, but he regained composure a second later. “We are sorry to lose such a valuable asset, but please know that the offer will still stand once you graduate.”
I bowed my head. “Thank you, Your Grandness.”
“And,” he added, “you will make a fine Master for many Amouridian mages. Perhaps a rare mage like you would be able to take my place in a few decades.” He shot me a wink and my breath hitched. I glanced at Thomas, who tilted his head, mischief in his eyes.
“You’ll have to fight me for it,” he teased.
“I’ve seen you fight,” I said. “And considering I hoisted us out a tower and led our getaway chase, I’d have to say that combat magic is not your strength.”
His eyes crinkled at me. “I was doing just fine on my own.”
“You almost croaked, Thom,” I said.
He snickered, clapping a hand to his mouth. He leaned back and shook his head. Warmth flooded my senses.
Theodore’s gaze danced between us, amusement written in hisexpression.
