Page 100 of Veiled

“No, the rest of the class is learning how to make self-accelerating throwing stars, but since I made my own set like ten years ago, Professor Martinez is letting me work on this idea instead.”

“Dang, Sasha, and here I was thinking you would be bored not going on long runs or missing all the targets in Vanguard now,” Matt says with a wicked smile.

“Don’t forget not being able to ride any more dragons,” I add, bumping her hip.

“Oh, definitely not! I would rather sit in Strategy all day than ever have to fly again.”

“Yeah, you can count me ecstatic not to be in Spell Casting or Arcane Healing anymore,” I say. “I will happily use the weapons and tonics, but we all know I have no business making them.”

Matt nods, not only because he knows it’s the truth, but he’s more than happy to be done with those classes, too.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m still all in to bond a dragon, but I’m glad I get to take Vanguard classes for the next seven months. I can’t imagine going into a fight and not being able to use the most advanced weapons. Like, what if Clowess shoots down my dragon and I end up imprisoned in enemy territory?”

“Aww,” I coo. “Don’t think you’re pretty enough to be spared?”

“Oh, you know I would be. I’d be their favorite sex slave,” he fires back. “All the single ladies would be lining up to use me like a steed.”

“I can see it now…Half of the next generation of Clowessian fighters calling you Dad...”

“And the other half calling me Daddy,” he says with a wink.

We both break into laughter, only to realize Sasha has stopped a few steps behind us, mouth hanging wide open.

“Seriously?” she sputters. “There is something so wrong with you two!” Her voice says horrified, but the little curl at the corner of her mouth betrays her. She’s at least slightly entertained.

As she catches up, I hear her murmuring something under her breath about us needing therapy ... she’s probably right.

Aiden stands waiting a few yards away near the courtyard steps, uniform hugging his biceps as his arms cross loosely over his chest, the late-afternoon sun catching in his raven hair.

He looks annoyingly good for someone who’s merely standing still.

When he notices us approaching, his expression softens, and his lips quirk up in the way I’ve only seen him look at me.

“How was your walk in the woods?” he asks.

“We were practically invisible,” Matt says, his obvious reference to the Ghost Walking classroom a little too direct for my comfort. “Just send us to Castle Ayr, and we’ll take out the royal family without anyone knowing we were there. End of war. Boom. You’re welcome, Thandroan.”

Aiden’s eyes go wide for a second, either feeling the same way I do or still not used to our sense of humor, before he deadpans, “I’ll alert the King immediately. You’ve found the solution to all of his problems.”

“Thank you,” Matt does a dramatic bow. “We accept payment in coffee and pastries.”

Aiden shakes his head, biting back a smile. Then his gaze moves to me, “I was thinking maybe we could go into town for dinner?”

Before I can respond, Sasha cuts in, “Oh my gosh, there is a new restaurant I’ve been dying to try, we should go there…unless you already have a place in mind.”

“Sasha, I think he meant—” Matt starts to correct her as Aiden looks to me, letting me decide how tonight is going to play out. Gods that shouldn’t turn me on, but I can’t help the way it makes me rub my thighs together.

When I shrug, Aiden finishes, “I meant let’s get cleaned up first, and then I’ll drive. Will you send Ana the location so I can get directions?”

“I could. Or I can create a new group text.” Sasha chirps. “What’s your number? I’ll add you now.” I knew she would be the first one to suggest it.

Aiden rattles off his number. Sasha’s thumbs fly on the keypad. “All done! What do we think? Thirty minutes?”

“Let’s make it an hour,” I try to say casually, not wanting to give away how I plan to show Aiden my appreciation with that extra time.

Matt snorts. “TMI.”

I swipe at his shoulder. “I didn’t say anything!”