Page 43 of Hero of Havoc

“Are you up to anything today?” I ask, instantly regretting my awkward attempt at small talk, but he offers me a half smile, which almost feels like a success.

“I have a meeting with my father later, but otherwise, I was just hoping to be on hand for you,” he admits, and my eyebrows furrow.

“You don’t have to wait around for me all day.”

He shrugs. “I want to.”

“You should have just knocked on my door then. At least then we could have done… something.”

“I don’t think my little black heart could take the rejection,” he admits, sadness tainting the corners of his eyes as the truth ghosts his lips. I don’t need to feel his palm to know it.

I hadn’t considered the uncertainty on their end.

Everything is a mess right now, that much is true, but the confusion is only making it worse. The empath in me wants to make it all okay, but being a people pleaser is ruining my own sanity, so figuring out where the line is between not just him and I, but all of us, is hard.

“I’m sorry,” I breathe, and he shakes his head.

“Don’t be sorry, Ivy. Just be you. I’ve spent long enough inadvertently trying to clip your wings, and that was never my intention. I want a front-row seat to watch you evolve into who you were always meant to be.”

My heart stutters.

Who knew the grouchy Fire Protector could be so good with words?

“Thank you,” I whisper, unsure what else to say. He offers me a full smile this time, one that meets his eyes, and I know I’ve just captured a rare sight.

“Don’t thank me either. This is all you. You’ve done awesome this week. You refused to hide—not just from the academy, but from the kingdom in general. Watching you take control last weekend with Viola, even when you wouldn’t look at us, was awe-inspiring, and you should be proud of yourself.”

“I feel like you’re trying to butter me up for something,” I mumble, and he snickers, leaning into my personal space as his voice drops an octave or two.

“If I were trying to butter you up, Ivy, it wouldn’t be with an audience,” he rasps, winking as he leans back, and all I can do is gape at him in disbelief, my ability to school my features falling short. “Since I’m saving all my smooth talk for later,” he states, continuing straight ahead again. “How about you tell me how you’re feeling?”

“In what sense?” I clarify, happy to change the subject, and he shrugs.

“In yourself, here on campus, all of it.”

I blink at him for a moment, but the answer forms easily on my tongue. “I feel more myself than I ever have.” A smile graces my lips as we bypass the wildflowers dancing gently in the breeze, their floral scent filling my lungs.

I'm almost a little sad when the fencing room comes into view and our brief moment together nears its end.

He drops my bag at the door, walking back on his heels as he smiles at me. “Do you need me to suit up?” he asks. "Throw a couple of shapes your way?” he teases, and I can't help but laugh.

"Do you even know how?”

He snickers as he shakes his head. “Not a clue, but I'd learn if it meant I got to spend time with you.”

My pulse quickens as my heart races, and I rub my lips together nervously, but the door behind him opens, revealing my brother.

I can't stop my smile from spreading even wider as Hugo nods at Archer.

“Thank you for taking care of her. I'm going to steal her for a little bit.”

“Fine,” Archer grumbles playfully as he reaches for my hand.

I freeze at the contact as his thumb ghosts over my knuckles, making my body want to lean into him, but I'm rooted to the spot. Unfazed, he lifts my hand, pressing his lips against my skin as my brother huffs.

“Don't attempt to grope my sister; I'm standing right here,” Hugo mutters, and my nose crinkles as I snap my gaze to his.

“Don't be gross,” I snark, and Archer laughs, releasing his hold on me before he disappears from sight, opting not to get involved in the sibling argument.