“Maybe.” She gave him a fierce frown, but her eyes sparkled with amusement and he felt better that they were at least back on their usual terms.
“The sleighing races tomorrow evening, for sure.” He pointed a finger at her. “It’s Founders Eve and you promised to be my partner.”
She rolled her eyes. “Yes, yes, yes. Goodnight, Han.”
“Good night, Iliana.” He watched her go, her bright curls catching colors from the elemental lights glittering above. Once she was gone, he slid her cake onto his plate and forked up a mouthful. Unfortunately, it didn’t taste as sweet as he’d remembered.
~ 5 ~
Iliana overslept—and missedbreakfast—but she felt hugely better, rested and restored as the Refoel healer had promised. And as Han had helped with, illicit as that had been. It felt good, though, to have her magic filling her again, the shimmering vitality of it streaming through her body. As she hurried through the decorated halls, it seemed the glittering lights and silver-frosted roses sifted into her magic, making her feel brighter than ever.
Everything would work out fine. She’d just been tired the night before. Physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted—all combining to make her lose her usual poise and behave badly. Hopefully Han would forgive her. The kiss had been a fluke, born of him trying to help her, and he’d gotten carried away in his concern for her. That was all it had been.
The hallway to her first class of the morning, Familiar Senior Praxis, was nearly empty, she was that late. Ironic after she’d chided Han about getting to his first class on time. Hopefully he had, as…But no.Her steps slowed as she spotted the devil himself, slouched against the wall just down from the door to her class.
She had to take a deep breath and let it out again, not because she was breathless from being late, but because her heart thumped so hard at the sight of him. Why did he have to be so beautiful? Hearing her steps, he lifted his head. He’d left his hair unbound this morning and a wave of it shifted to fall half over his face, his full mouth brooding and eyes a startlingly bright blue.
“You should be in class,” she hissed at him. “What are you doing here?”
“I was worried about you.” He studied her intently. “You didn’t come to breakfast.”
“I overslept,” she admitted. “But I feel much better.”
“You look much better.” He held up a hand before she could say something tart. “You look beautiful, Iliana. But it’s really good to feel your magic back up to snuff.”
“For me, too.” It didn’t surprise her that Han could sense her magic. His always felt dark and delicious to her, like melted chocolate.
“I also wanted to make sure you weren’t mad at me,” he said quietly, with sober intensity. “I behaved like an ass.”
“No!” she burst out, then lowered her voice. “You didn’t and of course I’m not mad at you. I should apologize. I was out of sorts and having Sabrina poking at us didn’t help.”
“You havenothingto apologize for,” he replied fervently, taking her hand. “But, Iliana, I want you to think about what I said.”
Oh, no.She blushed hard, longing warring with rationality. “Han, please…”
He let her tug her hand away, but leaned against the wall between her and the classroom, not budging. “Just think about it,” he insisted. “That’s all I ask.”
“Fine.” She dodged around him and he caught her arm, his grip gentle, but relentless.
“I’m in love with you, Iliana,” he said, his gaze fulminous. He was much too close, those gorgeous lips within kissing distance, the taste of cinnamon and dark chocolate caressing her tongue. “I said it badly last night, but I’m going to convince you of the truth of that.”
“Even if you are—”
“I am.”
“Ifyou are,” she repeated, “it doesn’t make any difference.”
“It makes all the difference,” he insisted, “unless you don’t feel the same.”
“Han, I have to go.” But she couldn’t quite pull away, fighting her own urge to move into him, to snuggle under that strong arm and at last discover how it felt to touch him.
As if reading her mind, he tugged her just a bit closer. “Iliana,” he breathed. “Just give me a chance.” His lips lowered toward hers. He was going to kiss her. She froze, knowing she should stop him, unable to resist the temptation he posed, especially now that she knew how it would be.Just one more kiss…
The classroom door popped open and Professor Tracy leveled a stern glare on both of them as they sprang apart. “Familiar Iliana, you are exceptionally tardy, and M. Haniel, you are an unclassified student and not allowed in this wing. I believe you are aware of those rules?”
“Yes, professor,” Han replied, looking cheeky and not at all chastened. “Tonight, Iliana. The sleighing party.”
“Yes,” she promised, ducking her head so her teacher wouldn’t see her blush. “Good luck at the testing tower today.”
