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I try to remember. It takes a few moments. “Seventeen, turning eighteen next week.” The words come out in a slur.
“Good. And what’s your House name?”
I try to say it, but everything fades to black.
20
Finn
Iknow where I’ll likely find Terra at any point in the day. Not because I’m stalking her or keeping a close eye, but because I know her so entirely. Her habits here aren’t so different from her routines and desires in Navasik.
In the mornings, she enjoys her tea, normally sipping it as she reads and brushes up on the day’s subject matter. During the short breaks between classes, she walks with Raine through the gardens on the first floor. I’m envious of the way he holds her, though I’m relieved she isn’t alone.
At night she usually sits on the bridge leading to the Nova House, legs dangling off the side as she stares up at the stars.
But it’s early, no later than ten, and she’s already in the gardens today, without her usual companion and looking distant and weary as she stares at the peculiar red flowers and vines.
I consider going inside to speak with her. There’s nothing more I crave than to be close to her, to wrap my arms around her waist and breathe in her lovely scent of cold mountain air.
Terra’s eyes lift and I sip in a breath and hold it, watching her carefully as if she’ll stir should I move. Her emerald gaze flickers with warmth and she gives me a small but alluring smile before turning her back to me and disappearing behind a wall of red ferns.
My sweet little thing. She wants me to give chase just as I would in the forest. Who am I to deprive her of a thrill?
I slip inside the garden room, a terrarium truly, with walls of glass two stories high. The aroma of the plants is a comfort that reaches inside my chest. Should I shut my eyes, I would find myself somewhere beneath the warm sun.
My tomes are heavy in my hands. I set them down on an old stool, the legs uneven and tilting with the weight of my books. The garden is much bigger than I could’ve imagined; the glass panes stretch far off to the west side of the castle. It’s easily the size of a ballroom but filled with pathways, plants, and foliage in every shade of red.
I silently walk through the path, brushing my fingers against some leaves as I pass the long tables. She’s always been better at this game of chase than me, but now with Laphia, I think the tides may have turned in my favor.
She’s there. Dead ahead, Laphia purrs inside my head and heat floods through my bones. The fire within me desires her as if she’s oxygen itself.
The corner of my lip kicks up and I lower into a crouch as I approach a shelf of maroon ferns. They’re as tall as I am, leaves drooping down all the way to the tiles. Terra lets out a small breath as if she’s holding in a laugh with both her hands pressed over her lips.
My smile grows and I turn the corner swiftly. Terra’s eyes widen and she lets out a quiet gasp followed by the sweetest squeal as I grab her around the waist and pull her close to my chest. She laughs and clings to me, her fingers brushing my collarbones before they find the vest.
Her laugh is entirely contagious and I let a deep chuckle slip from my lips too. Although we’re different, we still have remnants of ourselves somewhere deep down.
I smooth my thumb over her cheek and pull her back to look into her eyes. Terra looks up at me and for a moment we’re still, unmoving as our souls and Shadows dance between the breath of air we share.
“What are you doing here alone?” I ask in a mere whisper as I trace my finger across her jaw, stopping at her soft lips and dragging my thumb slowly over the bottom one, pulling it down a bit.
She takes a deep breath and shuts her eyes before mumbling, “Raine wasn’t feeling well so I thought I’d see the flowers alone today before class.”
He isn’t feeling well? Shit, I hope the blight isn’t already taking hold of his health. It’s only been a little over a week. My face must reflect my somber thoughts because Terra’s brows pinch together and she frowns.
“Is there any way we can search Kallos’s study tonight?” she asks, sounding tired. I know she’s been losing sleep over this. Her guilt shows no matter how hard she tries to hide it.
“Of course. Come by after nine, that’s usually when Kallos goes for his evening meetings.” I let my eyes drop behind her and see a stone bench, the edges carved to look like branches, two cushions cover the seat. I guide us over and sit down, pulling Terra to sit over me so I can stare into her eyes.
It’s the first time she’s allowed me to be so close and intimate. It makes my heart wrench. I yearn to press kisses against her skin. “Terra?”
“Yeah?” She lets her body relax around mine and her legs ease to either side of my hips. Her hand presses against my chest and she stares into my soul, unblinking.
I swallow dryly. “You know you can always come to me if you need to talk, right? Anything and everything, I’ll listen for hours if you need me to. Just don’t isolate yourself. I’m here—I will never leave you again.”
She gives me a sympathetic smile and nods slowly. “Thank you, Finn.”
My cheeks warm as her eyes drop to my lips. I’m hesitant, gods know I want to kiss her, but I don’t want to push this. “I think we should?—”
