The writing disappears, and the book slams closed on its own accord. Full of contempt. I scrunch my nose and toss it away from me.
Cryptic bitch.
The candle flickers bright again, and the air is once again still. A harsh pounding on my door shakes me from my annoyance. I quickly shove all the books, including the little asshole one, under my bed and rise to my feet. I stretch out my legs as I walk, knees stiff and sore from sitting so long.
The incessant pounding gets louder.
“I’m coming. Hold your horses,” I yell and yank the door open. Ambrose stands there, fist midair to knock again. His thick eyebrows are drawn slightly inward, and he’s holding my gaze as if he didn’t think I’d actually answer. I cross my arms. “Is there a reason you’re beating down my door?”
“Where were you?” he demands.
“You’ll have to be a bit more specific.”
He pushes past me into the room.
“Sure, come on in,” I drawl, spreading my arms wide.
“You missed astrology. I thought something happened to you,” he says in a clipped tone, turning toward me, his shoulders squared, and eyes narrowed.
“I was reading,” I reply, as I walk over to my dresser and shut a few drawers I forgot to close earlier.
“Reading?” he repeats, looking around my room in a suspicious manner. His brown hair falls over his shoulder, disheveled like he’s been running his hands through it.
“Yes. Reading. Did you need something?” I ask.
He scoffs and removes his longbow, throwing it on my bed. “Ugh, yeah, I do, Nori. I need for you to not miss class.”
I snort, picking up his bow and setting it on the floor. “Ambrose, you’re not responsible for me, nor do I owe you an explanation on where I am.”
He walks toward me with measured, deliberate steps.
I choose the wrong moment and let out a little laugh at his audacity.
His head tilts. “Is this funny to you, Norissa?” he asks, continuing to stalk toward me. He called me by my full first name.
Yep, he’s pissed.
“I’m just saying it’s not that big of a deal. I’m fine.” I gesture to myself, indicating I’m whole and hearty.
He clicks his tongue, stopping directly in front of me. His glacial eyes hold me prisoner. “You see, that’s the problem, Norissa. Itisa big deal. Plenty of people at Kintoira would like to see you fall. In fact, they wouldn’t mind being the reason you do,” he says, looking down at me. “So when you suddenly stop showing up to classes, it’s a problem for me.”
I toss my hair over my shoulder in irritation as I look up at him. “Okay. Fine. Noted. Inform Ambrose when I’m playing hooky,” I say, waving my hand dismissively.
He bends down, his face now so close that I can feel his breath. “Glad we understand each other.”
“Same,” I mock.
His eyes move to my mouth. I go utterly still. He brings them back to my eyes. “If anything happened to you…” He trails off, his voice suddenly rough.
Okay, now I kind of feel bad. “I’m fine, Ambrose. I didn’t mean to worry you or disappoint you.”
His jaw flexes once before speaking. “You could never disappoint me, Nori. You’re my constant. The adamantine thread that holds everything good in my world together.”
I stare at him for a heartbeat before throwing myself forward and wrapping my arms around his back. He gives the best bear hugs, and I desperately need one. I never really knew what a home felt like, but I imagine it would feel exactly like this.
“I promise, I’ll do my best not to worry you anymore. I should have said something before bailing on you,” I say into his chest.
A long history stretches between us. Bruised knees, hushed dares under the Brylan sky, stolen moments of mischief. He looked at me differently then. Now he’s looking at me with something a lot like reverence. Something he cherishes.
