At first, I want to argue. Ineedto do this right. But the thought of starting over makes me feel like sending bolts of lightning bursting from my fingertips, so Isis is probably right. Even if I’m not happy about it.
With a groan, I release the death grip on my quill and let it clatter to my desk. “You’re right,” I say.
She flicks her tongue at me, giving me a look that says,I always am.
I cap my inkwell and slide my essay and blank parchment into the desk drawer, then glide my fingers softly over Isis’s head before standing and going to join Poppy in the sitting room.
Alina and Lyra are up in our loft, but Poppy is curled up in her favorite chair, a blanket draped over her lap, an old book and a sheet of parchment balanced on her legs.
I sink onto the couch across from her. “Don’t tell me you’re studying already,” I grumble.
Poppy’s lips turn up in a small smile, but she doesn’t meet my eyes, still focusing on the book. “Of course not. I’m working on translating these orcish runes.”
She finally looks up, and I notice the necklace she’s wearing, with the ring Aric gave her hanging from the chain.
“Wasn’t that his mom’s?” I saw him with it all last year, after Poppy helped him with the rune map early in the semester.
Poppy’s brown cheeks go a little pink, and she nods as she takes it in her fingers and holds it up. “Yeah. She didn’t get a chance to teach him their runes before she passed, and I’m determined to figure them out. Though... they’re a bit trickier than I expected.” She lowers the ring and tilts her head. “I think I might need to go back to the library.”
“I’ll go with you,” I say. “I could use the walk.” My brow furrows. “Isn’t the library closed though?”
Poppy’s smile goes a little bashful. “The librarian gave me my own key. But don’t tell anyone; I’m really not supposed to access it after hours.”
I laugh, making Poppy blush some more. “Your secret is safe with me.”
Poppy puts her book and notes away and folds the blanket, and then we slip our boots on and call up to Alina and Lyra that we’ll be back soon. Out in the spiraling stairwell, the air is a bit cool, and it feels good against my skin. Raelan, Alina’s knight and dragon shifter fiancé, stands stoically in the corridor, like a statue made of gold.
When he sees us, one of his dark brows arches in the corner, his eyes narrowing. “Where are you two going?”
Poppy opens her mouth to tell him, but I quickly sling an arm around her shoulders and say, “Wouldn’t you like to know, Sir Ashvale.”
His brow arches a little more. “You know I worry about all of you.”
“We know,” Poppy says softly. “We’re justgoing to the library.”
I smile and roll my eyes. Poppy has a thing for always listening to authority figures. Lyra and I have been trying to train it out of her, but so far, no luck. At least I know my stepbrother won’t ever take advantage of her soft nature.
As frustrated as I was with him last year, I think he’s been good for Poppy. She’s come out of her shell a bit more, and she seems happy, though I know they miss each other, with him being in Faunwood for his apprenticeship.
“The library?” Raelan tips his head. “Isn’t it closed?”
Poppy pulls a key from her pocket and holds it up. “Not to me.”
A low laugh rumbles out of Raelan, and he shakes his head. “I should’ve known.”
“So, do we have your permission to leave?” I ask, and Raelan flicks his gaze to me. Some of his mannerisms remind me of Isis; it must be his reptilian side coming through.
“You’ll do what you want regardless of what I say.”
My lips pull up into a smile. “Right you are.”
I tug Poppy away, and she waves and says, “Bye, Raelan.”
He just shakes his head again, his mouth quirking up on one side.
Poppy and I descend the north tower, passing a few other students on our way. At the bottom of the stairwell, we take a connecting corridor that’ll lead us to the library.
“Have you visited Aric?” Poppy asks as we walk, our boots making light thumping sounds on the stone underfoot.
