I flush hot, not quite able to meet his eye. “Just muttering to myself.”
Arlon’s curiosity fades to concern as he asks, “I just wanted to check in on you. And apologize again for yesterday.”
“It’s alright. Olbric and Cancassi kept me company,” I say. Arlon looks like he’s just come from the baths, his hair still damp. “Did you get everything sorted that you needed to?”
Arlon’s smile is strained. “For better or worse, we did.”
Silence stretches between us, heavy with the things neither of us are saying. Yet I can’t get my thoughts off of what I saw in the woods.
“Lucien is still being held in the King’s prison, right?”
Arlon goes very still, and it’s no longer Arlon but the Grandmaster I’m talking to. His eyes search me, his arms crossing over his chest. “Why do you ask?”
The shift in his demeanor makes me immediately regret it. “It’s nothing,” I say quickly. “Just been curious if the Crown’s said anything about what they’re gonna do with him.”
Arlon sighs. “Lucien is dead, Dom.”
The words hit like a sucker punch. “O-oh. Fuck.”
“I was going to make the announcement tomorrow night,” Arlon says, the grief heavy behind his eyes. “His past casting partners deserve to know.”
I nod numbly, even as a cold dread creeps through me. If Lucien’s dead, then I really am losing my mind.
“Are you alright?” Arlon asks gently.
“Just... sorting through it, I think,” I hear myself say.
Arlon tsks before he pulls me into a gentle embrace. I clench my eyes shut tight as I bury my face against his broad chest. I suffer the wave of emotions silently as Arlon’s hand strokes comfortingly down my back. When I finally pull away, I feel numb.
“Are you alright?” Arlon asks again.
I nod, rubbing my aching eyes to avoid looking at him. “I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?”
I nod before putting on a smile I don’t feel. “Are you?”
Arlon’s hand cups my cheek. “I will be. Garrett and Bridgette are coming to stay the night.” He presses a kiss to my forehead before asking, “Do you have any plans for this evening?”
But I hear what he’s really asking. He wants to be sure I’m not alone tonight, either. “Olbric’s going to come keep me company.”
His thumb strokes my cheek, and for a moment, he looks as lost as I feel. “You know that you can talk to me about anything, right?”
The weight of all the things I haven’t said suddenly feels like it’s crushing me. I fight back the panic that tries to curl around my chest as I force another smile. “I know, sir. Thank you.”
Arlon seems to be waiting for something that isn’t coming. He hesitates for a moment longer before his hand falls back to his side. “Have a good night, Dom.”
“You too.”
I retreat back into my room so I don’t have to see the disappointed slump of his shoulders as he heads down the hall.
Fucked
Mishaps can happen while casting and conduiting. It’s important to keep proper materials nearby in case of such an event. Scissors and a healer’s kit should always be close at hand.
Fundamentals of Magic by Eroland Lockhart
WHEN I DON’T SEE DOMin the mess hall for dinner, I grab two bowls of stew and a loaf of fresh bread to share before I head up to his room. I awkwardly knock with my foot, and he gives a small laugh as he opens the door to see me juggling it all.
