I can't help but grin.
“Not those damn priority lists again,” he says, looking at me with a raised eyebrow, and I nod. “I’m sorry you've been subjected to that,” he mumbles, and I shake my head.
“I think your mother is my favorite person in the entire world right now. Your sisters are not far behind,” I declare, and he balks.
“We cannot possibly be talking about the same people,” he insists, and I grin.
“She has a way of bringing out the best in a person, even though you might not want or need her to, or even understand enough to see the end result. She just…”
“She's magic,” he finishes, and I nod. His eyes gleam with something different now, and it makes me smile even more. “So, do I get to see the list you created together?”
I scoff, putting some much needed distance between us.“Definitely not.”
18
IVY
I've never been more thankful for a heavy night's sleep in my life. I don't know if it was the exhaustion from combat training with Baron, or the lack of sleep the night before, but for the first time in a long time, I woke up refreshed this morning, ready to face the day and see what it brings, even if it does involve returning to classes after dying.Again.
Do I feel nervous? A little, but it's not as bad as I expected it to be.
I've died twice, and something deep inside of me makes it clear it will happen again and again. Strangely, I don't fear it. The pain still lingers, like a memory forged into my limbs, but I'm not afraid, not of death itself, nor those who wish to cause it for me.
The reality is, I have to be mindful of any retaliation. It seems killing me doesn't come with consequences, not on their end at least, it just causes me issues. But if I was to return the sentiment, there'd be no coming back for them, and I can't figure out how that would make me feel. Although, when my blood rages and burns hot, I'm curious to find out; consequences be damned.
I dreamed of heat, fire, and intense flickering flames all night, but now I stand before the mirror in my academy-issued uniform, looking no different than I did the first day I arrived at Neverbound Academy. Only now, I'm wiser.A little.
And not dressed in a tattered wedding dress, but I digress.
I don't look like a phoenix or a Fire Protector at all, except for my tie. I guess you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference, but I feel it. All the way to the depths of my soul.
A knock sounds from the door, distracting me from my thoughts. Pressing my palm against the wood as I reach the entryway, I’m acutely aware that it's Archer on the other side, just from the scent that lingers in the air.
Sucking in a sharp breath, I reach for the handle, opening it to reveal the man himself.
His hair is swept back, obnoxiously maintained and as pristine as ever. With his hands stuffed in his pockets, he rakes his eyes over me while I’m suddenly caught up in the words he left lingering in the air yesterday. They threaten to steal my next breath again as I sink my teeth into my bottom lip.
Yesterday was raw and very real, and to my surprise, he didn't want or insist on a response. And although I can feel the presence of those words now, there's no elephant in the room along with them. It's just present; a permanent reminder.
Trying to shake off the tension that lingers in my limbs, I clear my throat, tugging at the collar of my shirt. “Is it warm in here?” I mutter, reaching for my backpack at the door, and Archer slowly shakes his head before his tongue creeps out along his bottom lip.
“Is it your body again?” he asks, invading my space as he places his palm against my forehead, a small lilt to the corner of his mouth.
“I can help if you?—”
“I’m perfectly fine,” I interject, batting his hand away, and he steps back with a grin.
“If you say so.” His eyes rake over me, and it’s as though he’s visualizing what I look like beneath the uniform. The idea of his imagination alone sends a shiver down my spine.
Pressing my lips into a thin line, I stop myself from saying anything else as I breeze past him and head for the stairs. I hear my door click behind him, but he's at my side a moment later, stepping out into the morning sun.
I'm thankful for the rays and the fresh air, my steps instinctively slowing, but I don’t come to a complete halt as I focus on the wild flowers we breeze past. Talking threatens to let my guard down, and I’ve done that enough already. When my body is on fire, it’s like every other thought, feeling, and emotion goes out the window as I desperately plead for someone to put out the flames.
Archer hurt me. They all did. I’ll do well to remember that. Or, more specifically, my heated phoenix veins should know that we don’t like them.
I can’t even bring myself to look at him, never mind hold a random conversation, when all I can think about is the other night, when he helped regulate me.
To my surprise, he doesn't try to dominate the space between us. He lets me linger in the quiet as we bypass other students. Some acknowledge him with words or a wave, while everyone glares at me with accusing eyes.
