Page 54 of Veiled

In a whisper so quiet I almost don’t hear it, she says, “I think I really like him, Lee.” Before she slaps her hand over her mouth like she can’t believe she just admitted it out loud.

“I know you do, Sash. Wanna know a secret?”

“Of course!”

“He likes you, too,” I beam at her. “So maybe one of you should tell the other one. And then, you could do more than look at each other in that way.”

This time, instead of slapping her hand over her mouth, she slaps my arm.

“What has you two all giggly?” Matt asks when we meet him at the Parade Grounds.

“Nothing!” Sasha shouts as we take our places in formation.

Thankfully, we didn’t have any deaths or major injuries over the weekend, so accountability goes pretty fast.

Walking with Perry to the Combat Arena, I’m filled with a mix of excitement and apprehension. I’ve managed to avoid seeing Captain Korr since I snuck out of the infirmary last week to avoid him; a minor detail I haven’t told anyone.

But how am I supposed to face him after last week? The flirting I did at the start of class, followed by the humiliating reaction I had when he was simply doing his job.

Luckily, Ariel is waiting for us by my stretching wall, so Perry and I make a beeline to her, not having to look around and risk potentially making eye contact with Korr.

“You’ve been grouped based on your barracks for sparring today, so you’ll all learn early on not to underestimate the people you sleep next to.” The sound of Captain Korr’s voice makes everyone else immediately stop talking.

“You will rotate pairs in the pit at each buzzer. Some barracks have fewer recruits than others. If everyone in your group has sparred, find a new partner and go again. Now, start stretching.

“Miss Corvin, a word, please.”

Well, there goes any chance of avoidance.

“Of course, Sir.” Not a hint of last week’s flirtation is left in my voice, but I can’t help but remember his reaction to the way I called him Sir last week. The way his pupils blew, the way he—

Nope. Focus Annalise.

I follow him to the North side of the arena, where his office and the practically abandoned locker rooms are.

Stepping into his office, I'm surprised by how impersonal the space is. Three white walls and one navy are all unadorned. The only hint of this office belonging to anyone is his gym bag on a chair in the corner of the room, and a silver-framed photo of him and one of the most stunning women on his desk. Her long blonde hair waves perfectly around her face, framing her delicate, pale features and spattered freckles that kiss her nose and cheeks.

She’s in his arms, legs wrapped around him, bodies pressed together like they were making out until someone told them to smile at the camera.

Fucking great. Is it still considered homewrecking when I didn’t know he was in a relationship?

Even if he wasn’t flirting, which I am pretty positive he was, the blatant checking out of my ass was definitely not innocent. What an ass!

Korr gestures for me to take a seat, but I ignore him and stand, leaning against the wall closest to the door for easy escape. Any respect I had for him has gone out the window, and I want this conversation over before it even starts.

Thankfully, he doesn’t push it and just sits on the desk instead of taking his own seat.

“Miss Corvin, I wanted to check on you and talk about what happened last week.” He sounds hesitant, almost apologetic.

“I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine. Healers gave me a great tonic, and I was all healed up before dinner.” Even I can hear that my voice is clipped and my answers concise.

I’m pretty sure I hear him mumble “Of course you’re fine” under his breath before he speaks up.

“I’m glad to hear you’re feeling better. About your—” he pauses, looking for the right words. “state after the course—”

I knew this was coming, but I tense anyway. Maybe I should apologize for my reaction, but I don’t want to relive a single second of it, let alone explain it.

“I apologize, Sir, but I would rather not discuss it. I’ve been checked out and cleared to be back in the ring. Friday’s class was a one-off and will not happen again.”