Page 78 of Autumn Queens & Shadows

“Stop acting like a big brother, I have plenty of those.”

His large hand flattened on my stomach. Once, then twice, he ran the tip of his thumb over the curve of my breast. The touch was so brief, so light, so gentle, that for a moment, I stood there contemplating if I’d imagined it. “Believe me, there isn’t anything brotherly about that advice.”

“Because you’re my friend?”

“If that’s what you want me to be.”

“Why would I want you to be anything else?”

“I don’t know, little bird. I’ve always wondered that myself. Why did you ever want me to be anything else to you?”

My pulse had turned erratic. “I was young and stupid.”

He made a noncommittal sound, dropping his eyes at the surface of the bright blue water that was slightly transparent.

“Eyes are on my face, Malik.”

“Wasn’t intending to look into your eyes, Thora.”

My breath was chilled despite the warm air and water. “Malik, what are you doing?”

“Taking a moment.”

“For what?”

“To convince myself to let go.”

“I can just hit you.”

“Would be greatly appreciated.”

I snorted and my head dropped on his shoulder while I laughed my sudden amusement off.

“Thora,” he groaned, his palm stretching over the expanse of my lower back. It looked like he was fighting off an urge between pulling me closer or pushing me off. Like always. It had always been like that. Two magnets who had no idea what side they were until we suddenly pulled to one another.

“What? Still scared of women, Malik?”

“Just this one.”

“Good. Be scared,” I said, pushing from him and swimming towards the spring stairs. The mist was thick enough to cover most of my body, but he was close enough to get a glimpse as I got out, fully naked.

Skadi was waiting for me inside the Lord’s quarters, and from the way she’d crossed her arms and hiked a brow up, she’d seen us.

“Don’t say anything,” I mumbled, drying my hair with a towel.

“I’m out of words anyway.”

“No words of advice or caution?”

“None that you would accept.” With a sigh, she followed after me into the bathroom, not caring that I was standing under the shower spray as naked as one came. “I do however want to remind you that the Modr Academy is due for a visit in less than an hour.”

So many had joined the new academies since I’d opened them ten years ago. Most still preferred to attend the public schools, some were forced by their parents to since they upheld old Isjordian traditions that the academies refused to follow, some were unsure about joining, but at least they felt curious enough to spy the students through the barred gates. Every fine detail in the teaching program was overlooked by many scholars all over Dardanes, to ensure the kids were being taught life outside of our wintery borders as well as that inside. No generation growing under my rule would be fed the hate they were being fed before, the greed and the utter lack of empathy.

Classes were no longer small like they had been ten years ago, no longer made of only those who were old enough to choose to attend it against their parents’ wishes. Many were as young as Sam.

Even though everything seemed in order, I remained in the academy’s yard, hidden by a tall pear tree and watching the children leave their classes and run to their concerned parents waiting for them while others ran off into the city.

I usually always stayed and watched this part.