Page 87 of Awakened Ash and Alchemy

“I think you may have,” he said, letting his thumb brush over the dips and ridges of her knuckles. “Because the rain has not stopped.”

“How?” She frowned slightly, when he’d preferred that smile. “That’s absurd. The professor said those rooms were magically protected. Are you sure a student didn’t do it? Honestly, I wouldn’t blame them. That class was putting me to sleep.”

“None of those students are powerful enough for that kind of magic.”

“It was just rain. Besides, Tamarr told me you have people who can control the weather in Paradox.”

“We do, but that’s against the Accords.” Like it was against the Accords to be with a mortal—even then, he still didn’t let go of her hand. He couldn’t. “The walls in the Magick School are warded against all kinds of magic.”

Well, it was supposed to be.

This rain magic was so new that the professors raised the alarm at the wards not holding. And the only new entity within the Keep was the woman with one green eye and one blue.

“You were speaking about fire extinguishers and sprinklers in the roof just before it rained.”

Her smile fell, along with her pretty eyes dimming as if the light was being squashed inside.

He hated doing that to her. But he was Captain of the Sworn Exarchs, and the Vanguard’s Keep was a big part of their defenses against all forms of magic. It’s why they had a Magick School, to ensure that if anything new arose, they could counteract it. It had proven time and time again that the curiosity of children brought about the biggest discoveries.

But not in this case.

“Angela?”

As she shook her head, the damp strands clung together in shades of red threaded with warmed wheat. “No way. I didn’t do that. I’ve never done that.”

“Maybe you were not aware that you could.” Like her truth compulsion magick he had yet to discuss with her.

“No.” Her denial was edged with fear. “I can’t make it rain inside a building.”

“Angela, listen to me.” He lowered his head to hold her gaze, giving her hand a tender squeeze. “The wards remain intact. No structured spell is present. And yet the rain continues. It’s not harming anyone; it’s just water.”

She swallowed, but the calculation in her eyes was a clear sign of her turning over the scenario. Another trait he admired, how her intelligence matched her natural beauty.

“How about we go back, and see if you can stop it?”

“Why?” She pulled her hand free. “I didn’t do it.”

“I believe you.” And he did, as much as he felt her confusion blend with a touch of fear. “But let’s see if we can fix it.”

He extended his hand toward her. It was a simple gesture. Yet it always worried him that his touch would burn her.

It could never be simple, or ever be taken for granted, to feel her fingers brush against his, to slide into his palm that wrapped around hers, turning it into a truly precious gift that soothed the fire dragon inside. And so he waited for that moment, hand extended.

It should not be like this.

The Accords were clear. The Vanguard did not entangle themselves with mortals. They did not bind their power to fragile lives that would wither in decades. And they did not blur the lines between protection and possession.

Yet here he stood, waiting to hold this woman’s hand.

“I’ll be there with you the entire time,” he added quietly.

She hesitated. It was to be expected.

“The rain hasn’t stopped, and…” Allowing the faintest trace of humor to thread his tone, he said, “At this rate, they’ll have to install a drainage system on the second floor to prevent flooding.”

She nearly huffed out a laugh, almost giving him back that smile of hers.

“Please.” His hand was extended and open between them. Well aware of the gift she was, he smiled when her fingers finally found his. “This way…”