“Well, eat up and get to class. You’ve missed enough already.”
I chowed down a muffin and took the apple with me and as I turned to leave, Bindy said, “Do I need to be following you closer?”
The last thing I wanted was Bindy on my heels all day long. Everyone would notice and I wanted some privacy. “I’ll be fine, don’t worry.”
∞∞∞
Advanced Swords class came too quickly. I tried to keep busy talking and sparring with Lora. Today we chose our sparring partners and simply practiced. No competition. Anytime we had a break I kept my back toward Aric and Zyacus, hoping neither one would approach me to talk about Legacy.
As soon as class ended, Lora said she wanted to ask Madison a question and that she would catch up with me. I debated on staying but it looked like Aric and Zyacus were hanging around too so I bolted. Cowardly as it was, I didn’t know what to say to Aric. I felt bad for him and suspicious at once, two very conflicting emotions.
Chapter 18
I managed to avoid Aric for a whole other day before he practically mauled me on my way out to Advanced Swords. And by maul, I meant he came out of nowhere and slung an arm around the back of my neck.
Confused and alarmed I gave him a sideways look. “Um, hi Aric.” He’d literally never put an arm around me before so this was strange.
“Zyacus said you told Legacy about my curse then she broke up with me. So you need to help me fix this.”
I tugged out from under his grasp. “No, and that’s not why she broke up with you.” I only mentioned that part after she believed he was a vampire and she didn’t even consider that the mark might indeed be a death curse. I still wasn’t sure about either.
He sighed. “Then why?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Does she like someone else?”
Ugh, that was probably the best excuse I could think of. I couldn’t outright accuse him of being a blood sucking monster. It’s not like he’d admit it. “If I told you the truth it would only hurt you. Let her go.”
Taking a light hold of my arm, he stopped me and his expression grew solemn. “Please, I—I think—I love her. What can I do?”
Love? Oh no, why must this involve me? “I don’t know if you can,” I said truthfully. “I’m sorry.”
His bottom lip quivered for a moment and then he walked away. This was killing me. How could someone so sweet be a blood drinker? I needed to talk to Legacy.
Right before class started Zyacus and Aric stood beside each other chatting and both of them kept looking at Lora and me. “He said he loves her,” I told Lora groaning.
“Why did she break up with him?” Lora asked. “And will she be mad if I swoop in to mend his broken heart?” She laughed and I couldn’t help but smile.
“You’ll have to ask her,” I shrugged. “About why.”
“I did, and she said she wasn’t ‘feeling it’ anymore.” Lora’s eyes roamed over Aric like he was a juicy piece of meat she wanted a bite of. Then she looked at Zyacus much the same way. “And what’s with you and the other prince? Are you still in denial?”
“I’m not in denial about anything,” I crooned. “If he wanted me he’d come after me. That’s how Zyacus is. And I’m not sure I’d let him.” Although he was growing on me, the complications of that would be too much.
“I would.” Lora grinned and gave me a little shove. “You should. Even if it’s just for fun.” She watched him again. “I bet he’d be a lot of fun.”
“I’m the princess of Delhoon. I’m not allowed to be courted for fun.”
Lora frowned. “That’s stupid.”
Madison let out a loud whistle and drew our attention. “I’m sensing some tension so I have a game for you all today.” She waved a hand toward one side of the ring and a big bubble, about the size of my head formed. Then another one on the opposite side floating about a foot off the grass. “Visteal,” she pointed to the ground in front of her. “And,” her eyes scanned the others.
Don’t say Aric. Don’t say Zyacus.
“Zyacus.”
He stepped forward and we stood next to each other. I kept my gaze forward. I didn’t know what we were doing but this was the first time we’d gone up against each other since capture the flag.
What the hell is she doing?! She sensed tension and knew exactly who to call on?
“Visteal, that is your bubble,” she pointed to the one on the left. “Zyacus, the other is yours. The goal is to pop your opponent’s bubble and protect your own. But the catch is you’ll have your hands tied behind your back. You cannot use magic.” She tossed a sword in the center. “One sword. The bubble won’t break without it. Understand?”
“Yes,” we both said. Get your hands untied and grab that sword then bust the opponent’s bubble.
We stood on opposite sides with our wrists bound by rope. He watched me with a serpent smile clearly enjoying this.
“Kick his ass,” Lora shouted and laughter echoed.
“Begin!” Madison shouted and neither of us moved our feet but I worked vigorously to slip my hands out of the ropes. I guess this was good practice if we were ever captured and bound like this.
The class started yelling directions and cheered us on. I eyed him then decided to run for the sword first. Even if my hands were still tied. Bringing my hands down, I back stepped through my arms to bring them in front of me and then dashed for the sword. Zyacus had done the exact same thing but I grabbed it first. That meant nothing, he kicked it out of my hand and it flew high into the air. It landed blade down sticking in the grass.
I stuck my leg out and tripped him when he went for it; he crashed onto his knees. I laughed, this was actually fun and easing the tension between us, at least for me but I still wanted to best him.
Sprinting for the sword that landed at the edge of the circle, his shoulder collided into my side and somehow we both went down. I shoved up and his bound hands went over my head and around my torso, locking us together. Being so close to him did strange things to my body. A wild nervous-excited flutter filled my belly. He pulled me closer and whispered, “Sorry Princess but I can’t let you win this time.”
I wanted to throw my head back and give him a bloody nose but his chin rested on my shoulder. He probably knew I might do that and stayed out of range. Before I even knew what happened, he’d tied his rope around my wrists and was free. When he broke away, I tried to chase him down but he took hold of the sword and threw it, spearing my bubble.
Madison clapped and I gritted my teeth. He’d certainly gloat about this in the future.
After that, everyone in the class did the same drill so Zyacus and I stood off to the side since we’d already gone. “I hope you’re not still angry with me,” Zyacus said.
And here I was thinking he was angry with me about Legacy and Aric, like it was my fault they broke up. “About you winning?” I wasn’t that much of a sore loser.
He stepped closer to me so our shoulders brushed. “No, about putting you on the spot about your gift. I’m sorry. I realized I’ve done nothing to gain your trust and doing that only made it worse.”