Chapter 41

Reign

Well done, princess. A smile threatened across my lips as Aelia dazzled Professor Gleamer with her luminous daggers, which proved not only mesmerizing but also lethal. She'd managed to impale an iguanid with the ethereal blade and received a round of applause from the old Fae. One trial down, five more to go.

Ethereal Light Sculpting would be the easiest, by far.

The Shadows Whisper, which would take place in the Court of Umbral Shadows, had become my biggest concern. Not only was her safety an issue, but I feared I'd have to take out her entire class of first-years if anyone caught sight of her dagger's power. Knowing Aelia, forbidding her to use it would only strengthen her resolve.

My thoughts flew to the matching dagger I kept hidden in my chamber, the one I'd wiped her memory clean of. As far as Aelia knew, Aidan had only gifted her one dagger all those years ago. I'd waffled for days about the second… If he knew I was in possession of such a weapon and had kept it a secret?—

I squeezed my eyes closed, refusing to visualize the consequences of my betrayal. As it was, I feared for Gideon. Had I known the secret those daggers held, I never would have entangled my friend in the matter.

Forcing my weary lids open, the glint of the silver bangle on my wrist caught my eye. It was a damned shame Aelia's dagger had no effect on these cursed manacles. It was the first thing I'd tried when I had the mystical blade to myself.

And now there was another dragon, with not just any rider aboard. Dragging my hands across my face, I heaved out a sigh. Perhaps I should send word… The moment he sees Aelia on Solanthus he will undoubtedly set his sights on her. When had my life become this tangled web of deceit? Why had I ever agreed to any of it?

Because you had no choice. Phantom's feminine voice streaked across the tangle of thoughts. Even in hiding across the river, she often wiggled her way into my mind. Most often when I needed her most.

What would you know?

More than you think, my friend. Fate is the unseen current that pulls us inexorably forward, guiding our steps and shaping our paths, even when we believe we"re the ones holding the map.

So you are saying that no matter what I do, we are all doomed?

That, I cannot answer, Reign. I only know that your fate is written in the stars and that destiny is often the path we discover in a vain attempt to avoid the inescapable.

You're remarkably sullen, yet poetic today.

I've heard of the new dragon hatchlings, and it pains me not to meet hi—them.

The sorrow in her tone reached all the way to my depths, wringing and twisting my insides. I wished Phantom could be free, but I simply couldn't risk it yet. Given the strength of our bond, she'd inevitably come to my rescue and the truth would emerge.

One day, Phantom, I promise. She and Solanthus would make quite a pair, indeed. I wondered of the disposition of the slate dragon. Given that of his rider, he'd surely be a handful. And Aelia would be his first target when he set his sights on her dragon at the term-end battle.

"Well, are you going to congratulate me or just stand there staring?" Aelia's voice snapped me free of my somber thoughts. She appeared before me, her bright silvery blue eyes radiating light and a sparkle of mirth as she regarded me expectantly.

"Well done, princess," I whispered, that elusive smile only she could conjure spreading my lips. "But don't get too cocky, you still have five more trials to pass."

"Professor, even your dark mood couldn't dampen my spirits today."

"I'm glad to hear it."

Rue and Symon rallied around their friend, each taking an arm. "Come on, Aelia, we're going to celebrate," the female cried.

"Celebrate?" I quirked a brow.

"All of Flare team passed, so Heaton has granted us a day off tomorrow," Rue explained.

"Isn't that generous of him?" I couldn't disguise the hint of annoyance in my tone. He was much too lenient on his squad, and they'd ultimately pay the price.

"Aelia doesn't have to train this evening, does she?" The Lightspire male ticked his chin at me.

"Oh, please, let her have the night off, professor." Rue pressed her palms together, pleading. "She'll be back to work the following day."

My gaze chased to Aelia's, whose expression remained neutral. Did she truly wish to drink herself into a daze with her classmates? Perhaps it would be for the best for us to take a night off. I could sneak across the river and attempt to discover more about Aelia's dagger.

That Symon male pulled his arm from hers and laced it around her shoulders, brushing his finger over the rounded tip of Aelia's ear, earning him a squeal. My blood boiled. I fisted my fingers at my sides as my shadows rioted in a furious windstorm. Fuck, just the idea of one of those Light Fae males' hands on her had my murderous tendencies rushing to the surface, let alone being forced to witness it.

"Reign?" Aelia squirmed free of Symon's hold and stepped toward me. My shadows encircled her, weaving and twisting until they blanketed us both in eternal night. I drew in a sigh as the peaceful darkness swirled around us. Noxus, I missed the night. "Reign?" Her eyes darted up to mine.

Calling back my shadows, the dark tendrils released her, and I knotted my arms across my chest. "Yes, I'm fine, Aelia. Take the night off; I need a break as well."

A hint of disappointment clouded her eyes before she spun around to join her friends. I couldn't keep my traitorous gaze from trailing behind her, long after she'd disappeared from the hall.

* * *

"Damn it, Reign. You must move more quickly." The headmaster glared up at me from his desk. "I thought your freedom meant something to you."

Grinding my teeth, I searched for a calm I did not possess. Having to deal with this sniveling fool was grating on my last nerve. "It does," I gritted out. "I've already told you, Aelia's latent abilities are a complicated case." Not to mention those daggers.

"You spend practically every moment glued to the female. How have you not been able to determine the source of her powers?"

"There's something blocking her," I blurted. If I kept this up, pretending I'd learned nothing, he'd truly believe me an incompetent idiot and send me packing.

His pale mossy eyes widened. "A spell?"

"That would be my guess."

"Hmm." He drummed his fingers along the desk as he stroked his silver beard with his free hand. "Then I'll summon a spellbinder from the neighboring kingdom of Mysthallia. Surely, someone should be able to unravel the incantation."

"Possibly…"

His wild, light brows knitted. "What is the problem with that?"

I can't have you finding out the truth before I do. "It would alert others and call unwanted attention upon our court."

"That is a weak excuse, even for you, Darkthorn." He slowly rose from behind the desk, those watery eyes following every twitch of my hand. "Please don't tell me there are other reasons for your reluctance, professor?"

"Of course not," I ground out.

Draven crept closer, and a whisper of rais lit up his palms. "It would be entirely unseemly for an instructor of this esteemed Conservatory to engage in improper behavior with a student."

"I assure you it is not that," I growled. "I care nothing for the girl."

"I should hope not, otherwise your tenure at the academy would quickly come to an end, forcing you out into the Wilds to live out the rest of your banishment."

It took every ounce of restraint to slide my lips into a smile. "I would never dream of it." Threads of darkness coiled around my fingertips, eager to strike down this insufferable male. I shoved my hands into my pockets and took a step back.

"Good."

I turned toward the door, my mounting fury inciting my nox into a frenzy.

"One more thing, professor." He hissed my title like an insult. "I did not appreciate being caught unaware in front of the king about your dragon."

Curses. I'd been waiting for him to bring her up for days. I was surprised the old bastard postponed the discussion for this long. "There was no reason to bring her up. Once the mark of the banished was carved into my flesh, our bond was severed." I spun around, eyes narrowed. "As you can imagine, it is not something I prefer to speak about."

He dipped his head, almost reverently. "That is understandable. And you have no idea where the dragon is now?"

"I do not."

"That's a shame. I was so thrilled when our little Kin was chosen by a dragon, but every bit of excitement was drained when I set my eyes on the beast across the river."

"It's almost as if the gods were urging us to play fair. With each academy in possession of a dragon, the end of the term battle should find us on equal footing."

The headmaster grunted. "I wish to annihilate Malakar and his precious Citadel."

A chill surged up my spine at the mention of Arcanum's unhinged headmaster. I'd suffered under his tutelage for four long years. I'd never forget his words the day I enrolled. At Arcanum Citadel, we achieve strength from darkness and power through pain. Those who survive the first year, I pity you. For at least the slaughtered will dwell peacefully in the arms of Noxus, while the rest of you will now have your souls forged in hell fire.

"As do I." Without another word, I marched out of the headmaster's office, shrouded in a tempest of shadows.