Page 65 of An Arcane Education
CHAPTER 27
On Tuesday, I show up to Plant Physiology and Biochemistry with a heart of stone after an entire morning of giving myself pep talks. When AJ makes a joke before class starts, I laugh a little too loud and lean in a little too close. Is it petty of me? Sure. Do I care? Not particularly.
Alaric’s gaze burns into me as he waits to start class, but I refuse to make eye contact. Throughout the entire lecture, I keep my eyes fixed on my notebook and take notes while maintaining a mask of indifference.
When class finally ends, I’m gathering my things and making an effort to keep a conversation going with AJ and Joanna in hopes that Alaric will leave me alone, but my efforts are in vain.
“Miss Harver, can I see you after class?” Alaric’s low voice carries through the room, and my heart rate skyrockets. Damn it.
I tell AJ and Joanna I’ll catch up to them in a few, andAJ looks at me with something between concern and curiosity. “Do you want us to just wait outside?”
I shake my head. “No, it’s okay. I’ll meet you at the dining hall?”
They agree, albeit hesitantly, and my stomach twists as Alaric waits until everyone has cleared the room before he speaks. To my surprise, his expression softens, as does his voice.
“Are you okay?”
The gentleness in his tone causes my walls to falter, but only for a moment before I steel myself again. “I’m fine.”
“I was worried about you when you didn’t show up to tutoring on Friday. What happened?”
“Something came up. Sorry.”
Alaric’s brows knit together in genuine confusion. “Have I done something to upset you?”
I debate going off on him here and now, but I’m just so… tired.
“You haven’t done anything wrong,” I say, because that’s the closest thing I can get to the truth. He hasabsolutelydone something to upset me, but he never promised me anything or led me to believe we’d be exclusive or together in any meaningful way. I’m hurt because I let my own expectations interfere with reality.
He runs his fingers through his dark hair, pushing it back off his forehead before it falls right back into place. “Okay,” he relents. “Will I see you this Friday for our session?”
“Yes. Thank you for your help, Dr. Vale.” I use the formality intentionally, and I almost feel bad for the look of chagrin that crosses his expression before I turn andleave the classroom. But this is what he said he wanted, right? A professional relationship and nothing more, despite all the mixed signals he’s given me.
Thursday’s class is a repeat performance of Tuesday’s, and I manage to finish my lab around the same time as AJ, giving Alaric no time alone with me as I hand in my paper and walk side-by-side with AJ to the dining hall.
On Friday, after my classes, I’m practically shaking by the time I reach Alaric’s office, and it’s not from the perpetual drizzle of frigid rain. I’m bundled up in a fuchsia sweater, a long, flowing black skirt, and fleece-lined leggings beneath to keep me warm.
My chest tightens as I make my way through the dark, empty stone hallways lit only by the flickering glow of the sconces now that daylight has receded. The days are getting darker and colder, casting a pall over the already tenebrous island.
Alaric’s office door is closed, but I can make out the thin stream of light from beneath. I knock.
“Come in,” he calls.
I push open the door to find Alaric behind his desk surrounded by stacks of books and loose papers covered in his sharp handwriting. He looks up when I enter with a carefully neutral expression but says nothing as I take a seat across the desk from him.
“Are we working in here today or heading elsewhere?” I ask in my most professional tone.
“We’ll stay in here today,” he says.
I nod and stay silent, waiting for his instructions.
“Why didn’t you show up last week?” he asks.
“I told you already. Something came up.”
He levels me an exasperated stare. “Why are you upset with me? And don’t try to tell me that you aren’t, because there’s clearly something I missed here.”
Huffing a sigh, I answer his question with another. “Why should I tell you? You never explain anything to me.”
