Page 61 of The Last Aether

Phoenix studied me as we walked. “How did you do that?”

We climbed the stairs towards the library, and I glanced at Phoenix. “He likes it.”

“What?”

“Any kind of attention you give him. Aiden gets his rocks off on your anger and violence. I think if we all pretend he doesn’t exist, he’ll leave us alone.”

Phoenix made a humming noise as if he were mulling that over.

Riven opened the door to the library and held it for us. “I think not engaging is the right play, but I’m not sure he’ll give up that easily. He hates Phoenix too much.”

Pain flashed in Phoenix’s eyes. He’d already lost one sibling. It had to be killing him to be at odds with another.

I wrapped my arms around Phoenix, hugging him tight. His arms came around me and his chin rested on top of my head. “I’m okay.”

“No, you’re not. But that’s understandable.”

“Love you, Aura,” he whispered in a gruff voice.

I let the words swirl around me, coating me in their warmth. “I love you. More than you’ll ever know.”

“I do know. I feel it every day.”

I burrowed deeper into his hold, but as I did so, I caught a glimpse of Riven with such longing on his face. Guilt cramped my stomach. I didn’t want to hurt Riven. But I also couldn’t imagine letting my guard down like this with him. Not yet.

* * *

Quincy shifted in his seat at the long table towards the back of the library. We’d been poring over books for hours without much to show for it. Phoenix and Riven had left an hour ago for a staff meeting they were required to attend as teaching assistants.

But my guards still stood watch, keeping a respectful distance. Egan’s head was on a swivel, but Carn looked like he might drop off at any moment. I felt a little bad. I was sure they were used to much more exciting details than trailing me during study hour.

Quincy glanced in my guards’ direction and then back at me, leaning in closer. “I need to ask you something.”

I shot a quick look at my guards. They were focused on the points of entry to the library, not on me. “Sure.”

“When you bonded, did you develop a mark by chance?”

My jaw dropped a fraction.

“I’m taking that as a yes.”

My fingers hooked in my uniform blouse, and I unbuttoned the top button, giving Quincy a glimpse of the silver markings before refastening it.

Quincy stared at my collarbone even after my blouse was back in place.

“You’re kind of freaking me out, Quincy.”

He blinked, shaking his head. “Sorry…I’m just trying to figure something out.”

“You read about a mark somewhere?”

“Yes, but it was different. I need to do some additional research. There’s a contact I have in another kingdom who might be helpful—”

I grabbed Quincy’s arm. “You can’t tell anyone about me. The bond.”

Understanding bloomed in his expression and he laid a hand over mine. “I would never, Aura.” Then he grinned. “I’ve been writing a book on aethers for a number of years. I have the perfect cover to ask these kinds of questions.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. “Be careful.”