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.”
I was a little caught off guard at his admission. “Apology accepted.”
He smiled and ugh, I loved it, until he said, “But I’m still pissed at you for telling Legacy.”
I folded my arms and didn’t give him the satisfaction of an argument.
∞∞∞
A couple weeks flew by. Aric didn’t try to approach me again, although when I saw him it still made me sad because he looked depressed. Legacy wouldn’t even talk to me about him either. And thankfully Zyacus didn’t bring the situation up again.
After my last class of the day, I laid down for a nap. I had a lot of plans this weekend. Tonight was a big tournament for seventh years. There had been a few smaller ones I hadn’t gone to but this tournament everyone would be at. Madison said the tournament for fifth years would start in a week and only those invited by her would compete. I was excited even if hardly anyone would come to watch us. The girls and I also planned a trip to the nearby town in the morning to get away.
Legacy shook me awake. “It’s time to go to the tournament.”
I rubbed my eyes. After freshening up, we made our way to the arena and up the stands. I spotted an opening next to a Collweyan boy. “Excuse me, are you saving these spots?”
The silver-haired boy smiled. “No. You’re welcome to stay.”
Something about him was familiar but I didn’t remember meeting him. His silver-blond hair was shaved on the sides but long and braided down the center of his head. His light skin was a shocking contrast to his onyx eyes and black lashes. His full lips were a warm color, probably the only thing warm on him, and attractive despite his unusual appearance. I read once that the sun only shines a few hours a day some times of the year in Collweya, and even when it does, it doesn’t warm the landscape. Perpetual cold. I didn’t understand why anyone would want to live there.
“I’m Kyan,” he said and looked at me a little longer, probably wondering if he’d seen me
