At my question he shrugged. “It wasn’t working out.”
Taz usually opened up to me so I pressed. “Why? You two seemed happy like a week ago.”
Taz’s golden eyes drifted to me. “It’s not that there was anything wrong per se,” his voice trailed off for a moment, “I lost interest. She’s nice and pretty but there was never any real spark. Having conversations was hard for some reason. It felt like we had nothing to talk about. So we usually just kissed but I want more than a physical relationship.”
I half smiled and rubbed his arm. “You’re such a great guy, Taz.”
His cheeks colored. “Thanks.”
“We should get some happy unicorn cookies before the matches start.”
Taz shook his head. “They’re not selling them with the famine. It’s the worst.”
“Oh,” I murmured. “I forgot.”
“I’m getting real sick of cheese, beans, and oats.”
I watched groups of students filing into the stands as the time to start neared. “I have a feeling it’s not going to get better any time soon.”
Taz’s eyes suddenly widened. “Did you hear about the storms? Thunder so loud it shakes the ground. Lightning striking and setting off massive fires.”
I had not heard this. “When did this happen?”
“Yesterday. I heard the storms are in Collweya.”
One more thing to add to the list. Cheering erupted as a Delhoon girl took the center of the arena with her hands raised. A second girl entered, from Collweya and waved at those of us in the stands. Soon the clash of swords and crack of magic filled the air.
When our girl in black, brandishing a crimson phoenix on her armored chest won, the crowd roared a deep, “Delhoooooon,” drawing out the “o” sound.
I checked the list and Zyacus wasn’t up for several matches and my bladder was about to explode. “I’ll be right back,” I said, racing down the steps. I spelled to the entrance of the bathroom and after I finished my business I washed my hands. I checked my hair and makeup in the mirror, satisfied with the look of things, I stepped out of the exit.
“Good evening, Princess.”
I startled at the male voice and whipped to my left to see Firo Hazelvale. Ugh, did this guy live here now? He wasn’t a student or professor, and last I checked he didn’t belong to the guard.
“Firo,” I said with a nod and headed for the stands.
He materialized in front of me, forcing me to skid to a halt. Lifting my eyebrows I waited for an explanation.
“I have a question you may know the answer to. Would you help me out, your highness?”
“If I can.” I truly did not want to help Firo, I didn’t trust the man but I couldn’t be rude to one of our biggest benefactors.
“Do you see the death of everyone you touch or only certain people?” He stepped closer to me. “Could you see mine?”
My heart spasmed, how does he know about my curse?! I took in a deep breath to calm myself. “Not everyone.”
He held out his hand, offering it as if I should take it. “Will you indulge me?”
My eyes narrowed at him. This was what I’d always wanted to avoid; the masses begging me to try to foresee their death so they could try to change the outcome. I never wanted to be a seer for hire. I wouldn’t be.
“I don’t think I will.” Even if I did see his death he couldn’t change it. I’d learned that too many times over now. When I went to step around him he grasped my arm. Although Legacy had tried to get me to wear something that showed a little more skin again, I’d opted for a long-sleeved shirt. “Get your hand off me.”
“I don’t like being told no.” His voice lacked malice; rather he sounded as if he were being playful.
“I said, get your hand off me.” My voice on the other hand, held plenty of malice for the both of us.
His grip didn’t loosen. “If you don’t, perhaps you’ll get a premonition of the death of one of your friends in the near future.”
I couldn’t believe what he’d just said. “Excuse me?” I balked. Then I twisted in his grasp, I went to shove him with my other hand and he caught it. He clamped his hand around mine—skin to skin. He watched me waiting for something. A flash of panic zipped through me but when nothing happened, I jerked back.
“You didn’t see anything,” he stated.
“No.” I clenched my teeth together. How dare he force the contact and threaten my friends to get his way. “Your punishment for threatening me may not be death but you will leave this academy tonight and never come back.”
“Oh, I don’t think so,” he purred.
“Why are you even here?” I wanted to threaten him, to tell him I’d force him to leave with my influence but I thought it prudent to ask some questions first.
“I’m recruiting for my family. Checking out the prospects.”
“For what?”
He curled his fingers and checked his nails as if bored with the conversation. “To protect family interests. There’s a variety of things we need people for.”
“Recruit elsewhere. I don’t want you here anymore.”
“Is that a command?” he asked in a condescending tone that made me want to stab him.
I rushed him and wrapped my hand around his neck, squeezing hard. He may be bigger and stronger than me but I paralyzed him with magic. “I am your princess and you will respect me and do as I say.”
A serpent smile tugged at his mouth. “Oh, you’re going to fit right in.”
“Fit in where?
