Apprentice (The Black Mage, #2)(78)

Overall the mentors still outperformed us in casting and physical prowess.

"If you think about it, since we started the apprenticeship the mentees have won every year." Ray joined us at our table, eager to be included in the night's debate.

"That's true." Ella stirred her cider with her finger. "And it's uncommon enough as is. Perhaps the streak will continue."

The tavern was noisy – but not so much so that I couldn't hear the door swing open for its newest customers. Especially when the whole room went silent. I turned just in time to see Priscilla, Darren, and Blayne appear in its entry all laughing loudly at something their unknown companion had said.

My blood turned to ice. I was all too conscious of his presence. I fought myself to keep from staring.

To redirect my thoughts I studied the stranger instead.

The girl was of islander descent like Lynn, with the same straight black hair and almond eyes. Unlike the apprentice, however, she dressed much more elaborately. The material that made up the stranger's gown and cloak was something I had only seen once before, in one of the merchant stalls in Langli. Borean silk.

What really caught my interest was how the girl held herself. When she spoke to the crown prince and his brother there was no hint of awe, no fear, none of the usual trademarks of someone addressing their better. Either the stranger knew Blayne and Darren very well, or she was royalty.

"Is that…?"

"Princess Shinako!" Lynn squealed. I watched as the fifth-year ran up to greet the girl in fine dress.

Shinako instantly broke off her conversation to embrace her old friend. The two started to exchange excited greetings, but Blayne interrupted with a curt, "Shina!" The princess rolled her eyes and then Blayne grabbed her arm, whispering something that made her redden instantly.

The princess murmured an apology to her friend and then shoved her way past Blayne to strike up a conversation with his brother instead.

"What do you think he said to her?" Ray wondered.

"It's Blayne," Ella's gaze followed the princess, sympathetically, "so probably something horrible."

Alex darkened. "If I ever catch him or his brother in an alley alone…"

"You won't do anything." Ella gave my brother a sharp look, but her voice softened as she added, "Because if you do, you'll be thrown in prison and what life would that leave us?"

Alex gripped my friend's fingers tightly.

Neither of them said anything more. They didn't need to.

I turned to Ray, feeling uncomfortable with the exchange. I was happy for Alex and Ella, I was, but every time I saw how easy it was for them a dark, gnawing jealousy began to eat away at my stomach.

"Romance only slows you down."

I tried a smile and found it came a bit easier than it would have three months back. "Thanks."

"What are you thinking for tomorrow's strategy?"

The tavern door swung open again and I found my eyes unwillingly tearing toward it. A second later I regretted the action when I realized who it was.

It took Ian even less time to spot me. The moment he did irritation crossed his features.

A second later the fifth-year turned heel and strode back through the exit.

Ian would be not partaking in the festivities tonight, not as long as I was part of them. The door slammed shut and I heard Ray's low whistle.

"Guess it slows others down too."





CHAPTER FIFTEEN





"Why should he lead?"

The entire grouping of second - and fourth-year mentees swerved their heads to look at me. Even Ella and Alex looked surprised.

I held my ground and repeated myself. "We didn't even vote. Darren shouldn't get the role of command just because he is a prince. There are other fourth-years who would like the opportunity to try."

"Like you?"

I swallowed as Darren's garnet fell to me. For a moment he almost looked hurt, but any residual surprise quickly morphed into indignation.

"I have led us for two years."

"And only once to victory - which you wouldn't even have been able to do without me." It felt good, I realized, to speak out.

"Last year we failed because of your and Ella's flagrant disregard for orders!"

"Your orders were wrong!"

"I was the leader, even if my orders were wrong you should have listened to me!"

"So I should just blindly follow an idiot?"

"Enough!"

Both us stopped arguing as Eve stepped in between us. The girl, usually soft spoken, was unusually loud.

"I don't want to hear about any more of our past battles. We won one, we lost one. For everyone's sake I am going to offer myself as commander. I don't agree with Ryiah's assertion that Darren was chosen for his bloodline – I happen to think he is very good at leading - but I do think it would be a nice change to let someone else take the reins for a day. And, no, Ryiah, I don't think it should be you. You and Darren are too much alike. Both of you are risk takers. It's time we had someone who approached things more cautiously."

I bristled at that last insinuation. That Darren and I were the same in anything irked me to no avail. I was not reckless. Darren didn't look too happy either.