Apprentice (The Black Mage, #2)(85)

The irony was that my real enemy had been there all along right in front of me. Smiling crookedly and convincing me we were friends. Trying to seduce me for the thrill of the chase. Chastising me for not trusting him that first year in the tower stairs at the Academy… Telling me he loved me.

And then tossing me aside the second I jeopardized his dreams. I wasn't what he had wanted all these years. I'd merely been a diversion in his pursuit of the crown.

I never should have trusted a prince.





****





During the night of the ascension ceremony a huge fight erupted in the great hall. I wasn't there to see but I heard about it when Loren and Ray joined us in the tavern for a nice dinner to celebrate our new status as fifth-years.

"You should have seen it!" Loren was laughing. "Blayne may be fit but he doesn't have a chance when his brother uses his magic!"

"Yes, but Blayne gave Darren a good shiner at the beginning!"

"And then Blayne was out cold. The king couldn't stop laughing! You would think he'd be angry but he actually enjoyed his sons' brawl…"

I concentrated on my stew and tried not to listen closely as Alex and Ella quizzed Loren and Ray on the action. I didn't want to know. It just made Priscilla's words that much more true.

I had just braved another large sip of the steaming hot liquid when Ian swung open the tavern door. He looked handsome in his black mage's robe - such a change from the training breeches and linen shirts apprentices wore. He pushed back some unruly curls and then spotted me at one of the far tables directly across from him.

I had been so busy in the past couple of months, training and training and not letting myself think about anything except the apprenticeship, so it was a sudden jolt to the system when he nodded in my direction and pointed to a small table in the corner.

Ella and the rest of my friends were too absorbed in conversation to notice. I didn't bother to excuse myself before making my way over to the newly ascended mage.

I didn't know what Ian wanted but I thought it was safe to congratulate him on his new status.

"Thanks." Ian cleared his throat, gold-flecked green eyes bright. "Care to join me?"

I sat. And then waited, drumming my fingers against the rough table's wood, waiting for him to say whatever it was he had planned. I owed him that much.

Maybe he will finally tell me what he really thinks of me.

Ian drew a long breath. "I'm sorry I was so cold… I wish I could have said it sooner but I needed time."

"I'm sorry I hurt you." I forced myself to speak. "You deserved much better than me, in any case."

"For what it's worth, I really thought the prince cared. I know what I said, but at the time I was just trying to hurt you."

"Well, it looks like we were both wrong." I wonder, I thought, what it means that I chose someone as cold as Darren over someone as kind as you?

The Combat mage held up his drink. "A toast to better love in our futures."

I joined him. "May the ones we love, love us much better."

Silence.

Then: "Have you received any offers?"

"A personal request from Commander Chen in Langli. Apparently my performance in the port's mock battle impressed him."

"Are you going to take the position?"

"I already have. He was at the feast earlier when I accepted."

"You'll have good company." I smiled. "There's a mage who goes by Andy in their regiment. She's got the same humor and reckless disregard for authority you and I share. And you'll like Cethan, too. I served with him during that mission. He's a quiet brute, but he's steady."

Ian took another sip of his drink thoughtfully. "Where do you think you'll end up?"

"Wherever they'll have me."

Ian gave me a strange look. "Ryiah, you and Darren are the top of your year. You'll have commanders lining up to beg you. Don't forget it was your pain casting that won two mock battles, and you've still got another year to add another victory to your belt."

"I won't get any good offers when Byron gives me my ranking. Even if I am second only to Darren – which I'm not sure that I am - it doesn't mean much if I am at the bottom of the list during the ceremony. Byron despises you but he still gave Lynn the worst rank because she's a girl. Everyone knows the two of you should have placed first and second. Me? I'm a girl and he hates me – I'll be dead last in a procession of six."

Ian shrugged. "It won't matter. It didn't for me. Chen didn't choose me because I placed fourth, he chose from what he saw when I trained in Langli."

I sighed. "Well then, I definitely won't be stationed near you. We lost the mock battle that year – and Ella and I were the ones to cause it."

Ian gave me a crooked smile. "I guess not. But I'm certain tonight won't be the last time we cross paths. The Candidacy is only two years away. Maybe we'll finally get to have our duel? I know you've been dying to test your prowess in an arena. We are each one of the best in our years, after all. Who knows which one of us would win?"

I lifted my mug. "To our future match."

Ian winked. "To my beating you."