Apprentice (The Black Mage, #2)(97)

"The day I am crowned princess will be the best day of my life," Priscilla continued. "Believe me when I say you are lucky to be lowborn, Ryiah; a highborn's struggles are more tiresome than you could ever know."

There. That was the reason I didn't pity her. Not truly. "One. My status as apprentice means I am no longer 'lowborn,'" I snapped. "And two. My struggles are just as relevant as yours."

The girl rolled her eyes.

"I find great pleasure in knowing that it is one of your own that is stealing him away," I told her flatly.

"And here I was trying to be polite!"

"You are wasting your breath. You are just as cold-hearted as Darren. Any pity I feel at your situation vanishes every time you open your big mouth."

The girl stopped smirking. "You have grown vain in light of your magic, Ryiah. Were we friends, I might use my influence to have Byron give you a high rank at our ascension - but let me assure you, even if you were the best apprentice of our year, you will be ranked last without my help."

"I'd rather be last than align myself with you."

The girl glared at me. "You are making a mistake."

"Her only mistake is talking to you. Why don't you find some other hallway to haunt with your presence?"

I grinned as Ella appeared next to me on the stair. Priscilla spun off to find better company and I turned to Ella. "Thanks. That girl spends half her time trying to belittle me and the rest of it trying to convince me to join her little army of minions."

"She is afraid of you. Priscilla knows you have power and it scares her. Last thing she wants to do is make enemies with the future Black Mage."

I snorted. "I find that highly unlikely."

Ella looked thoughtful. "Maybe. And maybe not."





****





The rest of our time at the Academy seemed to pass by even faster. Suddenly the solstice had arrived and the castle grounds were covered in snow. Most of my time leading up to the ball was spent with Alex, who had calmed down since his temper tantrum in the keep's infirmary.

When it was time to dance, I left my friend to my twin and headed outside after a quick visit with Sir Piers. It was strange to be surrounded by so many eager-faced first-years and know that I had been one of them, enthusiastically sharing in drinks and laughs, just four years ago. I still had five more months at Ferren's Keep, but the ascension took place in Devon, not Sjeka. Tonight would be my final night within the Academy walls.

"Feeling nostalgic?" Darren appeared beside me, peering over the balcony rails at the white landscape beneath. I started. I hadn't even noticed him enter.

"I spent so much time dreaming about becoming a mage." My words were barely a whisper. "I don't think I'll know what to do with myself when it becomes real."

"I doubt that." The prince's expression was wry. "I think the second you are ranked, the commanders will all be scrambling to give you a spot in their regiment."

That was the second time someone had told me that. I still didn't believe it. "I hardly think that will be the case."

"I do."

An awkward silence followed and then Darren cleared his throat. "I never got a chance to ask," he said quietly, "how you were faring. After the battle."

"Are you asking me now?"

"I am."

"I'm fine." I couldn't think of what else to say. Anything else felt like a betrayal.

"I'm glad." I made the mistake of meeting his eyes and saw… I'm not sure what I saw. My emotions were running so wild I couldn't trust myself. Every inch of me was screaming at his proximity and my skin was fighting to make contact.

"Thank you…" I swallowed. "For coming back for me that day. I'm sorry about Eve… I know she meant a lot to you."

"She..." I could hear the break in his voice as he said it. "She didn't deserve to die. Not for me."

"I'm sorry."

"So am I." Now he sounded angry and his eyes were flaring crimson. "Her death will not go unpunished."

"What are you going to do?"

"When I returned to Devon, I met with my father. The Council and his advisors have been adverse to take action but this time it's different. The Caltothians have grown bold – sending that many men to attack our key northern post. Our men and women depend on that forest for lumber and now a quarter of it is burned to the ground. The daughter of the Crown's Army command is dead. Several of the regiment? Dead. You and I were almost killed." He clenched his fist. "I admit the nobles could look the other way while half of Jerar is destroyed – they are that opposed to war - but they can do little to ignore Father after he found out his own son was almost murdered."

I bit my lip. "So we are going to war?" The Great Compromise had been in place for almost a century. It seemed impossible.

Darren looked away. "As soon as my brother and I secure our marriage dowries to finance his army."

Oh. How could I have forgotten? It must have been because he was standing so close to me, eyes burning like fire. Robbing me of the last year and a half. Darren was still Darren. Just because he was kind did not mean he loved me, or that he wasn't a prince. It didn't matter how he looked at me. Nothing had changed.