A Thief of Nightshade(11)

She did as he requested and felt them round the corner. “You can open them now.”

She did and while she would have loved to feign excitement, she saw nothing. “I’m missing something, aren’t I?”

He pointed up. High above them stretched an amazing filigree dome that reflected the light around them with diamond-like facets

that

had

been

purposefully cut into the metal. It looked like a thousand shooting stars exploding across the sky at once. “All the stars I’ve missed,” she mused.

“Sometimes all the little things we think we’ve missed turn out to equal one amazing thing that we wouldn’t miss for all the world.”

She smiled as he spoke, but couldn’t look at him.



Jullian cupped her chin and turned her face to his, saying tenderly, “Or one amazing person.” He pulled her closer then and kissed her. It was tentative at first, but deepened quickly. Both of them struggled for breath when he finally pulled away.

“Let’s get you home,” he whispered.

She almost didn’t go to class the following Monday. She certainly had plenty to keep her busy at work, but eventually she would have to face him again. She held her breath as she heard the door to the lecture hall open behind them and waited to see him round the corner, but instead an older professor with gray hair and a ruddy complexion took the podium. He cleared his throat and turned around to write his name on the dry erase board.

Dr. McCormick?

“My name is Dr. McCormick. Dr.

Sellars regretfully had to withdraw from teaching this class, so I am his replacement.”

Aubrey felt like she was going to be sick. She glanced at Sam, who grimaced.

“Maybe it’s not what you think,” Sam whispered.

“It’s exactly what I think. I shouldn’t have listened to you.”

Sam started to reply, but Dr.

McCormick

cleared

his

throat

purposefully, so for the remainder of the class they both focused on what he was saying. When class was dismissed, Aubrey remained in her seat, taking in everything.

“I’m sorry,” Sam said

“It’s not your fault. I have no one to blame but myself.” Aubrey rushed to grab her bag and bolted for the door. She held it open for Sam. “I made a complete fool out of myself. You said yourself that he wouldn’t let Darin carry me into the house. God, what he must think of me.”

She put a hand to her forehead and closed her eyes.

Sam, who faced the portico from the opposite direction, said, “Aubrey, look —”

“I don’t need a pep talk. This whole thing was ... I knew better than to get attached to him.”

“Aub—”

“I know what you’re going to say Samantha, and—”

“Aubrielle Wright will you shut up and turn around!” Sam shouted.

Aubrey, taken aback, turned to see Jullian. He stood with his back against a pillar, a dozen roses in his hands and a huge grin on his face. A small group of students stood around them, eyes glued to the unfolding drama.

“I can’t court you properly if I’m your professor, now can I?”

“I thought...”

Jullian stepped forward to give her the flowers. Once she had them in her hands, he took her bag off her shoulders to carry it. “You thought wrong.”





Chapter Six


Avalar


“GALYDON,” AUBREY SAID IN AWE. THEY

HAD just passed through the main gates and though she remembered Jullian’s description of it, he hadn’t done it justice.

“It’s beautiful.” The architecture was simple yet elegant, the decor mainly wood and stone. They walked through several empty streets before coming to an open market, each stand covered in rich tapestries and filled with exotic wares.

She could barely hear herself think over the loud chattering and heckling. When they noticed that Aislinn escorted a human, all noise ceased.

Aislinn took her arm, urging her forward. “It’s okay, they won’t hurt you.

They just don’t see humans all that often.”

Hushed voices murmured all around them.

A human?

Does the King know she’s here?

What does it want? Haven’t they taken enough from us?

Don’t look at her!

Aislinn scowled and rose on two feet. “Enough! Go back to your business, all of you!”

She wanted to thank him, but something about his expression warned her not to bother. Lipsey clung to his shoulder, his ears twitching as the market gradually returned to normal. It wasn’t long before they reached the castle. Once beyond the central doors, they traveled down one long hall after another until they reached what she could only assume was the throne room.

“You’re on your own in there,”

Aislinn murmured.

She looked around, surprised by their lack of company. “No one watches the doors? Doesn’t the King have guards?”

Aislinn opened the door for her. “He has no need for them.”

She swallowed hard and walked over the threshold. That was intimidating.

The huge room had a grand hearth at the far end, where flames danced and sparked.

“Hello?” she called out. Nothing.