Page 42 of Gift from the Tree

“No, it’s a great thing. Looking from the outside, I was worried it was going to be uncomfortably fancy.”

“There are more elaborate rooms for balls, meetings, and ceremonies, and even this room will change with the seasons and occasions, but we like to keep the elements close,” I explain.

“Of course, but this is so beautiful.” She smiles, doing a little twirl in the middle of the room.

I can’t tear my eyes off her as she twirls in that teasing little sundress, the light in the room bathing her in a hypnotizing glow. There’s nothing overly revealing about the dress, but there are small cutouts on her sides, giving just a slight glimpse of her fair skin, and all I can think about is how pretty it would pinken.

While my eyes devour her, her eyes devour every surface she can see with wonder and curiosity. She may look sweet and innocent, but that curious nature and defiant look she always has in her eyes tell me she’s trouble. Sweet, sweet trouble, even if she doesn’t mean to be.

Leading her up the stairs to the administrative offices, Draken explains which office is whose, informing her it wouldn’t matter because she wouldn’t need them. I shake my head at him because normal students, not ones who are in a Nexus with the headmaster, do, in fact, need the staff members.

We round the corner and walk down a long hallway that comes to an end with a single door, with a plaque that reads “Headmaster Vito.”

Willow whips around to look at me. “Your last name is Vito. You own the academy?” She does catch on fast.

“The academy’s been in our family for generations. Technically, our Nexus doesn’t own it yet. My mother’s still does, but it’ll pass down, once I complete my tenure as headmaster and move on,” I tell her the partial truth, leaving out some of the finer details.

“Well, can I see?”

“See what?” I ask, faking confusion.

“Your office, obviously.” She raises her hand toward it, emphasizing she wants to go in.

“Come on, little wanderer, I’ll show you.” Draken grabs her hand laughing, hurrying over to open my door.

She charges through the moment he swings it open, halting when she makes it past the doorway. I lean my shoulder on the doorframe and cross my feet at the ankles, getting the perfect view of her. I forgot what it was like to have a wonder like that. Seeing everything for the first time, amazed at any and everything.

My office is more modernized than some of the office spaces up here, but I did add my own personal touch to it. I had the whole wall facing outside replaced with large windows that could be opened to allow a natural breeze in, and my brothers helped build the bookshelves, my desk, and the hardwood floors. A never-ending fireplace sits between the bookshelves opposite my desk, and off in the other corner is a built-in bar and sitting area.

“I never would’ve expected your office to look like this,” Willow says with a spark in her eye as she takes it all in.

“Like what?” I ask.

“Relaxing.” She shoots me a devious little smirk.

I hold back a snort of laughter because I can see how she’d think that. I know I’m a tad on the controlling side. I’ve been this way my whole life. I’m pretty sure when I took my first breath coming into this world, I inhaled the knowledge that there’d always be pressure and responsibility on my shoulders. A lot has always been expected of me. So the only way I’ve found that works to protect myself and my brothers is by being in control.

“Come on, we have a lot to look at,” I tell her as I turn and start walking down the hall.

We spend the next few hours showing Willow where her classes are. The archives and library, even though we don’t go in. I’d leave that surprise to Gaster and maybe he wouldn’t be so pissy with me. And we eat in the dining room, which I never fucking do, nor do I have plans to do ever again. There’s no moment of peace in there. Everyone wants to talk to me, ask questions, ignoring the fact I’m trying to fucking eat. No, we’ll be having our meals in my office every day or somewhere else private.

We crest the small hill leading up to the training fields. The five-hundred-yard turf is used for both combat and E.F. training classes. The classes rotate days and times, keeping the two courses separate, very rarely overlapping unless a mission comes up where they need to be combined. Tillman’s standing at the bottom of the hill with Ry, and as we make our way over to them, their conversation immediately cuts off as they turn to us.

“Corentin. Draken,” Ry greets us with handshakes before his attention falls to Willow. “Well, well, well. Who are you?” Ry asks with a playful smile, moving his eyes up and down, checking her over.

“Willow,” she says flatly. Not at all impressed with his flirty introduction. Ry goes to shake her hand, but she can’t even stick hers out because Draken steps in front of her.

“Fuck off,” he says, completely blocking Willow from Ry’s sight.

Fuck, he’s getting possessive fast.

“Oh, come on, Draken, I just want to meet the girl I’ve heard so much about.” Ry smirks, purposely trying to piss him off.

“You’ve heard about me?” Willow asks, poking her head around Draken while staying planted behind him.

“Oh yeah, Tillman hasn’t shut—”

“Leave,” Tillman orders.

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