Page 86 of Gift from the Tree

“Gaster said that your control was unmatched, far superior to when people’s gift first emerges, so I was expecting you to at least be on par with the first years based off the things he told me, but with direction from someone with an air affinity as well, you far surpass any others who would be in the first-year class. It’d just slow your progress down to keep you there.”

Although his delivery is robotic, like he’s reading facts off a piece of paper, I still glow under the praise. If he feels like I’m good enough to skip a whole year of classes, then I have to be doing better than I’m giving myself credit for.

“I knew you’d kill it, little wanderer.” Draken beams at me proudly before giving me a quick kiss that lights my body up like a damn Christmas tree.

Down, girl, too many people in this room for that.

“So anybody else have exciting news?” I ask the room as I make my way over to the couch. My body freezes in shock as Corentin and Tillman take a seat on either side of me, again causing Draken to laugh and my face to flame.

What is going on right now?

“We got a tip on a rebellion camp that could possibly be used for holding hostages. We’re getting a scouting team ready now, and if their information comes back good, we’ll be planning a mission for three weeks from now,” Tillman says. That didn’t sound exciting. That sounds petrifying.

“Who’s we?”

“Me and Caspian will be heading up the teams. The majority of Ry’s Nexus, which is a part of team one and team two will accompany us.”

“Why do you and Caspian have to go?” I’m not sure why, but the thought of either of them going on a mission has my stomach turning, which is a ridiculous reaction. It’s Tillman’s job and from my understanding, and Caspian does a little of everything around here.

“’Cause if they’re holding innocent kids hostage, then they’ll need the best of the best to get them out alive, and that’s us.” I only jump a little when Caspian steps out of the shadows. His voice is laced in a bone-chilling, icy tone, but at least this time it doesn’t seem directed at me.

“This rebel group is kidnapping kids?” I ask, shocked. I’ve only caught bits and pieces here and there about this group. No one seems to want to go into detail with me about them.

“Yes. The scouting team is preparing to leave. Tillman, Draken, I could use your help with sendoff.” He looks at them, only sparing me a small glance, one way less hostile than normal before disappearing through the shadows.

“Wait, you all aren’t leaving today to go somewhere, are you?”

“No, kitten, just down to the training yards to help with preparations for the team to leave. We’ll see you at E.F. class.” He gives me a quick kiss on the forehead before bounding for the door.

“I’ll see you in a few,” Tillman murmurs, sending lightning through my body from the quick squeeze he gives my knee. All I can do is nod at him, my mind not catching up with my voice. I’m not even sure if he realizes he did it or not, but that simple touch sent electricity sizzling through every one of my nerve endings.

It isn’t until they leave the room that I realize this means I’m stuck in Corentin’s office with him, alone, for the next hour until I have to leave to observe E.F. class. I look over at where he’s moved to the chair behind his desk, already busying himself.

“So…”

“We’ll finish our lunch, then I have some paperwork I need to finish up. You can read or look around, whichever you’d like, then I’ll escort you to the fields,” he says without even looking up at me from his communicator.

“Why do you do that?” I ask.

His need for control, routine, having everything planned out to a T, seems so exhausting. I’m all for structure. I don’t want to live in constant chaos, but damn, sometimes you just gotta be in the moment. I never got that opportunity until I came here. Constantly answering the demands of Donald, there were never moments for me to enjoy and now that I have the opportunity, I want to take it every chance I get.

Face still in that communicator, I grow frustrated and pissed that he’s completely ignoring me, so I grab the pillow beside me and chuck it at him. Satisfaction blooms across my chest when it hits its mark, fucking up his perfectly styled hair. I’ll get a reaction out of him, one way or another. It’s an itch under my skin, a need I can’t shake, to force that emotionless mask to come crashing down.

He’s on me faster than I can blink. I didn’t even see him move from his chair. I shriek as he pins my hands above my head.

“What do you think you’re doing, princess?”

Well, I got what I asked for. He’s fucking livid. I can see the amber in his whiskey eyes burning. Not exactly the emotion I wanted to get, but I can work from here. I let my body go completely limp. I know he won’t hurt me, his vow from our breakfast ringing true in my mind.

“What’s your favorite color?”

He pulls back slightly, looking down at me like I’ve lost my mind, but it seems to distract him from his anger.

“What are you trying to do, Willow?”

“Trying to get to know you. I don’t understand why you hide behind an emotionless mask all the time or why you need to plan every moment of every day out for everyone.”

For the longest moment, he just stares at me, indecision warring in his eyes.

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