Page 37 of A Blackened Bond

“Are you okay, Micai?” His brows pinch together, his eyes scanning me up and down quickly before removing his hands.

“A small bump like that won’t do me much harm.” I smile, and his expression softens a little.

“I saw you at the assembly…” his features darken, his gaze glancing toward the forest. “Your attire was…” His brows pinch together, and I remember how torn and messy my dress and I had become. “I was worried something may have happened.” He meets my gaze, a tender look forming in his green eyes as he continues. “Although I know you’re more than capable of handling any beast that may try to…I couldn’t help but worry if you had been hurt.”

He scans me one more time, a small sigh escaping his lips.

“Thankfully, you seem to be okay.”

Seeing his genuine concern for me makes me smile a little. “I’m fine.”

It had been a horrible night, one where I thought I had lost someone I’d only just realised my feelings for.And one I never wanted to experience again.But those weren’t things Gadriel needed to hear.

I can see the tired look in his eyes. He had probably been on patrol last night with the faculty and hadn’t gotten much rest since the attack.

His blonde brow pinches downward with my words, his deep green eyes glimmering with a slightly hesitant look as he opens his mouth.

“At the assembly, you had…friendsaround you?”

He was worried again for me. And then I’m reminded once again of the little kidnapping incident and Gadriel finding me in the forest.

Something slides across my chest with the anxiousness working its way into his features for me.

Gadriel, at every turn, had extended his hand out to me, even taking time to teach me privately and arm me with a precious blade to protect myself. I didn’t trust many in this academy, but he would definitely be one of the people I know I can trust.

“I was with them during the attack…”

A small look of relief enters his gaze as I continue, “We stayed in the old training building until everything had calmed down.”

He nods contemplatively. “As long as you were safe.”

And then I remember the elven blade he had given me the night of the dance, my brows pinching together. It had been left in the forest when Annex was attacked. I hadn’t even given it a second thought. Guilt floods me, seeping into me as Gadriel takes a step closer.

His deep green eyes skim along my face. “Are you truly okay, Micai?” His voice falls to a whisper as he bends down toward me. “Has anyone bothered you? The ones you were with at the assembly…they haven’t caused you any problems or pressured you—” His fist clenches by his side, his green eyes darkening as the words leave his lips.

“No! They would never—” The words freeze in my throat, my gaze meeting his as he stands mere inches from my face.

My eyes flit toward his lips as they open before quickly closing once again.

The chattering of passing students has him snapping out of whatever daze we’ve both fallen under as he takes a step back, brushing a hand down the back of his neck.

“Once you were safe.” He glances toward the cafeteria, the space filling up with students as he turns back toward me. “Have you informed your family of the delays to the Winter break?”

It was a harmless question, probably pulled from a genuine place of consideration and care for me. But it’s a question I instantly dread.

Gadriel didn’t know about my relationship with my family or lack thereof. He might have sensed something with the other students, but I don’t think he’s ever seen me interact with Seria.

Let alone know about the bad blood between us.

I haven’t told him anything; everyone thinks she’s an Angel.

So why would he think I have a terrible relationship with my family?

“Did you have to reschedule any of your family plans?” His brows begin to furrow with the brief silence between his questions. And my mind starts running. He didn’t need to worry about my family situation.

“No,” I shake my head. “No plans needed changing.”

There weren’t any to change, and I wasn’t planning on returning there anyway. The word‘Home’and that place didn’t fit together.

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