Page 79 of A Blackened Bond

It was a pity as I would have preferred to enjoy our time sparring longer.

We would both be leaving tomorrow and returning home for winter break. Usually, seeing my clan was something I looked forward to, the Elven Solstice being one of my favourite traditions, but now…a forlorn feeling is beginning to take root in me.

I glance toward Micai as we make our way through the old doorway and toward the old staircase.

It would be better for her to be home than here while the Representatives were around investigating the attack. At least there, she would be safe and surrounded by her family.

The Winter break was two weeks long, during which I wouldn’t be able to see or train with her.

A heavy feeling slides its way around my chest with the thought, tightening its grip on me as I watch her. I open my mouth to ask what she does, who she spends it with, or how her family would celebrate it.

But the words don’t leave my mouth, drying up instantly in my throat as I continue to gaze at her.

Why were all these strange emotions and questions about Micai spinning inside my mind? Why did it matter who she spent her time with or what they did? As long as she was safe, nothing else should matter.

Had I overstepped my boundaries in some way? Had my protectiveness over her twisted into something else?

I shake my head, grab the small black duffel hidden under the old stairway, and draw two large daggers from it, tossing one to Micai. She catches it with ease, a bright smile pulling at her cheeks as she flicks the blade between her hands.

She suddenly rushes toward me, trying to catch me off guard as she twists and turns, dodging each attack I throw at her in response as we battle back and forth.

She mimics all of my attacks, her own relentless yet still precise, each targeting any opening she can find. Something she’s become quite apt at seeing.

The strength and speed of her moves have grown stronger with each training and sparring session together, and she is reaching new levels of fighting I have only seen in veteran warriors.

My chest swells with a sense of pride as we clash. With something familiar joining it, something I can’t yet describe or fully comprehend.

I peer toward Micai as the sunlight shines down on her, illuminating each movement like a soft spotlight shining down just for her. She looks even brighter and more breath-taking as she dashes toward me, her blade gripped tight in her hand as she lunges for me and catches my dagger with her own.

I could spend all my days sparring with Micai and never get bored. Simply being in her company makes my day feel brighter.She isn’t like anyone I have ever met, or believe I would meet again.

A playful smile tilts her lips, and my heart picks up its pace once again.

My mind grows more conflicted and confused with the feeling.

She was my student, and I her instructor, nothing more…there could benothingmore.

This feeling was simply excitement…it was the bond between a mentor who had found their prodigy—the pride at finding and teaching someone with such strength and capability.

Micai was my student…and nothing more.

I frown to myself, feeling the wrongness in those words.

…Maybe the two weeks away would be a welcome reprieve. And would help me clear my muddled thoughts.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

MICAI’S POV

Istep under the shower, the water washing away the sweat and dirt from sparring with Gadriel just moments ago. It always feels exhilarating each time we spar and train together. We become lost in a moment and a world of our own when we move back and forth with our blades gripped between our fingers.I’ll miss it when he is gone.

Two weeks for the break didn’t seem long, and I relished the idea of not having to see any of those morons’ faces for that time. But not being able to spar or see Gadriel…I guess I had grown to enjoy his company more than I had realised. A curious feeling works its way through me with the thought of his absence.

We had said our brief goodbyes after sparring. His gaze seemed a little different than usual, and there was hesitation over his movements as he lingered for a moment before telling me to enjoy the Winter break with my family.If he only knew.

After scrubbing for a few more minutes, I step out and dry off, my mind wandering to where Annex, Ezra, and Mallyn are. They couldn’t still be doing their interviews; mine had only lasted a few minutes. But I had heard others had taken longer, with certain students being questioned for over an hour.

But I had been gone for at least a couple of hours. Surely they would be finished by now?

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