Page 78 of A Blackened Bond

A strange look forms on his face at my words, some realisation glinting in his eyes before he turns toward me and slowly nods, taking a slow step back.

“Then we shouldn’t waste any more of our time together.”

Gadriel’s POV

I watch Micai as she makes her way through the forest, following closely behind as we make our way to the old training grounds. The sound of her heartbeat and light steps, combined with the gentle sounds of nature surrounding us, slowly calms me.

Back at the academy, I had felt more rage and fury than I had ever felt before. When I saw that dreg place his hands on Micai, a darkness I thought only came to me during battle began to rear its head and roar in my ears. When I saw his hands on her, a bloodlust like no other burned in the pit of me, begging to be set free.

Micai.The thought of anyone hurting her had my fingers itching for my blades, a need to lash out at those who threaten her and slay them with my bare hands.

I wasn’t one for mindless fighting and never wished for violence or found amusement in it. But I wasn’t above sullying my name or dirtying my hands for the ones I cared for.

The prints left on her light skin—nail marks—embedded in her soft flesh…My fists clench, my heartbeat quickening again as I imagine his twisted face toward her before he heard me. It was a vile look; one filled with pure contempt and disgust toward her.

I should have properly dealt with him then and there. And made him pay heavily for the marks he left on her skin and the beastly way he treated her. Micai had suffered enough.

I had yet to get retribution for the day I found her in the forest. Her body was bruised and scratched back then too, with many marks left from the hate and contempt she received for no reason at all.

This time, I wouldn’t be standing back or keeping quiet. I’ll report Verod to the Dean and have him properly reprimanded by the academy and Council for his behaviour.

The Council…Would they properly punish one of their own?

They have been known of late to play favourites and not follow the rules of old. Some could even say the majority have lost their values and morals to greed.

A small sigh leaves my lips as I glance at the lithe figure making light work of the forest path before us. I want to help her and shield her from those who wish to cause her pain, knowing she’s already faced more than one her age should have. She is a fighter, but that doesn’t mean she should alwayshaveto fight. Even the strongest of warriors need a place to rest and a place to feel safe.

And sometimes, that haven can be found in the company of another.

ButVerodwould still have to be punished. And if the Council or academy wouldn’t do it…then I would. He deserved more than just a tap on the wrist, and I would be more than happy to be the one slicing it off.

We’re nearing the old training ground, the dilapidated building in our sights, when Micai suddenly loses her footing.

I jump forward, catching her before she falls or hurts herself. My arm wraps around her waist, pulling her into my chest to steady her. I feel her heartbeat pick up under my touch, her chest holding a breath as my own exhale brushes down her neck with a small pink blush creeping into her cheeks as my fingers lay flat against her.

An unfamiliar feeling works its way around me. My heart rate picks up, my breath catches in my throat, and a soft warmth works its way into the fingers holding her as I gaze into her wide, endless blue eyes.

“Thank you.” Micai gently pulls away, straightening herself and pulling me from my slight daze as the blush in her cheeks becomes brighter.

She brushes a loose strand of hair behind her ear, and my fingers flex with the movement. A feeling of wanting to reach out and caress the soft strands between my fingers crosses my mind before my brows furrow, and I quickly shake it away.

“I didn’t realise I would get taken down so easily by a loose tree’s root.” She gives me a small grin, “I guess I need more training than I thought.”

A grin of my own stretches my lips with her words. She suddenly freezes, her eyes slightly widening as she watches me before the blush in her cheeks deepens to a richer shade.

“Micai?” Why was she frozen? Had she hurt herself somewhere when I caught her? How had I missed that?

I glance down her body, searching for any minor cuts or injuries.

She turns back toward the old building just as I open my mouth to ask her what was wrong.

“Let’s head in quickly. We don’t have a lot of time before the rest of the faculty begin their patrols.”

I nod, following, as she leads the way once again, scanning her quickly and finding no injuries or minor wounds as we walk together.

As Micai mentioned, we wouldn’t have as long as we usually did to spar with the other faculty members on patrol tonight.

Mannox would shift into his bear form and thoroughly cover the forest area within and around the academy grounds during his night patrolling. So much as a twig cracking would attract my fellow defense instructor and alert him to our presence.

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