Page 41 of Broken Lands

“Oh my gods, get a room—wait, don’t, we share a room.” Bee’s laugh tinkled through the library as she approached, her eyes glittering with amusement. “Let’s go get lunch before you eat each other.” She threw a wink at me before grabbing her bag and striding towards the exit.

“Bee!” I exclaimed as I pulled away from Stefan, reluctantly untangling myself from him. A pang of relief flitted through my chest, relief that it had been Bee to call us out, and not Lincoln. I’d been clear I was interested in others as well as him… but still.

She laughed again before pushing through the large doors and heading toward the dining hall. I pouted at Stefan.

“Best you save your energy for class, anyway. First years always take a beating in physical combat, for the first few months at least.” I scowled at the grin on his face before following Bee.

I’d take any beating I had to, as long as it helped lead me to James.

Chapter twenty-one

Riley

Irubbedmyneck,trying to stretch out the aching muscles as Bee and I made our way to the training fields. The morning was fresh, a cool chill in the air and a gentle mist hanging over the academy grounds. Stefan had not been kidding about first years taking a beating in physical combat yesterday. I’d been knocked on my ass more times than I could count, and now every muscle in my body ached.

“By the gods, I could barely lift my spoon this morning. How am I going to lift any of these weapons?” Bee moaned as she rubbed at her arms. I snorted a laugh as we joined the rest of the first years huddling together to one side of the combat field.

I spotted Lincoln on the other side of the group, talking to the same guys he’d been seated with during Faerie Races. He hadn’t been in Physical Combat yesterday, and despite my blossoming relationship with Stefan, I’d wondered where he was, disappointed not to see him after our conversation yesterday.

I hadn’t been able to explain the pull I felt to him and to Stefan and Colin, too, until yesterday. Not that I was sure we were mates. But it was like there was something deep inside me that recognized all of them and desperately wanted to be closer to them. Undeniable. Just like Lincoln had said.

I watched him as he chatted with his friends. He’d shaved since I last saw him, his beard more of a soft shadow across his powerful jaw. His honey blonde hair was braided across the top of his head like a crown again, before splitting into dual braids falling down his back, reminding me he was a prince. Not just here, but in Faerie.

He turned, catching me watching him and offering a warm smile in my direction, his navy eyes brightening before he made his way over to where Bee and I stood. Bee winked at me, offered Lincoln a wave and a smile, and moved away to chat with a few other classmates.

“Good morning, Riley.” He said, taking my hand and planting a gentle kiss upon it, catching me completely off guard. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach as his eyes locked with mine, the depth of them capturing me the same way they did the last time we were this close. “How are you feeling? Father told me about the attack and how you saved Amy. I apologize for not knowing earlier, I was… too engrossed in my studies. It sounds like you performed a miracle.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t go that far,” I murmured, embarrassment causing my cheeks to flush. “It was a fluke, really; I don’t have very much control over my elements yet.” I shrugged, hoping he’d catch the hint and let the subject drop.

Did everyone know about the attack and what I’d done? I wasn’t sure how to feel about that. I didn’t know how I did it… or if I could do it again. What if someone wanted me to replicate it? I wasn’t sure I’d be able to.

He studied me for a minute, his eyes searching mine, looking for something I wasn’t sure he’d be able to find. “I am intrigued by you, Riley,” he said finally, his voice low and husky, the sound of it causing desire to course through me, my core tightening in response.Down girl.

“Good morning class. I am Florian Darkov; you can call me Flo.” Lincoln dropped the hand he was still holding, but didn’t let go, twisting and standing beside me to face our new Professor. Flo was a tall, willowy woman, with skin as pale as moonlight and jet-black hair set in a long braid down her back. She was dressed in a tight black leather outfit—fighting leathers, I realized—that only highlighted the paleness of her skin further.

She set down a large, heavy looking duffel bag before her, leaning down to unzip it before straightening and continuing. “This class introduces you to some of the basic weaponry used by our kind. Most of them are ordinary, some are enchanted, and others are blessed. Our elements can only do so much; our reserves only hold so much power. If you ever run empty amid battle, you will want a skill to fall back on. There is physical combat, and there are weapons.”

She waved her hands in front of her, and one by one different weapons rose from the bag into the air, floating on the wind before dropping to the grass in a line before us all.

“Wow,” I muttered under my breath, marveling at her control. I really needed more practice using the power within me. I could feel it stirring now, the well inside of me feeling replenished and full.

“Today we’ll determine whether you have a natural affinity for a particular type of weapon, or a connection to one that is enchanted or blessed. We will not begin training with any of them. Today is all aboutconnection. Hold them, weigh them in your hands, close your eyes andfeelthem. If we’re lucky, maybe a few of you will find a bond. Ah, here is the rest. Begin, I’ll come to speak with each of you shortly.” She waved to two men carrying a large crate, directing them on where to place it down and immediately unpacking it.

I dropped Lincoln’s hand and took a few steps forward, my eyes running over the long line of weapons lying before me. I felt him following me as I examined the pieces laid out before us.

There were daggers, swords, throwing knives—even brass knuckles. I’d never seen anything like this before. The bow and arrows the Resistance had attacked us with were the most violent weapon I’d been witness to.

“I know my way around a greenhouse. I’m comfortable with a pair of pruning scissors. But I’ve never even held anything like this,” I murmured, more to myself than anything.

“That’s what this class is for. Unfortunately, learning to fight and defend ourselves has become a necessity. Most of the class has no experience, just like you.” I glanced at Lincoln as he spoke, spotting a darkness crossing his expression.

“What about you? Have you been taught to defend yourself as Prince, or do you have guards for that?” I quickly scanned the field, noticing no guards were in sight. If he had any, I had yet to see them following him at all. None in class and none in the library.

He chuckled darkly, “My father believes a good king shouldn’t rely on guards for protection. I’ve been training to defend myself and my people my entire life. I particularly favor a trident. Come, I’ll show you.”

He held his hand out again, and I took it, craving the comfort his touch provided. I swallowed against the guilt I felt at that. I liked Stefan. I liked him a lot. But we hadn’t defined things. It was way too soon for that. I resolved to tell Stefan I’d agreed to go to the dance this weekend with Lincoln and see how he felt. We’re adults, right? We could have an adult conversation about this.

We walked along the line of weaponry, passing Bee, who was crouched in the grass, examining a pair of throwing knives with large rubies set in the silver hilt.

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