Page 49 of The Daughters of Nyx

I swallowed thickly. “Thanks. I’m sure I can get work done here. I just need the space to do it.”

“Of course,” he replied. “We won’t disrupt you too much. Rowan and I just need to set wards and protections around your room at some stage, and I’ll get the charms started for you. But otherwise, we’ll stay out of your way.”

I set my backpack down onto my desk chair and unpacked it slowly, my thoughts a jumbled mess, which I didn’t think even Adrian had the capabilities of sorting through. “You’re a mage. Is that basically like a witch?” I asked cautiously.

Adrian smiled and approached the desk, his eyes remaining on me. “Yes and no. Well, there are witches—they’re the female magic wielders. Mages are male.”

“So, that’s magic. Spells, potions, stuff like that?”

He nodded. “Pretty much. We can have affinities within the magic. Rowan and I have different affinities. Mine is charms. I trained specifically in this area, like my father did before me.”

“I’m guessing youdidn’tgo to a regular human school, then?” I’m not entirely sure why I wanted to keep him talking, but the ease of his presence and the way he settled me surprised me.

He chuckled. “No. I went to an academy. The magical world has six major academies that cater to our youth. The island of Avalon has the most prestigious: Oberon Academy. The others are scattered around the world, hidden with ancient magic. There’s one in the Fae realm too.”

My brows rose. “Fae realm?”

Adrian gave me a brilliant smile. “The Fae haven’t always been the biggest supporters of Nyx and her Chosen Queens. But they kneel to Queen Greer, and they’ll kneel to you too.”

I shuddered and wrapped my arms around myself. Fear and apprehension circled me as I stared up into Adrian’s eyes. “That’s a lot of info for now,” I muttered.

“I’m sorry.” At least he looked apologetic, and I couldn’t help but smile at that.

Bag unpacked, I stared down at the piles of work I still had to do. Part of me didn’t want Adrian to leave; I almost begged him to stay and tell me everything, regardless of how overwhelming it all was.

But I needed some semblance of normal. My mind, however, didn’t want to comply, and instead flashed to familiar red hair and a snarky smile. “Final question, because this has been bugging me: did Rowan really have a migraine the day we were meant to go out for coffee? Or was it…something else?”

Adrian ran a hand through his dishevelled, golden hair. “He did, in a way. I don’t think I’m in the position to explain how his magic works, Ivy, but I didn’t lie to you that day. He was really disappointed in not being able to see you.”

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. “Sure. That’s why he’s all but ignored me since.”

Sighing, Adrian leaned against my window, his green eyes focused entirely on me. “I won’t ever lie to you, Ivy.”

“How can I believe you? How can I…trust you again?”

Something like hurt flickered in his eyes. “I’m sorry that I couldn’t tell you up front about who I am. But would you have believed me if I did?”

No,I replied silently, I wouldn’t have. But I shrugged. “I guess not, but I did trust you, Adrian. With a lot. And now I’m questioning everything you’ve done. That you’vealldone. You do understand why, right?”

His face darkened for a moment, before that shy, easy smile appeared across his face. I waited for him to respond, but all he did was nod his understanding and slip out of the room, leaving me with my own thoughts.

17

MAEVE

THE tablet in my hand flickered on,revealing Sir Ya’Dahir’s familiar tanned skin and violet eyes. The Queen’s mate set his tablet onto a flat surface before bowing his head at the Queen, who waited patiently with tired eyes. Beside her, Seer Sable watched with a wicked gaze and grim smile.

I bowed low and brought my fist to my heart. “My Queen.”

“I didn’t expect to hear from you so early, Maeve,” she said, her voice oddly quiet. “Has something happened?”

Rising from my bow, I rested my hands in my lap. “We found her quite quickly, and have settled in close to her. However, last night, she was attacked by hellhounds.”

Queen Greer’s lined face fell, a frown deepening her lips. “Is she alright?”

I nodded. “Yes. We got to her quickly and evaded any harm to her person. We were forced to reveal ourselves to her, however.”

The Queen stiffened. “What does she think?”

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