Page 26 of Elemental Affections

“I don’t know if that makes it better or worse. Those cheap glamours only do basic changes.” Eunny smirked. “I note that you came here asking about prohibition,notmisconduct.”

Dae glared at her.

“I take it the sexual relations were consensual?” Eunny said. “Enthusiastically so?”

“Shut up.”

“Enthusiastic consent, then, noted.” Eunny tapped her finger against her chin. “Truth? It’s nice to see you’re enjoying yourself up here.”

“I hadn’t planned on it going like this.”

Eunny made a dismissive noise. “Oh, please. There’s been something unrequited between you two forever. It was obviously mutual when you ran into each other here last week.”

“We— No—there is not somethingunrequited,”Dae sputtered.

“Not anymore.”

“You sound like him. Out of hissystem.”

“Do I?” Eunny cocked her head to the side. “Interesting.”

“What do you mean?”

“Your eyes might need checking, but he doesn’t have that excuse. You said he knew it was you.” Eunny took a sip of her tea. “The ‘fuck it out of his system’ angle? You two are…” She gave a low whistle.

“We aren’t anything. History. Past tense.” Dae rubbed her temples. “I took an assistantship with him. What am I supposed to do?”

“Keep it.”

Dae’s hands faltered, pressing against her head. “What? Why? I can’t.”

“Do you really have a choice?” Eunny asked. “It’s going to keep you at Sylveren. It might be a little awkward, but—”

“He lied to me.”

“True, and lying is bad,” Eunny agreed, bowing her head. “But close proximity, denial over the requitedness of the feelings, and he’s technically going to be your boss? This is just ripe for something to—”

“It was a mistake,” Dae said. “Unwanted. Never to be repeated.”

“Keep telling yourself that,” Eunny said. “Give me the whole story, though. Why did you kiss him?”

“He kissed me!” In the back of her mind, Dae felt a slight twinge, a niggle not of doubt but … correction. She ignored it. “Anyway, it happened because I needed to hide. From Brint.”

She explained the sudden arrival of her ex-fiancé and the swirl of rumors he’d brought with him. Eunny swore, her earlier good humor replaced with disgust.

“I’ll see if anyone in town knows anything.” She crossed her arms, mouth twisting. “He didn’t try and get in touch with you before he just showed up? A week after term’s already started? Seems odd.”

Dae shook her head. “No, but it’s only a matter of time before I can’t avoid him any longer, I’m sure.”

“Well, the Valley is bound to hate him, so there’s that. He never struck me as the persevering type, so maybe he’ll leave at midwinter for good.”

“The Valley will kick him out?” Dae said, hope rising.

Eunny’s sigh squashed her budding optimism. “If only. Doesn’t work like that. But it’ll try in its own way. Having never been unloved by this place, I don’t have firsthand experience, but it just … lets you know.” She gave a vague wave of her hand. “It’s a subconscious thing.”

“As long as Brint leaves me alone, I don’t care what he does,” Dae said. “He’s a light mage. In theory, we shouldn’t see each other.”

“Especially if you’re taking that seminar. Calm yourself.” Eunny held up a hand to stay Dae’s indignation. She waved to someone over Dae’s shoulder. “I want you to meet a friend of mine. She’s a grovetender studying for her Magister One, sort of.”

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