Page 10 of Elemental Affections

Yerina flapped her hands at Anadae’s protest. “A pot of the house blend. And I’ll grab a plate of the teacakes—last ones for today.” Yerina whisked off.

Anadae watched the older woman depart, a tightness in her chest. The reception of her plans was so different here than at home. Both times a surprise, yet with opposite results.

You brought this on yourself. Don’t blame us for unhappiness made of your own ignorance.Calya’s words rang in the back of Anadae’s mind. The memory stung, yet the bite began to lose its edge the more it played in her head. Perhaps her sister was right. She had been ignorant. Trusting. The Ana of the past had capitulated to her parents’ expectations, afraid of disappointing them—convinced herself that her patience would be rewarded. The Ana she’d been had pretended indifference when her relationship with Brint had failed in every way except for ending.

“You all right, Ana?” Eunny said.

“Just thinking.” Anadae regarded her friend. “I—I don’t think I want to go by Ana. She’s the past, and I don’t want to be her anymore.”

“You’re not. You’re here,” Eunny said. “So, what should I call you, then?”

She thought for a moment. “I still like my name, so Anadae is fine. But maybe … Dae?”

“Dae,” Eunny said, slowly, as if testing out the word. “Easy enough to remember.”

When their tea and cakes arrived, they toasted to her new name. After hearing about the daily goings-on of Song’s Scrap, talk turned to Dae’s current predicament.

“Froze you out of the account? Damn. That’s my mother’s level of petty,” Eunny said around a bite of teacake.

“I was able to draw some before I left, so I’m not entirely destitute,” Dae said, leaning back in her chair as she grimaced. “But it’s not far off. I wouldn’t put it past Papa to have notified the Sylveren branch that I’m not allowed any withdrawals. I was hoping for … well, it doesn’t matter now. I need to find something before term starts.”

“You can stay with me as long as you want, you know that. But I understand why you’d want to be on campus.”

“That would be ideal. I’m just … I’m already behind everyone else.” Dae sighed. “I wanted to fully commit to this year. If I don’t pass the Adept One screening exam next spring—”

“Don’t borrow problems.” Eunny held her hands up to stop Dae’s worries. “It’ll work out. And if you have to take the screen again,” she plowed on over Dae’s despondent groan, “then you take it again. Plenty of people do—they’re postgrad degrees.”

Dae didn’t say anything, merely nodded her head. She knew Eunny was right but couldn’t shake the feeling that she had to pass her tier one at first asking. She had one year to prove that she’d earned this rebellion. If she couldn’t manage that, then maybe her family was right in their skepticism. She knew that her insistence and worries weren’t based in logic, but it didn’t stop the feeling that if she didn’t pass the first time out, she’d never make it.

Eunny was called away to help with an “emergency” at the repair café, despite it being closed. Dae ushered her on, content to sit in their spot and sip her spiced black tea. She gazed out the window, watching as the townsfolk of Sylvan went about their business. She wondered if she would get to be one of them. Perhaps not so permanent a fixture as a resident, but someone allowed by the Valley to remain, unhindered. Accepted by its people as more than a mere visitor.

“Anadae.” A shadow fell across her table.

Dae looked up, blinked, and had the distinct sensation of her eyes and brain moving at separate speeds. She knew the tall Rhellian man standing next to her. Recognized the piercing blue eyes regarding her with such wariness.

“Ez.” His name—shortened as it was—popped out without conscious thought. The nickname was too casual despite the few years of sporadic tutoring he’d given her in elementary magic. And her tone? Far too relaxed given the minimal contact they’d had over the years since. Too friendly a greeting considering the circumstances, past or present. The unfortunate event Eunny wickedly dubbed the Kiss Incident. Nearly five years later, Dae had managed to never so much as glimpse him from afar. And now she opened her mouth and his nickname fell out. Gods all fucking break her.

You’ll regret it forever.

A flicker of surprise registered across his face. A face that was the same yet subtly different from what she remembered. He’d grown more into his features, the proud brow pronounced, angles more defined. He’d always have a Rhellian’s fair skin, but his now bore a peachy bronze tint denoting an amount of time spent outdoors.

“I mean, Ezzyn. Hello.” Dae set her teacup down too hard, its rattle against the saucer making her wince. “What are you doing here?”

“I was going to ask you the same, only I happened to overhear a part of your conversation.” He held up a bag of tea from the shelf. “Apologies. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. I’d stopped by to pick up Yerina’s house green.”

“Oh, of course. No, I’m just … here. For Sylveren,” Dae babbled, her cheeks heating. “Just figuring out the last few details.”

An awkward pause followed as they both made fleeting eye contact.

Dae fidgeted with her cup. They weren’t exactly friends. He’d been her tutor, then whatever not-friends-but-more-than-acquaintances became after she’d gone to Grae University. He’d been less Prince Ezzyn Sor’vahl back then and more simply the fire mage inexplicably schooling her in water. He’d seemed … glamorous. Four years her senior, readying for his first Adept levels year at Sylveren. They’d talked a lot about that, as Dae had initially planned to attend as well. And then Brint happened. The betrothal, the change of plans. Any chance of getting to know Ezzyn better, the possibilities of that life, all of it vanished.

At least, that was how it had all turned out. The exact order of things, Ezzyn’s offer of something more and how that had panned out … what did any of it matter now?

“Why are you down here?” Dae asked. “I’d have thought you’d be in Rhell.”

“Garethe was supposed to teach a course this year, but he’s been delayed. I’m stepping in to consult.”

“Professor Sor’vahl.” A smile played across her lips. “It suits.”

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