Page 31 of Laid Bare

It’s something I’ve seen Bailey do also. Take things leisurely, not wanting to rush to get them done. She applies it to learning her runes, and a lot of the time, I wish others would follow that same mentality. Everyone wants to learn as fast as possible so they can flee the academy sooner rather than later, but I’ve seen, more often than not, that they are sent back to relearn certain things because they’ve messed up somewhere down the line.

A few students here now have gotten themselves in trouble and have returned to the academy for a refresher. Not by their own choice. Council sanctioned. One of the very few sanctions they’ve made that I actually agree with. But being a prince of Faerie, I don’t have any say in what they do, no matter how much I wish I did.

Students trickle into my classroom the moment I step over the threshold, but I pause as an idea hits me. They weave around me, some grumbling their displeasure, but a quick look silences their protests. As the idea solidifies, I could kick my own ass for not thinking of it sooner. It would have saved so much time, and Bailey could have learned so much more if I’d thought of it sooner. I pull out my phone and fire off a text to the headmaster, determined to get this done.

Me

Can we put up wards in Miss Matthews’ room so she can practice her magic there, too?

Jasper

Why?

Seriously? Fucking council prick.Where the hell did the headmaster that cared go? He wouldn’t question anything that benefited a student.

Me

Because she needs more time to learn and always going to a containment room isn’t feasible. Plus, all the other students have the opportunity to use their magic whenever they want. She should be afforded the same chance.

Jasper

Point taken. I’ll make a call.

Me

No need. I can put them up myself if you agree.

Jasper

Do it.

Thank the gods. I was going to do it regardless of whether he agreed or not.

She needs this. A place that’s her own where she can sit after classes and use her magic without worry. It’s the only way for her to gain any fluency over her runes. This here and there of being able to use them isn’t teaching her a damn thing. If anything, it’s hindering her, and that’s the last thing she needs.

Hopefully I can get in there sooner rather than later and get them up. I’m confident that with a quick phone call to Axel and Luka, they’ll be more than willing to help me with that. Those two will do anything for her.

Just like you,my mind whispers.

Nope. Not going there. Ronnie and I just broke up, and Bailey, well, she already has enough going on. Any lingering idea of feelings I may or may not have are not her problem.

The bell tolls right as I pocket my phone, reminding me that I need to focus on the here and now. On the students that are in my care to learn their own portalling abilities.

With that thought and a smile on my face that I hope looks genuine, I jump right into molding my students’ minds and magic.

“Let’s get started.”

Checking my watch,the face reads 2:35 pm in the afternoon, also the exact time of Bailey’s transmutation class. Our beautiful mate sent us a text during her lunch that she’s being forced to attend the class because Jasper threatened her with punishment if she refused.

Bullshit, I tell you.

If the gargoyle was anyone else, I would have marched right into his office and shattered his stone, but as a councilman and the owner of the academy, my hands were tied. He’d revoke any chance I have of being on academy grounds, no matter the fact of who I am.

I just couldn’t do that to my Goddess. She needs me here in case anything goes wrong. And after the shit at the gala, she needs me here twenty-four-seven. Now if only she’d ask me to move in… I’d do it in a heartbeat.

But my goddess needs her space right now. There’s so much for her to work through and having my strong presence there all the time could be considered a hindrance. I freaking miss her, though, when I’m not with her, and I know Axel feels the same.

Plus, as per the rules when a new supe comes over from the human sectors, they’re bound to live in the academy until they actually graduate. So, it’s not like Axel and I can ask her to move in with us.

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