Page 18 of A Witch and Her Dragon
“Now,” our professor continues, returning to the lesson, “begin to focus on your breath. Inhale deeply and exhale fully. Let your breath become your anchor. Notice the air as it moves in and out of your lungs. Feel how it travels through your body.”
As the other students begin their breathing exercise, I whisper to Lyra, “Why is Juniper evenhere? You know we’re not supposed to bring our companions into class.”
Our companions can live in the castle with us, but having classrooms packed with studentsandanimals would make things a touch crowded.
“She doesn’t like being alone.” Lyra shrugs, then pretends to be doing the exercise when Professor Stone looks our way. When he moves to the other side of the room, she continues, “I’m surprised you don’t bring Yuki with you.”
I try not to snort. “He’s a white fox—not exactly inconspicuous. And he doesn’t fit in my pocket.” I arch a brow at her.
“Yeah, but you’re the princess. Wouldn’t they have to make an exception?”
“No exceptions,” I say, tone clipped. “I don’t want to be the princess here. Just another student.”
“Are you sure?” Lyra whispers. “I mean, I wouldn’t mind having a broody bodyguard standing outside the door. I’d take him off your hands if I could.”
My cheeks flare with heat, and I choose not to respond, focusing on my breath as it travels into and out of my body.
“Good,” Professor Stone continues. “Now we’re going to add a bit more movement to the practice. Stay grounded as you breathe and push energy toward your partner. Control your air. This isallabout control. When you exhale and push, feel your energy moving your partner back, even if just a little. Let them step or lean slightly as they respond. Keep this flow moving.”
Lyra starts by pushing a gentle wind toward me. It sends my hair and robes fluttering, and the air is warm—perhaps from her fire magic. We’re both elemental witches, which might be why we connected so quickly and formed such a sudden friendship.
“So, what’s the deal with you and Raelan anyway?” Lyra asks. With all the students pushing air around the room, making papers rustle and robes snap, it’s easier to speak without being overheard.
“There’s no deal,” I say, breathing out slowly and focusing on sending a gentle breeze toward Lyra. It brushes her hair back from her face and makes her take a step to steady herself. The citrine crystals dangling from her earlobes sway.
“Good, Miss Ravenscroft,” Professor Stone says from across the room.
I look over and give him a smile.
“No deal? Really?” Lyra arches a crimson brow at me. She doesn’t look convinced. “Are you sure?”
“I’m positive. He’s my guard. A nuisance. That’s it.”
She pushes a gust back at me, and now I have to steadymyself. All around the room, students are adjusting their stances, bracing against their partners’ air magic.
“In that case,” Lyra says, her lips curling up on one side, “would you mind if I try him for myself? I mean, have youseenhim?” She sighs dreamily. “And thosehands. I love a man with big hands.”
Suddenly, I’m picturing Raelan’s hands on Lyra’s waist, her lips against his, their bodies moving against each other in her bed in our loft.
Without intending to, I send such a powerful gust of wind toward her that she goes stumbling back and has to catch herself on the neighboring desk, spilling an inkwell in the process and startling the students standing there. From Lyra’s robe pocket, Juniper lets out a squeak. Lyra’s eyes widen in surprise.
“I-I’m so sorry,” I say, quickly taking her by the hand and helping her up, then flicking an apologetic look toward the student whose inkwell was spilled. “I didn’t mean to—” When I look up to meet Lyra’s eyes, she’s no longer regarding me with surprise, but with something notably more concerning. Likesuspicion.
But I don’t even know why I had such a strong reaction to the idea of her getting closer to Raelan. He might be my bodyguard, but that’s it. We’re not even friends. We barely know each other. I have no claim on him.
And I don’twanta claim on him. I want him to go back to the castle and leave me be.
“And no, I wouldn’t mind,” I say quickly, just before Professor Stone sweeps over to instruct me on the merits of balanceand the importance of controlling my magic.
“The purpose of this lesson is notpower,” he says to the class. “It’s control. The elemental magics are incredibly potent and can be dangerous when wielded without caution. Now, continue.” His brown eyes find me. “Carefully this time, Miss Ravenscroft.”
I try to listen to him, try to focus during the rest of class, but all I can think about is Raelan standing outside the classroom, the concentrated wrinkle that always forms between his eyebrows when he’s watching me from a distance, the sharp set of his jaw.
And I try very hard not to notice the tightening in my chest when I imagine him with any other woman.
Because Raelan Ashvale isn’t mine.
And I’m certainly not his.
