Page 28 of Oleander
Damn, he’s a hardass.
I stand up, straightening my back and aiming my hands out in front of me once again. I call on the thread of magic connected to my heart and let my emotions go. Bolts of lightning and a powerful gush of air shoot from my palms like an electrified tornado, slamming into the target across the field. Dead center.
Ander claps before cupping his hands around his mouth and shouting at me from where he waits on the sidelines. “Nice one,Sky!” I beam at his praise, a little impressed with myself, too, if I’m being honest.
“Yes, good job indeed. Now, go rest and rehydrate,” Professor Chastain instructs. “Quickly.”
I don’t wait around for him to change his mind about giving me a break. I hustle over to Ander, where he has a water bottle waiting for me.
“Thanks, O.” I tip my head back, squirting the cool, refreshing water into my mouth. It cascades down my throat, cold droplets spilling over my lips and trickling down my bare chest, soothing the electrifying heat of my magic. I set my water bottle on the bench, swiping my arm across my mouth.
When my gaze settles back on Ander, his eyes are alight with lust and some sort of carnalneed. Small lilac vines spider across his jawline like a work of art. He’s absolutely mesmerizing like this, ethereal and unique. “Oleander,” I whisper, ignoring the fact that our professor is mere feet behind us. “You look fucking beautiful like this,” I admit, unable to keep the thought to myself. I reach out and touch his face. This time, he doesn’t shy away. He’s ready and waiting for the electric zap of my magic. He closes his eyes, and I swear I hear a small moan as the electricity crawls across his skin. “You like that?” I whisper, and the prince hums his approval. My hand coasts down his neck and up into his hair.
“Marvelous,” the stunned voice interrupts our private moment, and I jump back, realizing we were lost in each other, and now we’recaught.
“Professor. . .”
Shit.What am I supposed to say? I was practically feeling my classmate up in the middle of our lesson, and there’s no denying it.
“Do that again,” he insists, an intrigued wonder alight in his bright green eyes.
“W-what?”
“Touch him, ye oaf,” Professor Chastain smiles teasingly. “No one’s in trouble here. This relationship of yours will only benefit your trainin’. Your secret’s safe with me.”
“There’s no secret, and there’s no relationship,” Ander is quick to defend himself, and I can admit that hurts a little. “Just a friendship.”
“Yeah, just a friendship,” I agree, even though the words taste like a lie on my tongue. In my heart, I know it’s so far from the truth. We’re more than friends.So much more.And that’s what’s going to make it hard to leave.
I reach out and caress Ander’s face, running a finger over his lips and making him gasp. His magic comes to the surface once again, and my electricity crackles restlessly. I lean in, whispering into his ear so our teacher can’t hear. “If you’d call upon your magic willingly, I wouldn’t have to feel you up in front of the old man to get a reaction.”
A blush warms his face, but he doesn’t smile. Ander’s head twists to the side, gazing into the distance. “I can’t.” A single tear escapes, and he wipes furiously at it. “The memories are too painful.”
My gut knots up, wanting so badly to erase those awful memories for him. “Then let’s replace them with new ones.Happy ones.Come on.” I hold a palm out and wait. It takes him a moment, but Ander gently places his hand in mine. “You never know the magic you can create unless you try.”
Oleander gives me a hint of a smile, and I tug, leading him to the edge of the forest. I glance over my shoulder at our professor and subtly hold a finger up, signaling for him to give us a minute.
I turn to him once we’re far enough away that it’s only the two of us. “Do you trust me?” I ask, my voice coming out huskier than I mean it to.
“I don’t even know you,” Ander protests weakly before breathing out a loud sigh. “But yes, I do trust you. Your aura is bright, and there’s no denying it.”
“My aura?” I’m intrigued.
“Yes, it’s similar to your magic in that it’s always there, hovering around you. If I concentrate hard enough, I can see it.” He stares at me intensely, his lavender gaze otherworldly, hypnotizing me with his ethereal beauty. “Your aura is silver, shining bright and beautiful. It’s radiant. Peaceful.Pure.”
His words make my heart stutter, then skip a beat before starting again double time. “No one’s ever complimented my aura.” I mentally facepalm.Of course, they haven’t.“What I meant was, thank you. And that’s fucking amazing. You’ve been using your magic this whole time, Ander.You’re reading auras.That’s fucking magical if you ask me.”
Ander looks unsure, but he’s processing my words and seeing the validity in them. “I suppose, in a way, I have.”
I point to a small leaf that’s barely poking through the soil. “Focus your magic a little harder and try concentrating it on that plant. See what happens.” But he’s rooted to the spot, fear taking over his natural instinct. “You can’t hurt me, Ander. There’s no one else nearby. Don’t be scared. I’m right here with you.” I squeeze his shoulder with reassurance before letting go and stepping back.
Oleander closes his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath, before holding his hands out, palms facing down. We wait in silence, but nothing happens. I can see the doubt flicker in his eyes, so I try to coach him, even though I’m even newer at this than him.
“For me, it’s like pulling a thread, and the harder I pull, the stronger my magic becomes. Start slow. You got this.”
Ander nods, spreading his boots further apart, grounding himself with the soil. A slow, steady stream of magic begins toflow from his fingertips, swirling around the tiny plant in shades of lavender. It sprouts from the ground, growing rapidly.
My breath hitches as dozens of yellow flowers begin to bloom from the new growth. “Daffodils,” I gasp, recognizing one of my grandmother’s favorite flowers.
