Page 91 of Research with Rivals
Lord Arctos stood. “Careful, Ambrose, that sounds dangerously like tests that require living things.”
I snorted, and Ambrose flushed. For the first time today, I felt like I could take a complete breath. Ambrose was right. This was a green field area of study. Maybe it didn’t have to matter which of us was the Vesten historian; we could work together and push forward this understanding of magic.
“Should we test that it worked?” Carter asked.
Arctos looked bored again. “I can feel that it did, but I think we have to wait until we return to Compass Lake to confirm fully.”
“What about the others?” Carter asked. “They won’t be able to burn the connection away.”
“We’ll have to test. I suspect each of their magic will have a way to destroy the connection. If not, I can do it through them with fire.”
I swallowed. “You can inhabit them?”
Arctos smiled dangerously. “It’s a last resort, I assure you. But as everyone keeps reminding me, I am a god.” The twinkle in his eye was back.
Gabriel helped Carter up, and he approached us. “I guess we should discuss the future.”
His words weren’t quite formal, but I felt something … zing through me with them. Excitement, anticipation, terror? Maybe all three.
He rubbed his chest again. “You two were exactly as Father described. Even better, I admit, than I was when I held the historian position. You had very little material to work with yet still managed to solve an incredibly complex issue.” He cleared his throat. “While also contending with your own magical entanglements.”
Ambrose and I both flushed.
“What I’m saying is that you did tremendous work. We can’t thank you enough. Not just myself but the rest of the Compass Points when I share the news with them. I know we didn’t give you the details, but suffice to say not all our gods are as benevolent as Arctos.”
Arctos’s chest swelled with pride.
“We need to ensure the Compass Points have full autonomy when it comes to their magic and their ability to rule their court.”
I tried to remain calm, but as with our conversation beneath the willow tree at Vesten House, Carter was sharing much more than was necessary. At least this time it was with both of us.
“Now, I know Gabriel told you we would select one of you to become Vesten historian when this was over. Whoever solved the problem first.” He looked fondly at his father. “Youwere equally set in qualifications when this started. And from my understanding, you’ve continued to rely on each other to solve the challenge, even though it pitted you as rivals. Evelyn’s awareness of the magic led her down the path to find the knot. And Ambrose’s depth of knowledge on fire magic dissolved the connection.”
Carter finally glanced at Lord Arctos, who had his arms folded across his chest and appeared to be staring straight at me.
“New information has come to light,” the Vesten Point said, “and we can’t ignore it.”
My chest tightened, and Ambrose stiffened beside me. This was it—Ambrose’s recently approved paper set him apart. I wouldn’t begrudge him this, even as my chest tightened in preparation for the news.
“Sir,” Ambrose interrupted. “I think you’ll find even more information has come to light. Evelyn had another paper approved early this morning.”
I turned to gawk at him. The circles beneath his eyes suddenly made sense. Had he stayed up all night reading the paper I had waiting for review? My heart beat a little faster at the gesture.
Carter looked confused. He glanced at Gabriel for clarity.
Lord Arctos snorted and mumbled something under his breath that sounded like “lovesick idiots.”
Gabriel finally spoke. “One of their equal qualifications was the number of research papers approved for publication. While on their trip to Compass Lake, another of Ambrose’s was approved, meaning he had a slight lead. This morning, he submitted his support for Evelyn’s most recent paper. Meaning they are once again equal.”
Hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. Gabriel was providing way too much context, which meant…
Carter had had no idea the paper was an item of contention between us. If he hadn’t even known about the papers, what new information could have come to light?
The quizzical expression on Carter’s face smoothed. “I see. While it is admirable that you continued your daily duties over the course of this project, that is not what we need to discuss.”
With a final glance at Lord Arctos, he said, “Evelyn is disqualified from holding the position of Vesten historian.”
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