Page 69 of Validus Vale Academy 1
Pulling out my phone, I read my texts while heading back to Defectivum. Willow had messaged hours ago, saying she was going back to the dorms. Alexis had also texted, asking to meet at the gymnasium at six in the morning for more training. The message makes my heart do a traitorous hitch. I like him far too much.
Not even the prospect of yet another earlier start dampens my enthusiasm for the coming morning to the point where it's appropriate.
30
Iwatch as Wilson’s petite figure scrambles up the climbing wall with surprising agility, considering where she was just a few days ago.
The way her small hands reach out instinctively for the next hold, barely needing to glance at the path ahead, is a thing to behold.
“Once you reach the top, jump for the rope—got it?” I yell out. I’m not worried; I’ve got her safely harnessed in,andI can always stop a fall with my magic. Another quick push and she nimbly twists, launching her body into the air, then landing on the rope, quickly wrapping her legs around it like a monkey.
Fuck, she could wrap those legs around me.
I tell my hindbrain to cool it.
Wilson rappels down and lands with a soft thump. I give her a round of applause, and she bows, grinning from ear to ear. She should be pleased with herself. I’ve never witnessed such a change in physical performance in a week. It’s...unnatural.
When I’d first looked into the silver eyes, I’d seen fear, sadness, and so much self-doubt, but now I can’t stifle a laugh as she leaps from box to box around the course I’ve set up; a little bird finding her wings.
“Break,” I call, after she finishes the course with a whoop. She jogs towards me, and I pass her some water. “You fucking breezed through that, Wilson.”
“It’s wild, isn’t it? I don’t know why, but I just feel so good, like there’s nothing I can’t do. At least physically,” she makes a face.
“You’ll be in good shape for defense class,” I tell her. “You may not have the moves down, but your stamina and flexibility are impressive. With some more training, you could actually land some punches.”
“Ooh, and there are so many people who would be on my punch list.” She slides down the wall to sit, and I join her on the floor. Her cheeks are a rosy pink, and strands of dark hair have escaped from the long braids on each side of her head. “How was your Sunday?” Wilson asks.
My Sunday? Dull, with far too much time and space to fixate on the little bit of a thing sitting by my side.
Wilson swivels her head and stares at me. “Mostly boring,” I answer. "Some lesson planning, some research. I tried to find where Dean Dartmouth disappeared to, but no dice." I watch her shift uncomfortably beside me, a frown forming on her brow.
"Sorry," I murmur, knowing she can't respond. "The other thing I've been researching is how to break a binding. There are spells, but they all leave a lot of…damage.." The words hang in the air between us. I hate that I haven’t found a way out for her..
"Thanks for looking into it anyway," she replies, her voice soft.
"I'll get you out of his claws soon enough," I promise, my gaze locking with hers. "Don't you worry."
“Talking of claws,” she says with a half smile. "Did you know Validus Vale is built on land that was once called Claw's Cradle? Doesn't that conjure up just the nastiest images?”
"Nastier than the land’s current inhabitants?" I say, giving her a quizzical look.
“So cynical,” she laughs, her eyes flicking up to the gymnasium clock, and she winces, a flicker of something like dread crossing her face. "Shit, I have to head out or I'll be late for stupid Restricted Studies—I hate that class."
I mentally slap myself on the forehead. "Jumalauta! I was supposed to get you out of those Elite classes. I can’t believe I forgot."
“No worries, I’ve heard people’s memories tend to fail at your age,” she tells me, patting my arm and then giving a cheeky wink.
Nenäkäs kakara!I shut down a mental image of bending her over my knee. “I’ll talk to the dean today, get it sorted.”
“Thanks, Alexis, I mean, Professor Feniks.” Wilson gets to her feet. “And thanks for the training. Now, I’ve really got to run—can’t risk the donkey ears.”
“Donkey ears?” I have no idea what she’s talking about
“Hmph. I knew you were just being an ass,” she grins.
I watch as she skips off and try not to think about spanking her pert behind.
Fuck.
