Page 9 of A Clash of Stars

Instructor Edward glanced at my remaining suitors in awkward silence as I tried to comprehend what had just happened without exposing my emotions. Instructor Edward finally spoke and distracted me from my thoughts long enough to see my new dance partner.

He asked Luke to step forward, and I sighed a sigh of great relief that it would be him. He was also an easy friend to have, and he was the perfect palate cleanser after the sourness from the last dance. He made it easy to be me, which wasn’t something I did very often since my heart had been broken.

Thank the gods it is Luke and not Evander.

Luke quickly walked towards me with his bright blue eyes and handsome smile, and I almost forgot what had just happened with Madok.

“You really should keep your thoughts to yourself,” Luke plainly stated.

I drew back slightly because he had meant that he could read my inner thoughts, which was terrifying but not all that surprising. We weren’t supposed to use our powers within the castle grounds, but most of our powers were secretive and unseeable.

Shit. Inner Monologue, quiet down, will you?

A small chuckle slid out of Luke’s mouth, and I almost forgot we had an audience. We began our dance, and I could smell the swirls of cinnamon that twisted around us and feel the warmth of his touch on my waist. I was getting carried away with the dance when he spoke.

“What happened between the two of you? You always act like two cats in battle, and it is so uncomfortable to watch.”

I chuckled softly and uncomfortably. It was true. We hardly ever spoke and made noticeable circles around each other. We had barely spoken the entire year we had been at Sefida.

“Too much to say, and to be completely honest with you…I don’t know what happened between us.”

He narrowed his eyes, “Can I tell you what I think happened?”

Luke questioned me, and it surprised me because no one had ever asked or wanted to get involved between Madok and me, not even my parents.

I nodded, interested to hear what he had to say. Maybe he could clarify this mess of a relationship in a way that I hadn’t thought of yet.

“I think that Madok discovered something about you when he developed his full powers.”

I had confusion in my eyes as he continued.

“He developed his full powers when he was eighteen, which means he can probably do that weird oracle stuff, and that’s, honest to gods, some heavy shit to carry around with you.”

“Are you trying to defend him and his actions? Because if you are, I don’t want to continue this conversation. You know nothing about our relationship, and you are making assump–”

He cut me off before I could finish, “I know you two were very close in your childhood, and I know you loved each other. It’s obvious something changed between the two of you. I’m not trying to defend him but only trying to help you.”

He paused, “People change, Clara. We become more complicated with time and develop our own struggles. Sometimes it’s easier to hide than be honest with ourselves and the people important to us.”

I looked into his blue eyes, wholly comforted. His grip on me never faltered, and neither did his voice, leading me to believe he was genuine. Something about Luke made me feel safe.

Before arriving at Sefida, all my powers were completed, and I had my guard up entering this castle. Never once has Luke lied to me or been untrustworthy. Although, I didn’t necessarily like him trying to make me see Madok’s point of view, only because it hurt so damn much. I didn’t like that he had a clue about my relationship with Madok, and I needed to know why.

“How do you know so much about Madok and me?” I asked.

“He has only shared a small bit of information with me, but I know he guards his thoughts of you. I have only caught portions of his thoughts, but big pieces are missing. I feel like deep down he is hiding something, but maybe so are you?”

He questioned me, raising an eyebrow playfully as if to lessen the sharp question he jabbed me with.

I quickly responded, “I have nothing to hide from anyone. I’m not sure what deep dark dreams he would have that would cause him to hate me so much.”

With a stern look, he said, “Not everything is black and white, Clara. Maybe there is a desire or a truth about your future that you don’t know, but he does. Maybe, just maybe, he is trying to protect you.”

I nodded in understanding as the dance came to an end. Just as Madok had placed a gentle kiss above my knuckles, so did Luke. Except for this time, it left a sweet lingering touch that I imagined could last the rest of the day.

“All right! It is finallymyturn!” Griffin practically pushed Luke out of the way to get to me on the dance floor, like an eager oversized child.

“Well, okay then, Griffin. I guess you can be next,” Instructor Edward scoffed.

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