by Brenda Trim
It was unthinkable that a new Headmaster could take over and not discover all plots in the school they were running. Besides, the council would never replace the evil Gullvieg with anyone less loyal. They needed the graduates under their thumb or their control over Fae would splinter and they would have a massive revolt on their hands.
Dani entered the room with her entourage in tow, shattering the excitement flowing through Maurelle at the thought of really being able to explore her elements. The vile female thought her shit didn’t stink.
Sure, Danielle was beautiful, but Ryker wanted nothing to do with her. He’d never given Dani more than a passing glance. Instead, he wanted Maurelle which still stunned her. She was nothing special. She came from a poor family and was curvier than the other females her age.
When she thought about how Dani would react if she knew Ryker was actually the Fae King, the snotty bitch would lose her shit. A snicker left Maurelle’s lips before she could stop it. One more reason Maurelle was eager for the day Ryker told Mag Mell who he really was.
“Oh look,” Dani sneered. “They’ve let the riffraff back in this year. I shouldn’t be surprised. We’re not all slated for the council. There are more positions for cooks and maids than anything else.”
Ashlee snickered in response as did four other females in their group. Maurelle rolled her eyes and turned her back on them to look out the open window. The shriek Dani let out was music to her ears. Maurelle wanted to smirk at the bitchy female when the wind she sent through the room ripped at her hair and tore one sleeve of the blouse she was wearing.
Maurelle understood the anger and frustration. She was showing Dani she wasn’t viewed as a threat. And she wasn’t. After everything she’d been through over the past year there was nothing Dani could throw her way that she couldn’t handle.
“I see your personality continues to shine through, Braveheart,” Ryker teased.
Maurelle turned away from the window and a smile bloomed across her face. She wanted to run and jump into his arms then press kisses all over his face. It was difficult to hold back how she felt about him.
He confused the hell out of her most days, but that didn’t diminish how deeply she cared for him. Sure, she initially pulled away from him when he erected walls that put space between them. But when she noticed he acted aloof to protect her rather than himself her defenses against him vanished.
It was obvious that initially he was protecting his own ass from the headmistress, but that changed after she almost died in the trials last year. Not that he understood fully until he discovered he was the Fae King.
“My skills compare to yours, but I’m not entirely lacking,” she joked.
Brokk wrapped Maurelle in a hug and pressed a kiss to the corner of her lips. She looked over her shoulder at Ryker and noticed the furrow in his brow was there and gone so fast she wondered if she imagined it. Now, it appeared as if he was happy his friend was holding his woman far longer than she should.
“You’ve got mad skills, Elle,” Brokk said as he let her go and took a step back. His heated gaze roved over her from head to foot, setting her blood on fire. She shouldn’t be that attracted to him, but she couldn’t deny the sexy male appealed to her.
“Can you believe they’re actually letting us practice with the windows open?” She asked, changing the subject.
“This is how it should be,” Ryker growled, sending wind tearing through the open windows. Students looked around with wary expressions while professor Aobheal narrowed her eyes at their group.
Immediately, Maurelle grabbed hold of Brokk and Ryker while blurting, “Looks like I shouldn’t have gotten so excited. I can’t seem to stop the tornado swirling in my chest.”
Shaking his head, Ryker focused on her and Brokk squeezed her hand in return. “I know what you mean. I think my elements are playing with yours, Elle. It can’t help that it’s inexplicably drawn to your power.” The wink he shot her made her cheeks flush.
Her distraction worked as the winds died down and Ryker forced a chuckle from his throat. The professor ran her hands down her shirt and tugged the hem to straighten the fabric.
“I expect you all to maintain your shields in my classroom. We will be pushing your limits and adding advanced skills this year, but you are not there yet,” Aobheal announced as she paced across the stones. “We will start this year by trying to thread the proverbial needle.”
With a wave of her hand, two platters with sewing needles and thread floated from a table set to the side of the room to the middle of the room and hovered there waiting for the students. Maurelle picked up a set of implements and prepared to do the assignment.
“Break off a short section of thread to use in this exercise,” the professor continued.
Ryker held up both pieces and let them go. A gasp echoed behind Maurelle when they remained floating in the same place. As if his concentration faltered, they fell to the ground.
Turning her head, Maurelle saw Dani and Ashlee gaping at Ryker before their expressions turned covetous. Putting a bit extra sway in her hips, Dani sauntered closer. “You’re so powerful, Ryker. Can you give me tips?”
“No,” Ryker said simply and turned back to Maurelle who tried hard to hide the sense of satisfaction coursing through her.
“No doubt that was a fluke,” Maurelle challenged. “Let’s see you lift those from the floor.”
“Trying to get a rise out of me, Maurelle?” He asked in a slightly husky voice.
Tilting her head to the side, she sent him a smile and tried to float them off her open palm. The needle lifted slightly, but the thread didn’t budge. Brokk cursed beside her and cracked his neck from side to side.
Keeping her focus on Ryker, she watched as he lifted the implements from the floor flawlessly then threw in a slight wobble as they rose above the ground a few inches. A second later they fell back to the ground. The furrow between his brow told her he was trying to make it look difficult.
Maurelle remained focused on her own task. After all, she needed all the help she could get. She wasn’t as powerful as Ryker, but she wanted to be. Needed to be if she hoped to have a chance in hell of mating the King of the Fae.
Her gaze roved to Brokk and she noticed the same determined look on his face. She knew he and the others wanted to prove to Ryker he was right for appointing them as his guard.
“Focus on one element at a time,” the professor instructed. “Once you have that one in position all you need to do is hold it steady. Then you can shift to the other to accomplish the task.”
Keeping that in mind, Maurelle decided to lift the needle first and hold it in place while she manipulated the thread with her air element. A quick scan of the room told her none of the class was terribly close to accomplishing the task.
It bolstered her determination. Good or bad. She was highly competitive and wanted to be the best at what she did. Her stomach cramped as the seconds ticked by without her being able to hold the needle still.
Ryker took a step closer to her and so did Brokk. Their proximity settled her gut and centered her focus. With their heat and scent surrounding her she managed to stabilize the sharp metal. The urge to send it flying to Dani’s face almost stole her focus.
Knowing Ryker was at her side, giving her the support she needed made her forget the hateful female and slide the thread through the open end. She whooped and clapped then caught it in her hand and held it up for Brokk and Ryker.
“Well done, Ms. Longstrom,” Aobheal called out. “Now for the rest of you to follow suit.”
Maurelle’s chest swelled with pride, but before anything else was said Gaius entered the room, followed by a group of what Maurelle assumed were teachers. The only reason she thought that was because Pravus, a professor that taught Fae history was among the group. What other changes had the new headmaster implemented when he took over?
Ryker forced himself to keep his hands relaxed at his sides. Clenching his fists and growling would only alert staf
f there was something off with him. He couldn’t afford more scrutiny than was already focused on him.
“To what do we owe this pleasure, Gaius?” Aobheal asked the headmaster. Ryker recognized his history professor along with a fire professor. Cold slithered down his spine in warning. The talisman in his pocket warmed against his leg.
“We are here to collect Ryker Isladore,” the headmaster replied then shifted his bright blue eyes to Ryker. The look seemed to pierce his chest and see every secret he was hiding.
Needing to hide his terror, Ryker handed Maurelle his needle and thread and took a moment to ground himself in her presence before he faced whatever awaited him. With his nerves steadier, Ryker smiled and took a step forward.
“What can I help you with?” he asked as the headmaster turned and headed out of the classroom.
Chancing another glimpse of Maurelle, Ryker saw the fear etched on her beautiful face. A slight shake of his head, he hoped to send her the message to not get involved. He saw the battle in her eyes. Or, perhaps the bond he shared with her told him she was debating going with him so she could help.
Once they were outside, Gaius paused and motioned to the open quad with one hand. “I’d like to do another assessment of your elements.”
“Oh,” Ryker replied. “Is there a problem?” Inside he was cursing and panicking. The wind picked up in reaction and storm clouds gathered over their heads. He took a breath to calm down before lightning struck or a fire started because of his emotions. Now was not the time to lose his shit.
Gaius didn’t bother looking back at him as he continued to the large expanse of grass. “There’s no problem, but the previous headmistress left several unanswered questions that I have spent the past few weeks trying to understand.”
“And I’m one of them?” Ryker asked as he stopped when Gaius did close to the middle of the lawn. It took all of his effort to plaster an innocent expression on his face and keep from letting his nerves show. “I wasn’t aware I’d broken one of the rules.”
Gaius waved a hand through the air and shook his head. “It’s not that you broke a rule. She kept notes on the appearance of your elemental powers. Seems you’re something of a novelty in the academy. Well, all of Mag Mell if I’m being honest. We haven’t seen anyone with a confirmed ability to wield three elements, possibly four,” the headmaster replied and paused while he stared directly into Ryker’s eyes.
They stood like that for so long, Ryker was ready to blast the headmaster and other professors with lightning bolts and make his escape. Before he took action, Gaius broke the silent stare down. “Since the King was alive. It’s only his line that has that ability, but you’re not of his line, are you?”
“I wish,” Ryker said with a snort. “I have no idea what Gullvieg wrote down, but I only have a connection to two. Maybe a third, but that’s likely a fluke and not something I can rely on.”
“Well. We will see, won’t we?” Gaius said as he gestured to the teachers who immediately spread out around Ryker. “You know the drill.”
Nodding, Ryker pursed his mouth then asked, “But why are we doing this here? Last time I was assessed in the gym.”
The headmaster’s nose wrinkled as he narrowed his eyes. “I have no idea why an assessment of elemental powers was conducted where they are stifled to a degree it’s nearly impossible to access any connection. When I attended the academy this was where all students discovered their elements, as it should be.”
One professor made a noise, drawing Ryker’s gaze. He had no idea what the female taught, but the look she threw Gaius said she wasn’t happy about him maligning Gullvieg’s practices.
Ryker made a note not to cross her path in the future. Anyone on that vile bitch’s side was no friend to him. The others kept a neutral expression and waited for instruction from Gaius.
“Let’s begin,” Gaius ordered as he pinned that professor with a harsh glare. Maintaining a relaxed stance, Ryker didn’t shroud his connections as much as he should have.
He was hit with a gust of wind followed by a wave of water. Immediately his elements responded and redirected the wind. Realizing what happened, he allowed his mind to drop the water and was drenched by the wave, but not before it stopped in midair.
Before Ryker could gather his wits, he was enveloped by heat as fire sprang up around him. The next second the earth started roiling around him. He kept firm hold of his connection to the earth element. The power pushed at his hold, diverting some of his energy and making his impact on fire falter.
Ryker was panting with sweat pouring down his temples as he barely kept the flames at bay. They snuck past and singed his wings, hair and fingers as they should for someone with minimal connection to the element. He stumbled and fell to the ground a second later. The second his hand touched the ground he felt his connection surge to the fore.
Terrified he was going to show that he was connected to all four, Ryker let go of his control of the fire and poured all of his energy into smothering his connection to the earth.
The flames immediately surged forth and covered him. Searing agony tore through his body as he crumpled to the ground.
The fire vanished in the next instant and Gaius was standing over him in the next breath. “Get the healer. He needs immediate medical attention.” Gaius waved a hand and a cool breeze moved over his burned skin.
“I don’t know what that female was thinking. You don’t have control over all of the elements. You barely have three. And, even that’s pushing it.”
Tatiana, the nurse appeared at his side and held a potion in her hand. “Are you playing with fire again, Ryker?” she teased as she lifted his head and poured the liquid down his throat.
“I can’t resist,” he teased as he prayed for the potion to take the pain away. Within seconds it did it’s work and he was able to climb to his feet.
“Careful,” the nurse cautioned, “the injuries aren’t entirely healed.”
“I’ll be fine. Thank you,” he told her then turned to the headmaster.
“So, I have three elements?” he asked with more excitement than he felt. He would hide even that if he could, but anyone would be pleased to learn they had that much power and it was better for him to play the part.
Shaking his head, Gaius sighed. “Yes, but how much actual control you will have has yet to be seen.”
“Do you think it will be enough to become an enforcer?” Ryker posited as he gingerly brushed the ash from his tattered clothes. Any male that could wield three elements would be slated for their police force, so once again, Ryker played the part he should.
As he stopped and considered that, he realized if he hadn’t discovered his true identity then he’d be happy to become an enforcer. He’d make more money and be able to afford better living conditions for he and his mom. Crazy how life had taken a sharp left turn and upended his entire world.
“If you can gain enough control over the other elements that’s possible, but it will take significant work on your part,” the headmaster informed him.
That was the perfect opportunity to ask for additional training. Ryker needed it badly. He couldn’t cover all of the elements, but he’d have to find someone else or some books to learn about earth. “I’m willing to do the work, sir. Do you think I can take classes in water and fire? I want to do better by my mother and provide a better life for her,” he told the male honestly.
“I don’t see why not,” the headmaster replied before he headed across the lawn. Before he got too far, he looked back and called out, “I will have a revised schedule for you by morning.”
“Thank you, sir,” Ryker said then raced to the dorms to change as fast as his aching body would allow. Saying a silent prayer to the Gods, Ryker hoped that was the only drama he encountered this school year.
Chapter 4
“What the hell happened to you? Did your charms fail you this time?” Maurelle teased uneasily when Ryker opened the door to his suite in the dorms. She noticed Brokk’s
solemn expression over his shoulder with Daine and Sol looking ready to kill from their position on the couch. Ryker was surrounded by loyal males that would protect him with their lives.
“It was the new assessment Gaius put me through,” Ryker relayed with a snarl before he cast a shrouding spell on the room. “I had to force down my elements, so I didn’t reveal them all. This time he tossed more than one at a time at me.”
“Do you think he knows?” Maurelle asked as she wrapped her arms around his waist. It had been a long break without seeing him. She missed everything about him. The tight knot in her gut unfurled as his masculine scent and warmth surrounded her.
“No. He has no idea. But things need to change so I can protect you all,” Ryker announced as his hands clenched against her back.
Taking a step back, Maurelle tilted her head and watched Ryker’s expression. “What needs to change?” She hated the tremble that entered her voice when she asked that question. After so many weeks apart, she worried he would lose interest in her. It sliced through her heart knowing he was about to end things with her.
Ryker reached out and cupped her cheek. “I need to ensure you’re safe, Braveheart.”
Tears misted in her eyes and emotion burned the back of her throat, yet she held back the tears refusing to let him see how much she was hurting. Brokk was behind her in the next second with his hands on her shoulders.
“You don’t have to end things with Maurelle. We can keep you safe,” he vowed to Ryker. From the corner of her eye, she saw Sol and Daine nodding their heads in agreement.
“I know you will,” Ryker told his friend with a smile. “But I’m not breaking up with Maurelle. She’s mine, even if I can’t claim her now. I want to make you three my King’s Guard.”
Brokk tightened his grip then stepped closer to her back at the same moment relief washed through Maurelle’s mind. Brokk’s heat suddenly lessened and she realized Ryker was staring at how close they were to one another. A flush crept over her cheeks. She’d been comforted by his presence, needing his silent reassurance.