The Chosen

“I… I don’t think so. I can only remember the anger. I don’t remember much else at all, just… a fog and anger.”

“What is the last thing you remember clearly?”

“I can remember studying a lot? I can remember that when I touched someone while sleeping that I could see their dreams?”

“Yes. That is where things began going wrong,” Marcus nodded.

“You had no way to separate his dreams, his thoughts, from your own memories. They were all just feeding into your mind and you were trying to process them as your own,” Lillian told her. “You will learn, eventually, to put up a buffer so that you are merely watching and not absorbing. We aren’t sure exactly how much of your memories are real and your own and what was pulled from his dreams and his nightmares, so we took a great deal from your time with him. If you had a relationship with him, you will have to rebuild it if you choose to.”

“We didn’t have a relationship so to speak,” Ianthe told her. “He was my guardian once and he felt honor bound to continue to do it.”

Lillian looked at the two men, then turned back to Ianthe and gave her a nod. “He has been moved up to Phase 3 and so will you be, Ianthe. We have to start actually training you in your gift, it is forcing its own use in you. We have moved things in the new dormitory so that he has the bay next to your own. If you would rather he didn’t, we will move him.”

“I can’t see as that will be necessary,” Ianthe told them, confused.

“Very good. Ianthe, please try and refrain from entering dreams again, or pulling another into your own.”

“I will, and I apologize. I should have told my instructor what was happening. If anything else happens, I will let him know immediately.”

“Good,” Paul smiled. “It is good to see you yourself again, Ianthe, I was beginning to worry for you.”

Ianthe gave him a smile, a little unsure as she tried to remember why he would be so afraid for her.

He helped her stand, then took her to her new dormitory.

It was larger by far than the other two had been, and there were many more people. The bottom level held at least twenty bays and the upper levels, six of them, held even more. Dozens of people looked up from the sitting areas, looking at her as Paul arrived with her.

Cannan jumped up from his chair where he’d been sitting alone and watching for her, his eyes full of worry and fear. He didn’t move closer, just watched her. Ianthe glanced at him, then looked away quickly. She wasn’t supposed to know who he was.

Was she?

Did he know she knew?

That seemed fuzzy to her, but then… Paul had said he knew. They knew he was protecting her.

No. The Masters knew things. They knew Cannan was sleeping next to her, that didn’t mean Cannan knew she knew?

It was all so confusing and muddled as she followed Paul to a nearby bay, right next to Avery’s on the lower level. Her things were there and the bay itself was larger. More room with a larger wardrobe and desk, along with more space to store things. As she looked, she realized her bed was also larger. Much larger.

It seemed phase three was where they were allowed more comfort since they might spend years there.

Turning, she looked around at all of the people still watching her, Cannan included. She turned to Paul. “There are so many here. I was given to assume that the Chosen were fewer and fewer, this seems a great many people for how few are Chosen?”

Paul gave her a small smile. “A great many are brought in with no one ever knowing. They never tell anyone before they come here. Also, there are places beside the places you know, Ianthe. Kingdoms far away, places undiscovered to you. People in your own lands who live outside the capitol. Few are reported and some are thought to have just moved on to something new. Cannan for example. It was assumed he left service after he was denied a transfer. He told no one the night he was Chosen because he had lied about his age to become a guard in the first place. You know a great deal, Ianthe, but never assume you know everything. The Illarum guards its secrets well.”

Ianthe gave him a nod. “You are right, of course. I don’t know how I didn’t see that before. Of course not all would be reported or known. Thank you, Master Paul. I will be fine here now.”

Paul gave her a smile, then turned and left.

As soon as he was gone, Mina hurried to Ianthe and hugged her and Ianthe smiled, hugging her back. “I’ve missed you!”

“I’ve missed you too!” Mina laughed. “I have a great deal to tell you!”

“Hello, little beauty,” Grastad called from her doorway, smirking at her. “It’s good to see you again.”

“You too!” Ianthe smiled uncertainly. Was he a friend? Why couldn’t she remember him? How much had the masters taken from her memory?

Cannan was there suddenly, looking down at Grastad menacingly. Grastad only chuckled and left, Cannan turning to Ianthe and looking her over.

“Ianthe,” he nodded warily.

“Hello Cannan,” she nodded in return. “Is there something you need?”

His look went guarded, his face going blank as he schooled his expression.

“I think she’s made her feelings known already, Cannan,” Mina told him. “I thought you’d learned this lesson by now.”

Ianthe was immediately confused as she looked at Mina, then Cannan warily. What had happened? “Mina,” she smiled. “I’m excited to catch up, perhaps tomorrow after classes? Just now I need to speak to this young man. I have questions for him. Canaan, is it? Come in please and close the curtain.”

Canaan looked poleaxed and a bit angry as he came in and pulled the curtain, Mina leaving uncertainly as she looked at Ianthe in confusion.

“Ianthe?” Cannan asked, as soon as the curtain was closed. “How much do you remember?”

“Next to nothing save for my studies… do we know each other?”

He blanched.

“I’m going to assume, then, that you know I remembered you? And that I’m aware it’s you who stands guard over me at night?”

“Yes, I’m aware. You remember nothing else? Coming into my dreams and… being angry over them?”

“I was told that I was having issues with dreams, but I remember nothing of them. It’s all very… cloudy. As if they are just beyond the haze. I cannot remember you really at all, or why you decided I needed protecting. Did Paul tell you to? Because of who I am and he feared others discovering?”

“No, Ianthe,” he told her slowly. “You don’t remember what happened? The man who came in and tried to rape you before I stopped them?”

Ianthe went still, her blood going cold. “No! Who? Who was it?”

“Do not worry over who, Ianthe, it is best they do not know that you know. Just trust no one save for myself, Avery and your friend Lucian.”

“I see,” she breathed faintly, reeling with this new information. “So you know that I remember and you acknowledge me of a day… does that mean we are friends now? What did Mina mean? About you knowing I didn’t want to see you?”

“When you began entering my dreams, you got upset over a dream I had where I was upset with you. We fought over it a bit. You wouldn’t speak to me for a while and you went to Mina. I tried to ask you to speak to me and she was very protective of you. She’s been cold to me since.”

“I’m sorry… Paul said the dreams altered my reality and made me act out. So it seems we were friends then?”

Canaan gave her a small nod. “Of a sort’s. You began sleeping closer to me, against me. I… even held you most nights.”

Ianthe blushed, looking down.

“Not like that! No, you just felt safer that way. It was never… inappropriate.”

“I see. Well, I’m glad we became friends then and you felt less upset about protecting me. Thank you for seeing me safe for so long. Do you think it still necessary, even between you and Avery?”

“That is up to you, of course,” he told her, his cheeks reddening.

Ianthe could see that he wanted to continue coming. Had there been more between them?

She looked him over objectively and he was certainly handsome, his eyes especially. He was a bit large for her tastes, but not ogreish. Did he expect more? Or did he simply like feeling like he was needed? He had said there was never more and if he’d wanted more, wouldn’t he have tried? Perhaps she was reading too much into it.

“I will defer to you on that matter, you know more of it than I. You would know if I were safe or not. Thank you, Cannan. Is there anything else?”

“I suppose not. You do seem… yourself again, Ianthe. Happy and not… like you were. I can see the smile in your eyes, the joy that was always you.”

Ianthe gave him a pleased smile. “I’m happy to feel normal again, Cannan, thank you. If that is all, I would like to get settled in now.”

Cannan gave her a nod and went to the curtain, then paused looking over her bed. “I think… I think the Masters assumed I might be staying here with you. Your bed is larger than most, allowing room for two without touching.”

“I wondered why it seemed so large. I suppose that is that, then. If the masters wish it as well, they must not feel I am safe either.”

He gave her another nod, then slipped out, leaving her curtain open several inches.

Lucian looked in, smiling. “Little flower! It is good to see you again!”

“You too!” Ianthe grinned, going to him and hugging him. “A friendly familiar face is what I needed just now!”

“It is good then, yes? Your studies are not so hard on you now? It is a blessing to see you smile again. Perhaps you will walk with me in the moonlight now?”

“And lock you into a marriage so soon?” Ianthe teased.

“Ahh, yes. You are still set on no lovemaking until you are wed. It is well, then, yes? I might come to you again, my little flower, when I am ready and you are ready, and we will say our vows to the moon. It would be good! Some here have vows set and live together. There is room here, a room for two I see already. You will welcome me with ease! Yes?”

“Perhaps someday when I am ready,” she smiled, knowing he was mostly teasing. He knew she wouldn’t take his moonlight walk and he was feigning being besotted with her. She would play his game and keep him from fending off admirers.

Going out to the main room, she moved to the dining table and sat to eat one of the fruits always there between meals. Immediately, she was joined by Mina, Lavora, Allyrra and Shayla. It was nice to have them to talk to again, even the crass and brash Shayla who loved to say the most shocking things. A few other girls joined them, girls Ianthe introduced herself to and they sat catching up until Avery told them it was the quiet hour.

Ianthe watched in pleased surprise and Mina went to Avery and kissed him before going into his bay and grabbing a book, curling up on his bed.

That was new and lovely to see! His letter had won her over!

Going to her own bay, she sat at her desk and began making a list of things she remembered and tried building on those things, piecing together what she could.

“Ianthe?”

Turning, she looked Cannan over again as he stood next to her closed curtain.

“It’s late? You’re usually in bed by now?”

“Do you always come unclothed?” she asked him, a bit concerned.

“I sleep this way, yes, in only my underclothes.”

“Did… I sleep that way?”

“No, you wore your gowns.”

Ianthe nodded, blushing as she turned back to her list. Looking it over, she sighed. “If I asked you of things that happened, would you tell me?”

“I was told not to.”

“But would you?”

“I suppose it depends on what you ask. If you want details of the dreams, then no.”

“No… I wish to know other things. Was there someone I favored? A… love interest? All the other girls have someone they like and speak of. Did I?”

“Not that you ever told me,” he answered, his voice thick with emotion.

“Have I been friends with Shayla for long?”

“You warmed to her after she was nice to you, after she was so mean that first night. You don’t remember?”

“I do remember. I remember her being cruel and saying awful things… and when she stopped. But I don’t remember becoming friends with her. How long have Lavora and Allyrra been lovers?”

“Some time now. It was more recent, though. After you began closing people out. It… isn’t widely known. How did you know?”

Ianthe shrugged, dismissing it. “You will not tell me who tried to rape me?”

“It’s better that you don’t know.”

“How… how far did he get?”

“Not far. You were still fully clothed when I stopped him.”

“Thank you, again, for that.”

“You don’t need to thank me, Ianthe.”

“When did we become friends?”

“We… after I found out you knew and we talked a bit.”

“I see,” she answered, wondering why he was bending the truth. Were they friends? He hadn’t been lying when he’d said they were friends. At least, he considered her a friend. Did she consider him a friend?

She would have to feel out the situation slowly.

“If you would turn away please, I will get ready for bed,” she told him, going to her wardrobe.

He spun quickly and she looked over his well muscled back and his bottom, shown to advantage in his tight underclothes. He was definitely pleasant to look at, but she wasn’t sure if she had perhaps liked him. Was that what the dreams had been? Him rejecting her feelings? Is that why she had been upset and angry?

She set it aside as she got dressed and got into bed. “I’m decent,” she told him. Waiting for him to lay down on the other side, she turned off the light and lowered the temperature.

“Why do you like it so cold?” he asked softly.

“I’ve always loved the cold.”

“I hated it. It never seemed to get warm enough in Miovia.”

“Is this a thing we do? Talk in bed after lights out?”

He chuckled in amusement. “You used to try to talk to me all the time and I refused to answer you. Now I talk to you and you seem confused. We spoke sometimes, after… everything.”

“The dream that caused all of this?”

“Just the dreams at first. Later, the dream that seemed to break you.”

“This is all so confusing,” she told him softly.

“I imagine it must be,” he told her gently, rolling to his side and putting a comforting hand on her shoulder.

She went stiff under his touch, feeling unsure. Was he a friend? They had fought and that meant he must have had a dream that upset her. What had it been? Had it showed her what he thought of her in some way? A bad way? Like Shayla had spoken of at first when she had arrived? Perhaps he hated her and was only protecting her out of some hope that she would reward him after. Maybe he didn’t realize that she was no longer royalty, she was only Chosen now. She would be here forever and wouldn’t be able to see him rewarded.

Gently, she pulled away from his touch and he let her go quickly as she turned to face away from him.

“Ianthe?” he called, his voice unsure.

“Yes, David?”

He went quiet a moment and she wondered what had surprised him. She realized after a moment that she had called him by his old name. That he had WANTED to hear her call him by his old name. She felt that from him. She knew, in a way, that intention made names here. Once you were here long enough, you knew someone’s name when you were close to them and their name was what they wanted it to be. For her, he wanted her to call him David. To remember him.

“The flaky rolls with butter were always your favorite,” she remembered, speaking softly.

“They were.”

“I brought up a lot of sweets and you always liked them, but the flaky rolls, you always enjoyed them the most, relishing them and not speaking until you were done.”

“You began making them more often, and bringing extra with you. I liked to think you did that for me, but the other guards loved them as much as I did. I knew you were doing it for all of us.”

“It was for you. They liked them, but they didn’t appreciate them the way you did. The look on your face was very satisfying and its own reward to me. It made me feel like I was doing it right. I loved that feeling. I remember the time the bad blizzard came and snow had topped some of the houses in the city. People were trapped in their homes and I was so afraid. I thought the gods were punishing our city for some slight. You came in the night I stood at the window, watching the heavy flakes falling so hard and so fast that I couldn’t see the lights from the taller buildings. You told me that people were alright, that they had made tunnels under the snow, packing it and they were getting to and from other houses and buildings that weren’t snowed in. Men were making tunnels along every street to every house, getting people out to where they could have fires and be warm and have food. You assured me that no one was suffering or afraid and I was worrying over nothing, then begged me to close the doors to the balcony and come sit by the fire to get warm. You stayed close that night, next to my bed. I remember thinking that you were one of the best guards I’d ever had and that you cared about people and not just your job. It made my heart happy to know it.”

“I remember that blizzard, it was a hard winter. Even in the castle. Servants were sleeping in the kitchens because they couldn’t have fires in their rooms. The guards moved all the beds to a single barracks and slept close to one another. Even many of the nobles doubled and tripled up. Not you. You went without a fire and slept alone, sometimes even opening your balcony doors to look out. You seemed immune to the cold that was so bitter to everyone else.”

“I like the cold. But I remember you checking on me and tucking me into the blankets to make sure I was warm as I slept. Laying my extra blankets over me though I didn’t need them. I remember the time I got sick and had to stay down in the infirmary. You stood guard at the infirmary door, though it wasn’t your position. There were other guards for that, but you said you were MY guard and not the guard of an empty room. I remember thinking you were so incredibly loyal and good. You could have taken your ease at my bedroom door, knowing no one was there, but you chose to go where I was and take another’s place. Give him the nights off. I thought it so noble of you but…” Ianthe paused, coming to a realization. “You were in love with me, weren’t you?”

“I was,” he admitted in a whisper.

“But no longer?”

“When I was Chosen, I spent a long time trying to forget you. You never noticed me or looked at me as a man. Only a guard. I knew I was torturing myself pining after you as I did, so I chose to move on. Then you showed up as if to taunt me.”

Ianthe sighed, feeling sad now. “I understand if you don’t wish to be my guard, David. I don’t want to make it hard on you.”

“It’s fine,” he answered, his tone resolute now. “It’s a small thing to simply sleep in the same room to make sure you aren’t harmed.”

“Thank you,” she told him again, then curled up to sleep.

He said nothing, only turned over to face away from her.

He slipped out in the morning before the alarm and Ianthe got up and dressed. When the alarm went off, she was one of the first out of her bay and at the breakfast table. Mina sat down with her, smiling happily.

“I’m glad you two are hitting it off,” Ianthe told her, also smiling. “I do adore love.”

“So, you and Cannan?”

“No! No, it’s… complicated. He sort of guards me at night.”

“Because of who threatened you?”

“Yes. If… I had a crush… did I speak of him to you?”

“No,” Mina smiled. “Once you started studying alone, we stopped talking as much. But I do know a few of the boys who’ve been watching YOU,” she teased.

“Who?” Ianthe asked, leaning close with an excited smile. She loved to talk of crushes and wonder what sort of men they all were behind their facades. Were they passionate, lovesick, boring? She always had fun imagining who each of them were when they were alone with a woman.

“For one, Lucian.”

“Oh, he isn’t serious, he just doesn’t want other girls to bother him.”

“Are you certain?”

“Positive, I’ve known that from day one. Who else?”

“Grastad watched you a lot and he’s asked you to walk out with him.”

“Did I say yes?”

“You were studying and told him another time perhaps.”

“Anyone else?”

“Mason. He didn’t notice you at first, but I saw him watching you one day and then saw a drawing he’d done of you when he didn’t know I was walking by. He covered it, but not before I saw it.”

Ianthe blushed, smiling. “Mason is handsome, isn’t he?” she asked, giggling and looking around.

“He’s cute for a tiny man, if you like the bookish, pretty type.”

“I wonder what he’s like? If he draws pictures of the girl he likes, he must be a romantic! An artist’s soul! Do you imagine so?”

Mina laughed. “I don’t know about that, but I do think he’d be an attentive lover, especially with all the books he reads. I bet he knows how to please a girl in the right ways.”

“Mina!” Ianthe blushed, looking around to make sure no one could hear.

Mina laughed, shaking her head. “That never gets old! You adore romance, but you’re such a prude!”

“They aren’t the same thing at all!”

“Someday you are going to find the right man and you will change your tune very quickly,” Mina grinned as their friends joined them.

Ianthe glanced around and saw Mason sitting down at their table, almost across from her. He blushed when she looked at him and gave her a timid smile. Ianthe blushed as well and a smile escaped her lips before she could look down.

“That was almost adorable,” Mina chuckled. “Two shy bookish types locking gazes across the table and their hearts all aflutter. I think I will sit next to him in class. Mention that there’s nothing between you and Cannan and that you are open to friendship with a man… perhaps more.”

“No, don’t!” Ianthe cried, horrified. “You… you may mention that Cannan is only my guard and nothing more, but not the rest!”

Mina gave her a wicked laugh.

“What are we talking about?” Allyrra asked. “Which boy?”

“No one!” Ianthe whispered quickly. “We should hurry or we’ll be late!”

“We’re still plenty early!” Mina grinned. Looking across the table, Mina looked right at Mason. “Mason? Do you have plans tonight?”

“I… uhh… only studying?”

“Ianthe was just saying she would like to study in the gardens in the fresh air, but she really shouldn’t be alone. Since you’re both studying, maybe you could go with her?”

“I… of course,” he agreed, his cheeks turning bright red. “Studying outside sounds pleasant, and if she needs a guardian… I will happily oblige.”

“Good then!” Mina smiled as Ianthe stared down at her plate in mortification.

“I hate you!” Ianthe hissed at Mina.

Mina only laughed. “It’s only fair! Avery told me it was you who wrote the letter and embellished it so much. Turnabout.”

“But that was different! He liked you and he asked me to! I never said I might like him!”

“But he likes YOU. And you like the looks of him and his artist’s soul,” Mina teased.

“He is adorable,” Lavora told Ianthe with a smile. “If you don’t mind how diminutive he is. And you wouldn’t, since he is still so much bigger than you. His lips look very kissable! And I wouldn’t mind seeing if his hair were as soft as it looks!”

“Those curls do invite fingers,” Allyrra agreed. “And I Imagine those lips might be good for things besides kissing.”

“All of you stop!” Ianthe cried in a desperate whisper. They all giggled and Ianthe stood, darting away to the circle and going to class early.

Almost, she didn’t go back to the dorm after class, but she didn’t want Mason to think it was something he’d done. Mina had set this up and she didn’t want him to think she was toying with him or being cruel. She went back and tidied her hair quickly before grabbing her book and going back out to the main room. Mason was hovering near the circle and she went to him with her head down.

“Are you ready?” he asked breathlessly.

“I am,” she nodded, stepping into the circle.

The day was still bright as they stepped into the gardens and walked along the path to one of the benches.

“Mina told me today that you and Cannan are not partners? You don’t intend vows, though you share a bed?”

“He is only my guard,” Ianthe told him quickly. “We sleep far apart and sleep only. He is there to keep the person who tried to harm me away.”

“I think everyone has been assuming he was more to you.”

“No. No, not at all.”

“So he won’t be upset that I am your guardian this evening? Out here?”

“Not at all, why should he be? I’m sure he doesn’t want to be bothered really, and it’s no bother to simply sleep. He isn’t going so far out of his way to do that at night. I can’t imagine he would want to volunteer his free time though.”

“I suppose that makes sense. Is here good or would you like to walk more?”

“We can walk if you like,” she told him, her cheeks coloring. She didn’t wish to stop talking and start studying.

He smiled slightly and glanced at her nervously. “Did Mina ask me to do this to toy with you? I noticed you seemed upset after.”

“She didn’t! No, she… she meant well, but… she is very forward. More forward than I.”

“Me too. She’s more forward than me, I mean. Do you often come to the gardens to study?”

“No… This is my first time.”

“Did you truly tell her you were coming here or was that her design?”

“She said it without asking me.”

“So… you didn’t want to come?”

“No, I did! I do. I…” Ianthe let out a frustrated sigh. She didn’t know how to do this! She read about flirting and teasing and clever exchanges, but she was so tongue tied and nervous! “May I be candid, Mason?”

“Of course, always.”

“I… had not really noticed you before this morning. Mina told me she saw you watching me and that you had drawn a picture of me. I looked at you and she saw my reaction, saw me smile and she took it from there.”

“I see.”

“To be fair, it’s entirely possible I did notice you before and can’t remember it. The masters took a lot of my memories and I remember next to nothing besides my studies. It’s all very frustrating!”

“I can see how it would be,” he told her more gently. “We’ve never spoken before, and it’s true I have drawn you. More than once… but I have drawn many of the students here. I practice and you are always studying and so still. Easy to practice on. Not to say I have not noticed you in other ways… you are lovely, Ianthe. And you love to read… I’ve had fond thoughts of you and perhaps a small hope you might notice me.”

“I’ve noticed you,” she breathed, her heart thumping wildly. Was this normal?

“May I take your hand, Ianthe?” he asked timidly.

In answer, she held her hand out and he took it, enfolding her hand in his. They walked quietly for a long while, both of them too nervous to speak as they held hands and became giddy over it.

“You are from Miovia,” she finally spoke.

“Yes, the capital. My parents were book merchants. I had hoped of writing a book to be printed someday.”

“You did?”

“Yes, I’ve written several, actually, and illustrated them all myself. I… you might be in one of them. The girl with daydreams and a wistful soul who had fond dreams of the princess and her life, not caring what others thought of the royals. Her head so in the clouds that she almost failed to notice the man who was right in front of her and so in love with her. Not a prince, not even wealthy, but good and true and steadfast.”

“You imagine I was that way? Wishing I were someone else?”

“Why else take her name?”

Ianthe blushed, then made a bold choice. “What if I didn’t? What if… that was always my name and I never dreamed of being her?”

“You were named after the princess?” he asked, surprised.

“No… I am the princess. Was. No longer, I am Chosen now and can never leave here because of my gift. That’s why Cannan guards me… he was my chamber guard once, years ago. He recognized me.”

“That… is that really true? YOU are the princess?”

“Was,” she corrected, blushing. “But please, tell no one! I don’t want anyone to know, they all think so badly of me… of her. The person they all think I am. I was never any of those things! It has hurt my heart terribly to know what everyone thinks of the royals… of me.”

“This is… unbelievable! Royals are never Chosen!”

“I was born with the gift. The Chosen aren’t actually literally chosen, they are all people who are born with it. I was born with it. Please promise me you won’t tell?”

“Of course not… now that I think about it, I HAD heard Cannan was a soldier once and that’s why his training was so hard. He had to be untrained in what had been drilled into him. And you look like what they said she looks like! A… ghost. Sorry. It is said, and I understand why now, but don’t take offense! It’s not in a bad way, not at all. You are truly lovely, Ianthe! I can just see why it was said. You’re so very pale and white… and your eyes are hauntingly beautiful and unique. It just… never occurred to me that the actual princess could be Chosen. I don’t think anyone realizes!”

“Except the man who threatened me.”

“Yes. I understand that now too. Why someone would come after you even with so many people around. I didn’t understand it before.” He paused suddenly, then hastily let go of her hand. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to be so forward with you!”

“No! Please, don’t treat me differently! That’s not why I told you! I just… needed to tell someone. I needed someone to know and understand me. To understand why I am the way I am and how I was raised differently. To understand what it feels like when everyone says such awful things! To know what they all think and how awful it feels when they say it. I needed one person who would understand and not see me as a duty or a target to hurt. Please? I am only a girl, a Chosen just like you.”

Mason nodded, but he seemed flustered now. “Shall we study here?” he asked, then sat on the bench before she answered. Ianthe sat, feeling tense and wondering if he were still going to speak. He did not, opening his book and staring at it with a will.

Ianthe sighed and opened her own book, but couldn’t focus or study. She should never have told him she realized sadly.

She stood before he did after less than an hour. “I should head back,” she told him. “You may stay if you like, but I’m famished.”

“I’ll go in as well,” he nodded, also standing.

Their walk back was quiet and he said nothing when they returned, turning to head to his bay immediately.

Ianthe sat down and took a fruit from the bowl and Mina quickly sat next to her. “Well? Did it not go well?”

“No,” Ianthe half whispered. “It’s fine. I should be studying anyway and not looking at men.”

“Of course you should be looking at men! You can’t study all the time, you have to have SOME fun. Come on! We’re about to go to the baths! We’ll have some fun girl time and talk about all the boys here!”

“Another time,” Ianthe smiled halfheartedly. “I’m going to go and study for a bit at my desk where I can take notes.”

Mina gave her a knowing smile, then hugged her before leaving. Ianthe hurried to her room, but as she sat down, Mason cleared his throat at the opening.

“Ianthe?” he called softly.

“Yes?” she asked, her cheeks red.

“Could we speak a moment? In my room in private? So your guardian doesn’t interrupt?”

“About?”

“Things,” he smiled uncertainly. “Secrets?”

Ianthe gave him a nod and stood, following him up to his bay. She waited patiently as he closed the curtain and turned to her nervously.

“Sit down,” he offered, motioning to the bed.

She sat on the end and he sat next to her, much closer than he had outside.

“I was thinking about everything,” he told her, reaching over and placing his hand on hers. “I’ve decided that I’d very much like us to be friends, and perhaps… see if more comes of it. You’re right, we’re the same now, you and I. It took me a moment, I felt so inept and insecure for a bit, but thinking it over… we can have a very mutually beneficial relationship.”

“Mutually beneficial?”

“Yes,” he smiled, squeezing her hand gently. Reaching out with his other hand, he traced his fingers over her cheek, then slid his fingers back into her hair as he leaned in and kissed her.

“Oh!” she breathed, pulling back in surprise. “I… it’s a bit quick, don’t you think?”

“No,” he told her softly. “Not if we want to know, and… you aren’t royalty anymore, remember? You’re like us, like everyone. This is how it’s done. We test the waters and see if we like each other,” he breathed, then leaned in and kissed her again, holding her face in his hands.

Ianthe let him kiss her, his lips so soft and full. It was nice and it stirred emotion in her as her heart hammered. Her first kiss! It was so lovely! Sliding her fingers up into his hair, she kissed him back until his mouth turned hungry and passionate and fierce. It was thrilling! Heady and amazing! Her back hit the bed and she realized he had pressed her back to lay back and was over her now, his hands stroking her face and hair, his other hand twining their fingers as he held her hand to the bed. It was bliss.

Ianthe smiled dreamily when he moved down, kissing along her neck and back up her jaw. “You’re so beautiful, Ianthe,” he breathed, looking down at her in wonder. “So lovely and sweet and smart!”

Ianthe had no time to respond before he was kissing her again, lifting her and moving her up the bed to lay down next to her. His hand moved down to her waist as he kissed her, pulling her close to him in a half embrace.

“You’re so slight,” he breathed, his hand flexing on her waist. “Perfect. I love how you feel next to me, in my arms. Your soft skin on my fingertips! I’ve dreamed of you, dreamed of this!” he whispered, then kissed her again.

His hand slid up, gliding up her ribs until he was cupping her breast.

Ianthe gasped and grabbed his wrist, pulling it away. “That’s too quickly!” she told him, her face red.

“Didn’t it feel good?” he asked, kissing her jaw and smiling. “It’s alright to let it feel good my beautiful little princess. Let me show you, let me treat you like a queen,” he breathed, moving to kiss her again, half rolling on top of her. His knee pressed between her legs as he pressed his body to hers, his movements urgent. She felt it then, the hardness of his manhood in his pants, pressing hard to her thigh as he ground it against her. His hand moved back to her breast, squeezing gently, his thumb gliding over her nipple through the fabric. There was a shot of pleasure as he did, but Ianthe was panicking.

“This is too much!” she cried, turning away from his kiss and grabbing his wrist.

“It’s alright,” he breathed into her hair, his hips still grinding his cock into her thigh. “We aren’t doing anything wrong! It’s nice, it’s perfect!”

“I want you to stop!”

“Shhhh, Ianthe. It’s alright. You don’t have to worry, I’m going to keep your secret. I promise to keep your secret! We’ll keep each other’s secrets,” he panted, moving his hips more quickly now.

“Please stop!” she begged, trying to push him off of her.

“It’s alright!” he told her hoarsely, holding her wrist to the bed as he moved more quickly, grunting into her hair as he moved. “This is nothing! It’s not wrong… it feels so good! I can make you feel good too, Ianthe! It will be our secret! We’ll keep each other’s secrets, won’t we?” he asked, his breathing labored as he shoved harder and harder.

He stopped suddenly, grunting and trembling, then moments later he collapsed on top of her, breathing heavily. After a long moment of her silently crying, he lifted up and wiped her tears away.

“It’s alright, Ianthe,” he told her softly, stroking his thumb over her lower lip. “That was nice, beautiful even and we did nothing wrong, not at all. We didn’t do anything really, just kissed a bit. It was perfect. I can make you feel good, Ianthe. I can make it nice for you, if you let me. Allow me to do more for you then just kiss you.”

“No!”

“You’ll like it if you’d just let me show you. It’s alright my love. Maybe tomorrow.”

“I don’t think I want to see you again!”

“Of course you do,” he smiled gently, leaning in and kissing her nose. “We’re going to keep each other secrets, aren’t we?”

“Are you… blackmailing me?”

“Ianthe, no! No, I’m telling you I’ll keep your secret! And you’ll keep our secret too, right? Trust goes both ways, doesn’t it? We’ll keep each other’s secrets.”

“Let me up, I want to go!”

“Ianthe, don’t be upset! Please? I’m going to make this beautiful for you, I just needed… a release… to tide me over. I want to see you again tomorrow… for quiet hour. Come up here so we can talk about secrets again.”

“I don’t want…”

“It’s important we stay close, Ianthe,” he interrupted. “We don’t want our secrets getting out, do we?”

Ianthe turned away from him, feeling horrible. Why had she told him? What had made her think she could trust anyone? “Let me leave, please.”

“You will return tomorrow,” he told her, leaning in and kissing her jaw. “You understand?”

“Yes,” she whispered.

He let her up and she fled down to her room, her face bright red with shame. Hurriedly, she washed herself, though nothing had gotten on her, then scrubbed her teeth angrily. Throwing herself onto her bed, she turned out the light and lay there sobbing.

When lights out came and Cannan slipped in, he went still. “Are you awake?” he asked in a very quiet whisper.

She didn’t answer him.

Slowly and quietly he slipped into bed on his side and she lay there being still and staring into the darkness, her heart hurting.

“You want to tell me what’s on your mind?” Callan asked softly, turning over to face her.

“No thank you,” she answered in a whisper.

“I can’t help if I don’t know what it is.”

“I’m fine, just… missing home I guess.”

“If you feel like telling me what’s really wrong, I’ll listen.”

“Thank you. David?”

“Yes?”

“You’ve kissed girls, haven’t you? I remember seeing you flirting with some of the kitchen girls.”

“I have,” he replied slowly.

“Have you… done more? Than kissing?”

“Why do you ask? Has someone said something to you? Asked after you? Tried to kiss you?”

“I’m curious. I read about it and it seems like it should be this magical moment in your life, something you want to treasure forever.”

“Did someone try and kiss you, Ianthe? Force a kiss on you?”

“Was it magical for you?”

“It was… awkward and stressful the first time I kissed a girl. I was young though, and so was she. It’s different outside of the castle, Ianthe. Most people aren’t as sheltered as you were. “I was ten when I had my first kiss.”

“So young?!?”

“It was just a kiss.”

“Just a kiss. So not something you treasure?”

“I’ll never forget it, or her name. There have been other girls and other kisses, but I don’t remember most of them.”

“You kissed girls you didn’t even know?”

“Like I said, things were different for most of us. We weren’t held to the rigid standards you were and taught to treat it with such responsibility and high regard. We did it because it felt good and we wanted to. There’s nothing wrong with it, it’s very normal to kiss and be curious and explore each other. Even if you don’t know each other well, it’s fine to have a bit of fun. At least the way most people were raised. It’s not like that for nobles, you’re all raised with these strict standards and harsh ideas about morality and how a lady should act. Are you asking because you want to be kissed? You want to try it out?”

“I told you, I’m merely curious. Did you love none of the girls you kissed?”

“Love? No. Like, yes. Why the sudden interest?”

“It’s a normal thing to be curious about. All of the other girls have partners, most of them. Even if it’s only for a few days… I feel as though I can’t relate on the same level and listening to them talk… I was just curious.”

“Do you feel like you’re missing out?” he asked, going up on his elbow as he moved closer.

“I don’t know… Are you certain I hadn’t kissed anyone before? And can no longer remember?”

“I’m fairly certain, I think I would have known. Are you going to tell me what this is all about? Does it have to do with you being gone after classes? Where you were?”

“Goodnight David,” she whispered, wondering what she should do. Would Mason really tell people who she was?

“Ianthe,” David half growled. “Tell me who you were with!” he demanded, sounding frustrated and maybe a bit angry.

“It is no concern of yours,” she told him defensively.

“It is EVERY concern of mine, Ianthe! I TOLD you that you couldn’t trust anyone, so unless it was Avery or Lucian, you need to tell me who it was!”

“He is Miovian, so I doubt he is someone you need to be concerned with. I am not going to simply sate your curiosity because you demand it.”

“You will tell me who it was, or you will never have another moment alone until I find out.”

“You have no right! You need to go! Leave here! I am perfectly safe here without you!”

“You think so? It wasn’t long ago that you were sobbing in my arms and begging me to keep you safe! Unable to sleep at all unless you knew I was near! They know who you are, Ianthe! They know and if they get you alone, they WILL hurt you! Perhaps worse if they can!”

“I think you are exaggerating! Making more of it than it is so that you can stay close! You’ll not insinuate yourself into my life with this excuse, Cannan! I will not allow it! Go! Go to your own bed and leave me alone!”

“I will not!”

“I am not asking you!” Ianthe yelled, getting up and going to her curtain, yanking it open. “Get out!”

Cannan growled, getting up and going to her. “Do not do this, Ianthe! You are making a scene and they will see it and know you’re alone!”

“I don’t care! I’m done playing whatever game this is!”

“Ianthe!” he hissed, moving closer as Avery stepped out of his bay to look at them. “Just… you don’t have to tell me who it was, but… if I give you names will you tell me if it wasn’t them? Please?”

“I already told you he is Miovian, that should be enough! Was my attacker Miovian? I cannot think he was.”

“Will you keep your voice down?” he hissed again. “Come back inside!”

“Ianthe?” Avery called. “Is everything alright?”

“It’s fine,” Ianthe answered. “Cannan was just going back to his own bed.”

“Ianthe!”

“Goodnight,” she snapped, stepping into her bay and yanking the curtain shut.

Immediately, Cannan pulled it open, but Ianthe heard Avery speak. “You will not disturb her, Cannan. She asked you to leave her in peace. If you are worried, sleep with your curtain open. Mine is open as well and I will listen and watch.”

“She isn’t being reasonable!” Cannan growled, but closed the curtain.

Ianthe sat on her bed, but she was upset now and stressed. Instead of trying to lay down, she turned on her light and picked up a book, trying to distract herself.

Instead, ten minutes later, Cannan slipped back into her bay from his side, giving her a challenging look as he came in and laid down on his side.

She said nothing, turning her back to him and leaving the light on so she could read.

“Tomorrow will be a long day if you don’t get some sleep,” he grumbled.

“My concern, not yours,” she snapped.

“You need your rest to be able to practice your ability! It will drain you faster if you…”

“It is not your concern! If my light bothers you, go to your own room!”

He huffed and reached up and turned the light off.

Ianthe turned it right back on, glaring at him.

He snatched her book and flipped it shut, then turned the light off again, yanking her down to the bed and holding her down.

“Don’t!” she begged, panicking. He was going to do what Mason had done! “Please! Don’t do this!”

“Ianthe?” he asked, confused and letting her go save for a gentle hand on her shoulder.

“Please! I’ll go to sleep!”

“Ianthe, I wasn’t going to hurt you! I was just making you lay down to sleep!”

Ianthe lay there trembling, her body rigid. “Please let me go?” she asked in a terrified whisper.

He snatched his hand back, no longer touching her. “Ianthe, I would never hurt you,” he promised, his voice soothing. “I was only making you lay down to sleep, nothing more! I would never do more than something like that when you’re being bullheaded and I’m doing it for your own good. You need rest, it’s important. Ianthe?”

“I’ll sleep! Just… don’t do that again! Please?”

“Ianthe… did someone hurt you? Try and force you to do something? Hold you down and… try something?”

“Please just let me go to sleep,” she begged, her heart aching with misery.

“Ianthe please! Tell me what’s wrong? I only want to protect you!”

“You can’t! You can’t, not from this. Just leave it, please?”

“Ianthe,” he cried, moving close to her again and taking hold of her face in his hands. “I can! Let me help, let me try! Tell me! Trust in me again, Ianthe, please?”

“Please don’t touch me!” she sobbed, pulling away.

Cannan yanked his hands back again, letting out a sound like a whine of anguish. “Who has done this to you?!?”

“Leave me alone! If you cannot, you must leave!” she told him, turning away from him and hugging the edge of the bed.

“As you wish,” he whispered softly. “I will be here, Ianthe. I will be close. I won’t let anyone harm you, you have my word.”

She said nothing, just closed her eyes to try and stop the flow of tears. He couldn’t help with this, if he tried, Mason would just tell everyone. There would be no recourse.

She had hardly slept at all and the sleep she did have was fitful, causing her to wake up with cold sweats. When the lights came on, she didn’t move, staying in bed and hiding her eyes from the light. Her head ached and she felt abominable.

“Ianthe?” Cannan asked, putting a hand on her shoulder after he was dressed.

“Don’t touch me!” she whimpered, jerking away.

He sighed and removed his hand, then came around to squat in front of her. “Please tell me what’s wrong?”

“I don’t feel well, I’m staying in bed today.”

“I will send for a Healer,” he told her gently.

“Just leave me alone,” she whispered, pulling the blankets up to cover her face. She couldn’t trust him. She couldn’t trust anyone, everyone wanted to use her in some way or hurt her.

Cannan left quietly, but left her curtain open several inches. Moments later, Avery came in, looking alarmed. “You’re sick?” he asked in his clipped way.

“Yes, I’m staying in bed today.”

“There are Healers for that here, you have to go to your class.”

“Not today,” she mumbled, curling up and refusing to move. She just wanted to be left alone! “Close the curtain on your way out.”

He left, closing her curtain, but in ten minutes it opened again and Cannan came in with an older woman Ianthe had never seen. “You are ill, child?” the woman asked, confused. “You should be immune from illness here!”

“I… could not sleep and my head aches and I’m tired and I ache.”

“Ahhh. You must sleep, if it is an issue, you will be made to sleep separately from your partner.”

“He isn’t my partner!” Ianthe cried vehemently. “And I TOLD him to leave! Demanded it even and he did not!”

“Ianthe!” Cannan scolded. “You KNOW it isn’t safe, that’s WHY I sleep in here! Something else was wrong! Something else IS wrong!”

The woman made a tsking sound. “I cannot heal exhaustion, child. You must sleep. You, boy, tell me why you think she needs protection from you? Do you read it in her mind?”

“No… someone accosted her the first night. I make sure they don’t do it again.”

“Surely if you say who it is, they will be bound and sent away, yes?”

“It’s not that easy,” Cannan grumbled. “There are other factors involved.”

“I see. Girl, if you need it, I have herbs that help sleep. I will send you three vials to use if needed, yes? For nights when your emotions are high or you cannot sleep. Sometimes the stress of your studies can become overwhelming, and you… being who you are, I cannot imagine it is easy for you. The Master teaching you cannot help you as other teachers can their students, he can only say and not show, yes? It must be frustrating. If you have need, I can soothe stress as well. You may come to me in the medica, yes? I will help you with your needs. Today, this once, you may sleep a short while, but then you must go to class so you can sleep tonight.”

Ianthe didn’t answer, only covered her head to hide from the light again.

Cannan and the woman left quietly and with the peace, Ianthe finally slept. Again, her dreams were dark and fitful, she felt a deep dread welling up. An impending doom that was going to destroy her world here. Change everything and break her will.

She woke up with a scream, then rolled out of bed to vomit, her stomach was so upset.

Cannan found her there on the floor, sobbing next to her mess when he came to check on her at dinner. “Ianthe!” he cried, running to her and picking her up off the floor. “What’s wrong?!?” he demanded, laying her on the bed, then grabbing a wet cloth to wipe her face.

“Something bad is going to happen! I feel it so strongly! I… I’m dreaming it!”

“Is that your gift? Dreams? I thought it must be. Can you see the future in your dreams?”

Ianthe shook her head.

“I’m going to send for Paul, he said to get him immediately if your Gift manifested in any other way.”

Ianthe said nothing, only trembled as she lay there.

Was it Mason? Would he tell everyone and they all shun her and come after her if she stopped doing his bidding? It was the only thing she could think of that would affect her alone and not everyone else.

Cannan returned quickly with Paul, who looked concerned as he took a knee next to her bed. “Tell me what happened, Ianthe,” he commanded gently.

“A dream. Dreams. Something bad… I don’t know for certain, it’s vague… it’s just bad and it only affects me.”

“I see. You saw nothing else?”

“It was only a feeling and… I was so afraid and it made me so sick.”

“I see that,” he smiled gently. “I will have that cleaned up. Noroelle told me you weren’t feeling well and were having trouble sleeping. Told me she was going to help you sleep a few nights to see if it got you back into a routine. If it’s your Gift manifesting in a new way, we might have to find a workaround. For now, keep your guardian close and…”

“No! No, please? I don’t want him close… I feel… as if I really want to be alone. I need to be alone.”

“As you please,” Paul nodded as Cannan’s face went pained. “Do you feel like getting up and maybe taking a walk in the gardens? They have a relaxation aura that helps soothe the mind and body.”

“No… I ache and my head hurts. I’m so tired.”

“Would you like to try and sleep?”

“I’m afraid to try.”

“Have no fears, little one,” he told her soothingly. “It may be a very small thing that your Gift is picking up on. It might feel very large right now because it is unfamiliar. Stressing over it might be making it worse, and larger in your mind. Try imagining it as something minor. A small quarrel with a friend where you don’t speak for two days. Getting to the end of a book to discover the last ten pages ripped out. Something small that will frustrate or upset you, but isn’t life altering. It is a small thing that seems out of proportion to you since you have nothing to compare it to. A tiny thing, you will wonder why you worried at all and perhaps laugh about it. Try and rest and don’t fret over it. It is nothing. A little inconvenience,” he murmured, trying to soothe her and make her feel better.

Ianthe closed her eyes, though she wasn’t fooled. It didn’t feel small, it felt giant.

By the time classes let out, she hadn’t slept again and she felt worse than she had. Her head was throbbing and her entire body ached so badly that she almost whimpered every time she had to move. The cold sweats came back, even awake and she tossed and turned fitfully, all of her miserable.

Cannan checked on her, looking in worriedly, then came close and checked her head for a fever.

“Don’t touch me!”

“Ianthe!” he cried, real anguish in his voice.

“Just… don’t touch me,” she whispered. “Please. Let me rest.”

He slipped out, closing her curtain.

An hour later, Mason came in, his movements quick and furtive. Sitting next to her, then rolling and laying down beside her, he looked her over with worry. “You’re sick?” he asked softly, stroking her hair off of her face. “Can I help? Do you need anything? Here, sit up,” he prompted, picking up her water and helping her sip it, his arm behind her shoulders to hold her up. “More?” he asked, starting to tip it up again.

“No,” she whispered, staring hollowly at the wall. She couldn’t make him go away, she couldn’t be mean to him, she had to let him do as he pleased. She felt wretched.

He set the cup down, then pulled her close as he leaned back on the headboard. “I will hold you for a time, then,” he told her soothingly, stroking her hair again. “You must get well, my love! I don’t like seeing you like this, it hurts to see you hurting so much. The healers truly cannot help?”

“No,” she whispered, wishing she had the nerve to tell him he was why she felt so terrible.

“Well then, my love, there is nothing for it then but to stay close to you and hold you while you rest. Come here, turn this way and put your head on my shoulder. Put your arm up here and hold me as I am holding you, I will be a comfort to you if you can hold me and know that you are safe. There now, isn’t that better? You feel wonderful in my arms, Ianthe,” he sighed happily. “Shall I read you a book?” he asked, picking up her book and opening it to where she had marked her page. He began to read aloud to her and she just lay there feeling numb.

He hadn’t made it three pages when Callan came in, then froze. He stared at Ianthe draped over Mason, Mason holding her and reading to her. Comforting her. Swallowing hard, he looked at Ianthe and she refused to look at him, curled against Mason.

Mason paused reading and looked at Callan. “Do you mind? We’d like some privacy, please. It isn’t lights out yet and anyway, I’ll be staying with her tonight. She won’t need you.”

Cannan felt anger and embarrassment well up, his face heating. This was why she was being so cold to him? Had Mason told her he didn’t want her talking to him? He must have. That must be what has been upsetting her, not knowing how to tell him she had found a lover.

Without a word, Cannan turned and went to his own bay, his heart going cold and hard. He should have known better than to let her in!

Ianthe had gone tense from head to toe when Cannan had come in, unable to look at him. She knew if she did he would see the misery and fear on her face.

When Cannan left, Mason turned and kissed the top of her head before continuing to read to her. When lights out came, he made no move at all to leave. He only got up long enough to pull his shirt off, then his pants.

He was wearing nothing under his pants, not even underclothes. Ianthe turned away, horrified and terrified both as he climbed into bed next to her. Moving close, he turned off the light then pulled her close, curling around her. Ianthe whimpered when she felt his manhood touch her thigh through her gown, but the sound was muffled as his lips found hers in the dark.

Ianthe tried to turn, but he held her face in his hand as he kissed her, his mouth insistent and hungry as he half laid on her.

“Please!” she whispered when he moved to kiss her neck. “Please don’t!”

“Shhh, my love,” he murmured, his hand sliding up to grope her breast through her gown. “This is normal for couples, this is right,” he breathed, pressing his hips against her thigh again, his cock hard now. “I need you, Ianthe,” he groaned.

“Stop!” she cried loudly, tears in her eyes as she struggled to turn away.

She managed to roll to her stomach before he stopped her, pinning her under him. “Stop!” he hissed angrily. “We’ve talked about this, Ianthe! About our secrets and keeping them for each other. Be still and stop fighting! You want our secrets kept, right? This is fine, this is good, my love,” he panted, holding her under him as she squirmed and cried. Lifting slightly, he started pulling her gown up, piling it on her back as she gripped the sheets and sobbed. “Shhh, my love. Shhhhhh, nothing is happening, nothing at all. This is nothing,” he panted, moving and laying his cock along her ass, nestling it between her cheeks. “Oh! Oh, Ianthe!” he groaned, grinding his cock against her ass. He started moving, thrusting lightly as he ground into her. “This is wonderful! This is perfect my love and it’s nothing. Nothing at all! We aren’t doing anything wrong! Ohh… gods you feel so wonderful! I need you, Ianthe! I love you! I love you so much! You’re so perfect,” he panted into her hair as he thrust.

Ianthe could only grimace as she cried, feeling the length of his cock laying along her cheeks and rubbing against the base of her back as he thrust.

“Oh gods! Ohhh, my love, this feels so beautiful! I love you, Ianthe! You’re mine, Ianthe. I’ve needed you and I want you! I want to partner with you and keep you forever! Oh… I’m close my love! So close,” he moaned, then went rigid as he shoved his hips hard against hers. She felt him throb, then cover her lower back in hot, wet seed.

She squealed in revulsion, going tense and still, horrified.

He held himself off of her slightly as he panted in her hair. “It’s ok, my love, it’s fine. Be still and I’ll clean you off, just give me a moment. That was perfect, my love, beautiful. And it was nothing, we did nothing wrong. It’s just feeling good, making each other happy, that’s all. There’s nothing wrong with it. Don’t be upset, Ianthe, it’s nothing. It’s just for me and doesn’t hurt you at all.”

He kissed her temple, then pushed off of her and turned on the light. Moving off the bed, he went to the basin and wet a cloth.

“Don’t move,” he called over his shoulder. “I’ll take care of it. Gods you are beautiful,” he told her, sitting down and wiping her back off with the wet cloth. He cleaned her quickly, then tossed the cloth to the floor and put a hand on her back before she could roll away. “No… a moment my love. I want to look at you a moment. You are so lovely,” he breathed, his hand sliding down to her bare bottom and cupping it gently. “Every inch of you is perfection! I’m so happy, Ianthe… I can’t believe you are mine!”

“Please,” she whispered hoarsely, “please let me go!”

He let out a sigh and released her, letting her roll and fix her gown. “Don’t be such a child,” he admonished her. “You’re acting like I hurt you or something. That was nothing for you! All you had to do was lay there and be still! Stop acting like I asked you to do something awful!”

“I don’t like it! And it IS wrong and you know it! I…”

“Shut up! Shut up, Ianthe! You’re acting like you no longer want us to keep our secrets! Is that what you want? For us to stop trusting in each other and allow secrets to get out?”

Ianthe hid her face, curling up on the opposite side of the bed.

“Come over here and let me hold you,” he demanded, laying down and holding his arm out.

Ianthe stayed still for a moment, then turned and let him pull her closer to lay on his shoulder. He turned out the light and she lay there miserably, hating him and hating herself for ever thinking she could trust him.

The hours passed and she didn’t sleep, but he did. She had to wall off his dreams, though she wanted to go into them and scare the hell out of him. Once she learned to keep his dreams and thoughts separated from her own, she would make it a priority.

In the small hours of the morning, Cannan opened her curtain to check in on her. Turning, she looked at him balefully, wishing she could ask for help.

“You haven’t slept? Is he dreaming? You can’t have contact with him while he dreams, Ianthe!”

“I’ve walled him off,” she whispered, and when Mason didn’t wake, she eased off of his shoulder and moved away from him. When he still didn’t wake, she eased out of bed, then fled to Cannan, ducking under his arm to go out. She went straight to his bay and climbed into his bed and he followed her warily.

“I suppose he doesn’t inspire much confidence in being able to protect you,” he spoke acidly after closing his curtain and coming to his bed to lay down. “Why him?” he demanded, turning out his light.

Ianthe said nothing, just curled up as close as she could without actually touching him.

He let out a sigh, then reached over and squeezed her hand. “I will keep you safe, Ianthe. Always.”

Ianthe wanted to believe him.

She was up before the alarm in the morning, fleeing to her classes with her gown still on. Her head hurt and she was exhausted and sick, but she didn’t care. Classes had to be better than facing Mason again.

Her instructor seemed perturbed at her state, but said nothing. He even paused her lesson early and told her to curl up there on his lounge and take a nap.

When the day was over, she didn’t want to go back to the dorm, but she had no excuses to stay. She returned and immediately dressed and sat with Mina, almost clinging to her for protection as she looked around, watching for HIM.

Allyrra came over, smiling at Mina. “We’re going to the baths! You two coming?”

Ianthe started to shake her head, then saw Mason come out of his bay and look around for her.

“Yes!” she answered quickly, pulling Mina up and hurrying to the circle.

Mason saw her as she stepped in. “Ianthe!” he called loudly, but she was gone. She rushed forward, hurrying to the doors ahead. Ianthe paused as they approached the three doors, looking over all of them curiously.

“This is the girls’ baths here,” Mina told her, tugging on her arm.

“And that is the mens?”

“Yes?”

“And that one?”

“It’s coed. It can sometimes get… heated in there.”

“Have I been here before?”

“I don’t think so? Never with me. Why?”

“I don’t know, just a feeling of familiarity… but without the closed doors.”

“Well what would be the point of separate baths if the boys could just see into ours?” Mina asked with a laugh. “Come on silly.”

Ianthe went in with Mina and sat with the large group of strange girls, talking.

A short, round girl sat down next to Ianthe. “Has anyone ever told you that you look like the princess Ianthe in Miovia?” she asked her.

Ianthe gaped at her, too stunned to answer.

“She died, you know. The Princess. She died when the castle was taken by the Lucanans and all the royals were killed.”

Ianthe stood, feeling like she’d been dealt a blow. “There was war? Despite the accords?”

“Yes? You hadn’t heard? When the king suddenly turned away all the suitors for the princess, things got tense. One noble in particular got very angry about it, feeling like the king was denying him for some unknown reason. He plotted with the Lucanans to overthrow the king and they were all killed and most the nobles too. They hold the capital and almost all of Miovia now. I’m surprised you didn’t know? It’s been the talk for some time now. It’s funny though, you really do favor her. I heard people talk about her and what she looked like. Too bad for her I guess, but that’s what comes of lofty people and their power struggles. The commoners were hardly bothered at all, don’t matter to them who they pay taxes to and I hear the new king is much more lenient and charitable. My father has written about it, saying he allows a percentage break for businesses who were affected by the takeover, like my father. He was getting dyes from Mjennic and the trades been interrupted.”

Ianthe wasn’t listening to her. Her father was dead. Miovia was gone…

She was in more danger now than she was before! She was the sole heir and if the Lucanans found out she was alive and here!

She stood, hurrying to the towels and her clothes, then fled up to the dorms. Cannan was in his bay and she ran in, yanking the curtain closed.

“They’re dead!” she cried. “Miovia is gone! Lucana has taken the city and most of the country!”

Cannan jumped up, alarmed. “Where did you hear this? Who told you?”

“I heard it in the baths! It’s been the topic for some time, but I’ve never been down there!”

“I don’t go either! No one here has spoken of it that I’ve heard!”

“You must tell me who knows!”

“No,” he shook his head. “No. Go sit with Lucian or Avery, I have to go see Paul and find out if this is true… and if it is, they will have to take their memories! If they find out, there is no way they won’t come after you!”

“Cannan, I’m afraid!”

“Don’t fear, Ianthe. It has gone unremarked this long, it will be alright for another hour. Go now, sit with Avery or Lucian. Quickly,” he breathed, pulling her out of his room and walking her to Lucians room.”

“Little flower, are you well?” Lucian asked quickly as Cannan let her go and hurried to the circle.

“I am alright,” she whispered, watching worriedly. “May I stay with you a while? Until he returns?”

“Of course, little one, always! Sit down and stop worrying so, what has you so upset?”

“I cannot say, but it is important.”

“Is it the war outside of here? It does not touch us here. It is said the commoners are all safe and few if any were harmed.”

“Does everyone know about it? The war?”

“I assume many do, but many do not as well. It is less spoken of here, but I hear it in the baths and the emporium, yes? Others speak of it, mostly first and second phase student’s. It is bigger news to them, they were out there when it was happening. It will not touch us here, Ianthe. Stop worrying so.”

“Lucian!” she cried fearfully. “They will be after me now!”

“Who? Who is after you?”

“The Lucanans! The ones who are here and know who I am! The ones who threatened me that first night!”

“Who are you, Ianthe?”

“I am her. I am the Ianthe,” she told him in a bare whisper. “They will come for me if they know I’m here. The Lucanans here will kill me if they find out about the war! I’m the sole heir and the one person who can raise an army to take it back. And with my power… they won’t let me live!”

“Hush now, child,” Lucian whispered, looking around furtively. “Be easy. No one will hurt you with me right here, no? Or Cannan! Or your friends! You are safe for now, little one. Cannan went to the masters, yes? They will know what to do. It will be well and you will be safe.”

“I’m afraid!”

“Hush now,” he whispered, hugging her close and stroking her back.

Cannan appeared, three of the masters with him. Two peeled off and went up the stairs, Paul went with Cannan to Ianthe. “We must go now, child,” he whispered. “I will bring your things later. Come.”

“Wait… they aren’t the only ones who know! I… made a mistake. I told someone and he’s been threatening to tell if I don’t… if I… he will tell. If I’m not here and I don’t…”

“Who?” Paul demanded.

“Mason?” Cannan growled angrily.

“He… I told him, trusted him… and he used it against me. Made me kiss him and… more.”

“You will leave that one to me,” Lucian growled, his usually joyful eyes malevolent now. Ianthe felt a surge of fear, looking at him. He was a good and peaceful man… right up until you hurt someone he cared about. He was going to destroy Mason.

“I will handle him,” Paul interjected. “Does anyone else know?”

“Only Lucian?” Ianthe told him, feeling sick.

Paul nodded, then pulled Ianthe to the circle, Cannan staying with them. Ianthe looked back and Lucian was at his desk, scribbling something on a paper, then closing it in a book. That was all she saw before they were in a small, circular room with a single window. It was large as bedrooms went, and it was a bedroom, but small compared to the huge dorm she was so used to.

“I’m sorry, child, but we cannot know who might recognize you and speak out. If it becomes known, the war will be drawn here. The others are pulling the memories from Grastad, Finniel and Mason and an announcement will be made to stop speaking of outside events. We are here now and none of that concerns us. You, though, will have to stay here. Your instructor will come to you and Cannan will be allowed to stay with you. Only he and I will know your location outside of your instructor and the path will be closed to all else. You must stay here until your training is complete, lest someone makes the connection. I will tell the others you misused your gift and were bound and sent away. Cannan chose to be bound and leave with you as he was in love with you and was not grasping his training. He will also have his own instructor now. We will provide you with all the comforts we are able and I am sorry for this. I am sorry for your loss. We’d heard talk of the war, but didn’t pay attention. We hadn’t thought it had gone so far, that they wouldn’t actually break the accords. Their Chosen will be lost to them now, their gifts will kill them. They cannot be trained outside the Illarum, even if other Chosen try to help them. Only the Illarum keeps the Chosen from destroying themselves until they learn control. You are safe now, child, completely. No one can touch you here.”

“What about all of my friends?” Ianthe asked fearfully.

“I am sorry, but you will have to sever contact.”

“May I write them? As if I am out in the world? So that I may hear from them?”

“That may be acceptable, so long as I can review it first. I must go now, I will have someone see to your things and send them along to you. Cannan, please take care of her, she is very important to us in the years to come. Keep her here, keep her safe.”

“Always,” Cannon told him, his chin high.

Paul nodded, then hurried to the circle looking worried.

Cannan immediately turned to Ianthe. “Princess, are you well? I’m sorry… so very sorry for your loss. And you should have told me about what Mason was doing to you!”

“Please, do not call me that. I am no longer her. I cannot be. I am Chosen now and I can never go back! I can never save Miovia,” she sobbed, ignoring his other comment.

“Don’t despair, Ianthe! It is only land, only stone and dirt! Just a place. Your true home is here now, your allegiance to the Illarum. You made that choice when you chose to stay, remember?”

“But I thought my father could remarry! Have another child! Now it is only me! I feel so conflicted and confused!”

“Look at me Ianthe,” he told her urgently. “You know in your heart what is right. I only know a small part of your gift, but I know it’s important or the Illarum masters wouldn’t go through so much trouble to protect you this way! You are important! Important to the Illarum and the Chosen! You cannot bring your father back and reclaiming Miovia will do you little good if you have lost all else! Let it go, Ianthe. Your home is here now. Let Ianthe and Miovia go. Put it all behind you and focus on your future. The future of the Illarum and the Chosen.”

“What if they find me? Grastad and Finniel? They somehow make it here and overpower you?”

“Ianthe, I could break them both with ease. I’ve had training, they haven’t. They are soft and weak.”

“What if they have weapons?”

“They won’t come here, Ianthe, but if it will make you feel better, I will have a sword brought here to defend you with.”

“I want a knife for myself as well!”

Cannan grinned. “As it pleases you. A way to defend yourself as well. I will train you to use it if you like.”

“You will? I would like that, thank you David.”

“It will be my pleasure,” he smiled, looking amused. “Try and lay down now and get some rest. I will stay up and wait for our things.”

“I cannot sleep! My heart is broken, David! My father, all of my loved ones in Miovia, Miovia! My friends here! It is too much to bear!”

“I will still be here, Ianthe,” he told her gently. “I will help you through this.” Going to her, he pulled her into a hug, holding her against him gently and stroking her hair back. “I will do everything in my power to see you happy,” he whispered.

Ianthe had been trying to be brave, but with his commiseration, she broke down into sobs, her heart hurting. Cannan lifted her gently and carried her to the bed, holding her in his lap as he sat down, rocking her gently. She clung to him gripping his shirt and pouring her heart out, unable to stop. After more than an hour, he was still holding her tightly to him as she finally quieted, sniffling and huddled in. He knew the moment she fell asleep, curled in his arms and he refused to let her go. That meant not sleeping so that his dreams wouldn’t touch her, but he didn’t care. He’d stay awake for a week if it meant he could keep holding her in his arms.

Ianthe opened her eyes, light shining in the only window. Callan’s arms were warm and comforting and she stayed there, wondering if he had slept at all. He must not have, she remembered no dreams. Turning her head, she looked up at him. He gave her a tight smile, his eyes a bit sad now. He didn’t want her to get up.

“You didn’t sleep?” she asked him.

“If I sleep, I dream and I couldn’t touch you if I’m dreaming. You needed comforting much more than I need sleep, I can catch a nap later. I don’t think we’re going to have classes for a day or two.”

“They never sent our things?”

“Not yet, but breakfast appeared on the table moments ago.”

Ianthe lifted enough to hug him around the neck, then went still as she breathed him in. He smelled so familiar and so… safe. She had trusted him before, or the smell would not have awoken the feelings in her. It was a gut response, one that didn’t need a memory. It was already ingrained in her to know that his smell equaled safety and comfort.

Cannan had been hugging her back, but when she stayed there, her face pressed to his neck, he went still and held her. He was trying hard not to tremble, though his entire body was rigid with the effort.

Instead of letting him go, she moved up a bit higher and hugged him even closer, burying her face in his neck. Squeezing her even more tightly, he realised she was crying again. She was burrowed into him, clutching him and pouring her heart out into him. Slowly, he stroked her back and shoulder and just held her. “You’re strong, Ianthe,” he whispered. “So incredibly strong. You’ll make it through this, WE’LL make it through this, together. I’ll be here, I’ll help you every step of the way. Once it’s over, once we have learned and we are Masters ourselves? Imagine the life we’ll have!”

“You, perhaps, but I can never leave here. I’ll never be allowed to leave, David, I’m too dangerous.”

Cannan went quiet, holding her. Finally, he spoke. “There are jobs here for me too. I can stay and work from here. I’ll stay close, Ianthe, I promise.”

She said nothing as she finally went still. Letting him go, she moved off of him and got out of the bed. Crossing her arms and hugging herself, she paced a bit, looking lost and aimless.

“We should eat,” he told her, standing and trying to herd her to the table.

“I’m not hungry.”

“Ianthe, you need to eat, please? Just try to eat something? I know you don’t feel like eating and you don’t want to eat, but you really do need to! For me, would you try?”

Ianthe sighed and looked at the table, then looked at Cannan. Finally, she nodded. “For you,” she told him, then went and sat down, picking up a roll and curling up in her chair to eat it.

He sat with her while she ate, then she sat on the bed while he took a nap.

Finally, a stack of books, including their instructional books showed up in the circle. Nothing else. Ianthe didn’t wake Cannan, she was only going to get the books, but the moment she moved, he sat up in bed on alert.

“Go back to sleep,” she told him softly as she padded over to move the books.

“What time is it? How long have I slept?”

“I don’t know,” she told him, making a vague motion at the window that was too high for her to see out of. “The light never changes in that window. It’s just a light I think, wherever we are, it isn’t important enough to warrant a pretend sun or view.”

“I wonder why they haven’t sent our things? Only books? What do you think is happening?”

“I don’t know. Do you think… Do you think they just killed everyone or did they hurt him first?”

“Ianthe, don’t dwell on it. It’s long over now and you know the last thing your father would want is for you to lose yourself in grief. Dwell on his passing and not his life. I know you two were incredibly close and I know how much he adored you, you have so many wonderful memories to look back on. Choose those instead. And also remember, this has been over and done for some time now, the common people, the citizens of Miovia were never harmed and they have moved on with their lives. They aren’t suffering and things aren’t bad for them. Take comfort in that as well, that the takeover didn’t harm the subjects. They are flourishing.”

“I still want more details! I want to know what happened, who betrayed my father and how it all came to pass! I won’t be able to rest easy until I know!”

“Why? What good will that do, to know and stew over who did it. You cannot punish them, it’s against our tenets now to use our powers to do harm.”

“Who said anything about powers? I will still have people loyal to me once I am done here. It will not be out of my hands to see the person responsible punished and no one would fault me! It was my father! My friends and companions. The men who guarded my doors at night,” she told him softly, anguish in her voice.

Cannan let out a sigh, then went to her and hugged her close. “I will make inquiries when I am able,” he promised. “Find out who was responsible, then see to them myself.”

“You will not!” she cried in alarm. “It will be dangerous!”

He chuckled and hugged her a little more tightly. “I didn’t mean I would go and do it myself, I would see to finding the right person for the job. It’s gratifying to know you care, though.”

She said nothing, just went back to pacing until he picked up one of her books and herded her to one of the big comfortable chairs. Turning down the temperature for her, he covered her in one of the big blankets and set a cup of tea next to her with a smile. “Study a bit, get your mind off of other things,” he told her soothingly.

Ianthe let him distract her and immersed herself in her studies.

When the light in the window went dark, she was shocked their things still had not arrived. She needed a change of clothes, at least! Cannan also seemed stressed about it, but didn’t bring it up as he came and took her book from her and carried her to the bed.

“What are you doing?” she asked curiously.

He grinned. “Remember when you’d fall asleep down by your father and he would carry you up to your room? You were well past old enough for him to do it, but he always did it every single time. Your smile was always so incredibly happy as you hugged his neck and let him and he always looked so content to do it. Not that it’s any effort,” he chuckled. “You weigh no more than a sack of grain, slight little thing that you are. I think he cherished those times the most as you grew, when he could pretend for a moment that you were still his little girl and you needed him.”

Ianthe smiled sadly, her eyes going introspective as she remembered.

“He used to come up and slip in to check on you, you know,” Cannan told her, laying down next to her and facing her. “Days when you were down or melancholy or when you were sick. He would sit by your bed for quite a while and just watch you sleep. You were his world, Ianthe. The love he had for you always gave my heart such joy. Not many know so much love from a father especially. A father in his position, with so much on his shoulders and so many important things in his life… and you were still the center of his world.”

“I was set to marry,” she told Cannan quietly. “He knew I was happy to marry whomever he chose, no matter what and he would never allow someone he didn’t trust to have my hand… but he had to forbid me to come down to the dinners and negotiations. He said if he saw me smile favorably at a certain man in particular, or speak to one more than another with obvious interest, his decision would be skewed. He would choose for my happiness and not for what the kingdom needed, even if it was the serving boy I smiled at and talked to. He couldn’t focus on what he needed to do if I were there and he was constantly watching me to see where my heart might lay. I thought it was both sweet and frustrating, because I wanted to see all of them. Meet them. I trusted my father and his choices, but I wanted to meet ALL of the men who had come seeking my hand and not just the one my father had chosen. It was such a strange thing to me, that anyone would want to marry the ghost of the castle. Then Lady Ines reminded me that they were coming for my title and position, and the title they would gain and not me. They had no interest in me at all and that was what my father was really saving me from. The disgusted looks and sneers. Men looking at what they would have to endure if they married me. It was easier for me to be absent so that I wouldn’t see their disdain and revulsion.”

“Lady Ines is a conniving, jealous, petty, troll! You are beautiful, Ianthe, stunning. She was jealous of you and she said those things to make herself feel better about how much of a homely sourpuss she was. You should never have believed them, Ianthe! But I know you, you don’t have it in you to not be completely trusting and open to everyone you meet.”

“I do now,” she answered, looking away.

“Don’t you worry about that either. He will pay. He’s probably already bound and gone.”

She said nothing, just turned to her side with a sigh. Cannan moved closer and wrapped his arms around her from behind. It was calming and nice to feel his warmth and comfort. His safety. She fell asleep almost immediately.

When she woke, she glared at the light in the window, then sat up and turned to see if their things had come.

They had not.

Cannan sat up, looking her over and she realized that he hadn’t slept again. He had opted to stay awake and hold her while she slept.

“You should be sleeping,” she scolded.

He gave her a wan smile. “I will catch a nap after I see you eat breakfast,” he told her, lifting his chin at the table and the breakfast laid out for them.

“Why haven’t our things come?” she asked, going to the table and sitting down. “Do you think something is happening? There is an attack on the Illarum or something?”

“No one would be that stupid. We have masters who can translocate, they could never lay siege to us. We have Masters who can make them forget why they came to the gates in the first place… so many Masters who can do so many different things! Even the Healers can use their gifts to make them sick instead of well. It would be idiocy to even try.”

“But what if they slipped people in and are looking for me?”

“Then they will never find you. Master Paul told you that no one knows where we are. We are getting food, we have our books… we will be fine.”

“I need clothes so I can wash!”

He let out a sigh, looking around. “Alright. I will turn my back, you remove your clothes and wash up, then wrap in a sheet. I’ll scrub your clothes and hang them up to dry, then do the same with my own.”

“Why should I not wash my own clothes?”

“Do you know how?” he asked teasingly.

“You can show me!”

“While you wear nothing?” he asked pointedly.

“Oh. Well… fine then. Turn that chair away and go study while I wash up. I’ll leave my clothes and tell you when I’m covered.”

He grinned boyishly as he went to sit down in the chair.

By the time they were both done and waiting on their clothes to dry, he had fallen asleep on the bed while she read. She knew she shouldn’t, but she was incredibly curious and wanted to learn to use her powers. Easing into the bed next to him, he mumbled and turned to face her, whispering something incoherent as he reached out and put a hand on her shoulder.

Quickly, she put a wall up as hard as she could before relaxing and waiting. He wasn’t dreaming yet, he had come partially awake. She kept the wall up and stayed behind it, watching from the other side.

When the dream came, she knew it was a dream, but it was also like a memory. He was in the chair, his book open, but he could hear the water sloshing. Glancing behind him, he saw Ianthe washing, nothing on at all. He could see her silhouette of her side, her round bottom and her curved breast as she moved. Turned back to his book quickly, blushing, he held himself rigidly before sneaking another quick glance. When he saw her back was to him, he watched as she scrubbed her hair, watched the soap sliding down her back and onto her bottom.

The memory faded and the dream picked up there as he stood and put the book down, then went to her. He took over washing her hair and she said nothing, letting him. His clothes were gone too now as he scrubbed and pressed his body to hers from behind.

The room around them shifted. They weren’t in the Illarum anymore, they were in a small little house out near the woods. Their own house. She was standing in a wooden basin full of water and he was washing her in it, smiling as his hands slid over her body. Dream Ianthe kept giggling and grabbing his hands as they roamed and he kept chuckling and leaning in to kiss her shoulder and her hands as she tried to catch his.

“How long until we can start having children?” dream Ianthe asked him wistfully.

“Soon,” he promised. “The Masters said the arca’s outside of training will allow us to have children. Now that we live here and we’re in a new arca, we can start trying right away,” he promised, kissing her shoulder again. When he turned her and looked down at her, she was no longer standing in the basin, she was on her back in the bed looking up at him.

“Now?” she asked, smiling heatedly.

“Of course now, if you want,” he breathed, leaning close to put his mouth on hers.

Ianthe jerked away from him, pulling away from his touch so she wouldn’t see more of the dream.

Cannan sat up, blinking. “What’s wrong?” he asked, looking around.

“I… nothing. Nothing, I just… you put your hand on my shoulder when I laid down. I didn’t want to see your dreams.”

“Oh… I didn’t realize. Sorry,” he mumbled, dropping back down to go back to sleep.

Ianthe paced, embarrassed now as she glanced at Cannan sleeping. Was he dreaming about her again? Those… inappropriate sorts of dreams? Did he really see her that way or was it only because he was trapped with her? And he saw her with no clothes on. She half wished it had occurred to her to peek, just so she could see what a man looked like. Maybe those dreams like that were why she’d gotten upset with him before? That seemed unlikely, she wasn’t upset now, only a bit flattered and very curious.

Moving close again, she secured her wall, then very lightly touched his fingertip.

He was swimming in a pond, laughing at something. Rolling in the water, he looked at dream Ianthe on the bank in a dress. “You should come in, my love! The water is perfect!”

“I told you, I can’t swim!”

“I will teach you!”

“You go ahead, I’m having fun watching you! Your shoulders in the sunlight are striking as you move. I imagine them as you hold me later and I get to taste you.”

He grinned, then was across the pond and climbing out of the water. Ianthe saw him then, his manhood included and she jerked away again, fleeing across the room as her face flamed.

“Wake up!” she shouted, flustered.

He sat up in alarm, looking around again. “What? What is it?”

“I… I… you… I’m afraid. I was afraid. There must be a reason they haven’t sent anything!”

He stood quickly and padded to her with the blanket around his waist. Hugging her close with one arm, he stroked her shoulder with his thumb. “Don’t fear, Ianthe, they will tell us soon, I’m sure. There is a reason and I’m sure it’s a good one. Nothing like what you are imagining.

Ianthe stayed tense in his arms, wondering if he were still thinking about his dreams. What had happened after she let go?

She pulled away and turned to pace again. “I’m sorry I woke you, I know you need the rest.”

“It’s fine, I don’t mind. Anytime you need me, I am here and happy to be here.”

Ianthe blushed and threw herself in the chair, picking up her book. When he went back to sleep, she didn’t go near him.

The day passed with none of their things again and Ianthe was getting sick with worry. What could possibly be taking them so long? What could they be doing that made them unable to send even a change of clothes?!?

Night fell and Ianthe was less comfortable when Cannan pulled her into his arms and onto his lap. As soon as she breathed him in, she felt more calm, more relaxed and less afraid. She hugged his arm to her chest like a teddy bear and fell asleep.

Morning brought no insight and none of their things and Ianthe had moved on from scared to angry. That the soap and water was renewed daily like the food didn’t matter to her. She wanted her clothes and her other things! The handkerchief Mina had made her, papers so she could write letters, all of her things!

Cannan was actually a bit amused as she paced, kicking her skirts as she walked and her little scowl. It wasn’t a normal look on her and he thought it was adorable.

The day passed again and the next morning found no change. Evan Cannan was getting worried as he washed their clothes again. Ianthe was fastidious and hated wearing the same clothes two days in a row, let alone three.

Finally, the following morning, Paul appeared looking exhausted.

Ianthe jumped up ready to lay into him, but Cannan caught her arm quickly, noticing the Masters’ haggard appearance.

Paul smiled wanly. “Hello, and I’m sorry for the extended time you were in here alone. We… made a different choice for you two. We thought it unfair that you be cloistered away and alone through no fault of your own… so we chose another route.

“There is not a single Mind gift left in the Illarum, who is not a Master, who knows who Ianthe is. They vaguely know of a princess named that, a tall, willowy girl with dark hair who was killed during the hostilities. That is all they know. None will associate her with you. We have also forbidden talk of the war within the Illarum from anyone. We are working on the rest of the Illarum, but we will require that you both stay within your dormitory until we have caught up with the rest.”

Ianthe beamed, then ran to Paul and hugged him. “Thank you! Thank you so much, this means EVERYTHING to me!” she cried happily.

“I know,” he chuckled, patting her back. “We are pleased to make these accommodations for you, Ianthe. Now, are you both ready to return?”

“Yes!” she breathed excitedly.

Paul smiled again, then they were all three in the dormitory.

Ianthe laughed gleefully and spun a circle in the huge, empty room. “Thank you! Thank you so much!”

“Yes,” Cannan agreed, watching her with a pleased grin. “Thank you.”

“It is as it should be,” Paul nodded. “Her training could take years. Now, settle yourselves back in, and you, Cannan, get some rest but not too much. You need to be back on a regular sleep schedule. Remember not to mention the war or ask about it. I know you will be tempted to. Let it fade from memory. Let Princess Ianthe fade from memory. There is only Spirit Gift Ianthe now.”

“Spirit!” Cannan cried in shock.

“You must keep that to yourself, Cannan. I only spoke in front of you because you will know eventually anyway when she becomes a master and you are her guardian and… yes. Anyway. You should be aware of who it is you are guarding and why she is so important to us.”

Ianthe blushed, looking down.

“She has always been important to me,” Cannan spoke proudly. “This changes nothing.”

“I know,” Paul chuckled. “Now, I leave you both to settle in. Remember, speak of it to no one and do not leave here. Not even for classes. Your instructors will come to you.”

Ianthe didn’t even have time to nod before Paul was gone. She spun to Cannan, smiling, then looked around. Running to her room, she yanked her curtain shut and Cannan laughed. He knew exactly what she was doing. He went to his own bed and fell in, falling asleep immediately.

Ianthe was pleased to be clean and in clean clothes curled up on one of the sofas when people began showing up after classes. Cannan quickly joined her, standing behind her on the couch as he watched people come in. Ianthe was nervous too, watching to see who was still here.

When Mason showed up, she went tense from head to toe, horrified.

Cannan stood up, then marched up to Mason and yanked him around to face him, then punched him in the face hard enough to break his glasses and send him sprawling across the floor.

“Hey!” Lucian yelled loudly. “There’ll be none of that now! What is this?”

“He deserves it, trust me!” Cannan called angrily, moving back to stand with Ianthe.

“What’s going on?” Avery asked, only showing up to see Mason on the floor, not moving, his glasses several feet away.

“He does deserve it,” Ianthe agreed as Mina came running to hug her with a huge smile.

“What happened?” Avery asked again as Lucian moved closer to hear.

“We can’t say,” Cannan growled. “But he had it coming.”

“He’s out cold,” Brenden called. “And I think his nose is broken.”

“Send for a Healer,” Lucian called, then turned to Ianthe. “If you say he deserves it, I believe you,” he nodded, giving her a level look.

He knew. Ianthe knew he knew. They didn’t wipe her from him. Or…

She stood and walked to his bay and he followed. Flipping his book open, she found a slip of paper.

‘Ianthe real Miovian princess – Masters will Mind wipe – Mason evil man’

Picking it up, she turned to him, then tore it to tiny pieces and tossed it in his chamber pot. He only watched her, the sparkle in his eye that was always there. His ever present joy.

“Was it Mason who told?” he asked in a whisper.

“No, but he knew,” she answered. “And he used it against me to… do things to me.”

“I see. I am sorry little flower, you did not deserve such a thing, no? I would not have thought it of him, but it is always that way, yes? I will speak to the Master and Cannan will not receive punishment.”

“Thank you,” Ianthe smiled, then hurried back out to talk with Mina and the others. They all seemed to be under the impression that she had been sick again because of her Gift and Cannan had stayed with her. Ianthe did not correct them and the Healer said nothing at all as she left with Mason.

That night, she paced after lights out and Cannan watched her. Finally, she spoke. “Why did they let him stay?” she demanded. “And Finniel and Grastad? Why are they all still here?”

“I don’t know, but I imagine it might be hard to explain all five of us being forced to leave at once. And that they didn’t actually get far enough at least in Grastad’s case. Finniel never actually did anything, he just knew. Mason? I don’t know why, but I’ll make sure everyone knows he is persona non grata.”

“Lucian knows. He knew they would wipe him and he wrote it down before they did.”

“Do you think he means to use it against you?” Cannan asked quickly, urgently.

“No… I think he means to use it to protect me. He wrote it down so he would remember and be able to protect me.”

“Are you certain?”

“Fairly, but not 100%. I will say nothing yet, but I trust him. He doesn’t have a mean bone in his body.”

“I get that from him too. But he is a fierce protector of those he loves.”

“Yes,” she agreed tiredly.

“Come and sleep,” he called, laying down on the far side of the large bed. “I will be close.”

Ianthe smiled and changed for bed, happy to be able to again.

The days passed and no one seemed any the wiser as they did. No one mentioned it at all.

Three weeks in, Ianthe heard Lucian suddenly get loud at the other table at dinner. “You will not speak of it! You were told what you could and could not say, yes? You are new, but this is your only warning!”

“Sorry, geez. I didn’t know you were such a hardass, it wasn’t really enforced in phase 2,” the new boy grumbled.

“You will discover I have no leniency for those who break the rules so blatantly. You are not here to live your old life, you are here to start a new one! If you cannot adapt, perhaps you wish to return to your old life, yes? I will speak to the Masters on it.”

“No! I want to stay, I’ll never mention it again!” the boy cried quickly.

Lucian settled down, but Ianthe felt a huge fondness well up. He DID remember it to protect her.

As soon as Lucian went to his bay, she ran to him and hugged him tight.

Chuckling, he lifted her in a huge bear hug. “What is this for, little flower?” he asked, setting her down.

“Thank you,” she told him. “You will make a fine husband someday!”

He laughed. “You are asking me, yes? I will accept! We will walk in the moonlight together!” he teased.

Ianthe laughed and hugged him again. “Someday you will find the girl you want to walk out with.”

“It is well then, little flower,” he sighed in mock sadness. “I fear I would break you anyway, tiny flower that you are. It is known that your eyes and heart belong to another at any rate, yes?”

“What?” Ianthe asked with a laugh.

“The soldier, yes? The one you watch with eyes and heart full. The one who watches you with eyes and heart full.”

“I do not!” she cried, thinking he was teasing again.

“Ahh, but it is so, yes? A fool could see it. All here see it. You think it coincidence that none ask after you anymore? It is known you feel only for the soldier, yes?”

Ianthe gave him a confused smile, then turned and searched out Cannan. He was sitting with one of his friends, his face lit up with laughter as they played a dice game. The joy in his face, his beautiful face. She looked at him then, objectively. Not as her guardian and friend, but as a woman would a man.

She did. She did feel for him in that way and she hadn’t even realized it. She loved him.

She forgot Lucian altogether as she went to Cannan feeling stunned. “May I speak to you a moment please?” she asked him.

“Of course,” he smiled, looking at her.

“Alone?”

He stood quickly and followed her to her bay, standing patiently as she closed the curtains.

“Sit down,” she told him, feeling terrified and excited at the same time.

“Alright? Is everything ok?” he asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.

“Sit back, move back.”

He moved back, confused, then she climbed up into the bed and got up on his lap, straddling him. Taking his face in her hands as she lifted up on her knees, she kissed him.

He didn’t hesitate or act shocked, he took hold of her and kissed her back, kissed her much more passionately than the soft, chaste kiss she had given him.

Finally pulling back, he looked down at her, his eyes smiling. “I wondered how long until you realized,” he smirked.

“You knew?”

“For a while now,” he nodded. “I was waiting for you to realize it.”

She tried to hide a smile, blushing, then kissed him again.

He pulled back. “Be my partner?” he asked breathlessly.

“Of course,” she agreed, pulling him back to kiss him again.

The next morning, they announced that they were going to bond.

“You aren’t already bonded?” someone asked, confused.

“Like, a renewal bond?” someone else asked.

“I thought you’d been bonded this whole time!” someone else called.

Mina only laughed and got up to hug Ianthe, “It’s about time. The way you two look at each other was getting sickening!”