I look over at the warrior. “Are you surprised he joined us yesterday?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
A small smile twists at his lips. “Because you presented this to him the right way. You gave him a purpose. A strategy. It makes sense.”
“You don’t think he’s just passionate about me?” I cross the grassy grounds toward the imposing wall that surrounds the Academy; a place neither of us really want to go.
“He has to get past his brain to use his emotions. You managed it.”
There’s a thick wooded area and we duck inside. Armin surveys our surroundings carefully, making sure no one is watching us. Maybe they are. Maybe they aren’t. All Victorine and Roland will see is the two of us together. That can’t come as a surprise.
I slide my hand into his and walk down a worn pebbled path. We walk quietly until it ends at a small garden. There’s a circular fountain. A sculpture is in the center. A triangle. Water rushes down all three sides, into the pool.
Armin pulls me close and hovers his mouth close to mine. “Is it here?”
“No.” I tilt my head and flick my tongue out to lick his bottom lip. He doesn’t hesitate to wrap his arms around me and kisses me hard.
When we part he says, “You just brought me out here to make out? No complaints, but I am a little confused.”
“You know the gargoyle by the south wall?” I say it in a low voice, between kisses. He pulls my body close and I feel his arousal.
“I do.”
“In.”
Kiss.
“His.”
Kiss.
“Mouth.”
I thrust my tongue between his lips, feeling the hum through my whole body. That’s where I’d hidden the box with the key. In the gargoyle's mouth, tucked beneath a thatch of moss.
“And you brought me here as a diversion? Couldn’t you have just told me inside?”
“I could have,” I say, running my hands down his strong arms, “but I knew us go
ing here would drive them wild with speculation. And I also didn’t want to pass up a quiet moment with you.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Yeah?”
“Yep.”
He lifts me and spins me toward a tree with smooth, ash-colored bark. He presses me against it, presses himself against me. “I guess you’re right. If Roland wants to watch us…”
“Then we may as well give him a show.”
Armin gives it his best, like he always does, making me a shuddering mess. I don’t tell him why I’ve shown him the key, why I think someone else needs to know. I have no doubt that Victorine and Roland plan on escalating their plans, something that will undoubtedly include me. I’m not giving up. I’m being smart, and telling my strongest ally is the smartest thing I can do.
28
Miya
The sea of students parts as Hildi strides through them. I’d heard the chatter about the violation of her personal space. I’d also felt the worlds colliding right after—an alignment in forces that only confirms that we are, indeed, linked.