Just as he should.
I’d do the same thing in his situation.
Which meant I could only trust him to an extent, if at all.
My shoulders stiffened, my spine straightening. I wouldn’t let this knock me down.
Zeph was right. I had to fight for myself to survive this, which meant I needed to learn how to properly defend myself. Both in the Human Realm and in this one. Because someday soon, my life would very likely depend on it.
Chapter Twenty
Aflora
Several weeks of classes sped by without incident, mostly because I locked myself away in my room constantly to study. I had a lifetime of material to read in order to catch up in all my courses.
Death Magic class.
Warrior Magic class.
Elite Magic class.
Defense Without Magic class.
Break day.
Break day.
Midnight Fae Politics—the only class I seemed to be doing all right in, thanks to Ella’s tutoring.
Malefic Magic class—my least favorite.
Independent study day—ugh.
Break day.
Break day.
Break day.
Today, I had another independent study day with Zeph. Who was a complete ass and way too hands-on for my liking. Mostly because he inspired thoughts that weren’t appropriate. Especially when he pinned me to the mat or to the wall. I occasionally caught a glimmer of interest in his gaze, but it always disappeared before I could confirm it. Which meant I probably made it up in my daydreams.
Who could blame me with my nightly sexual escapades? If it wasn’t Shade in my head, it was Kols. Causing me to heat up every time I went near the Midnight Prince. So I was pretty much in a constant state of red because he rarely left my side, always helping me in every class and ensuring my magic stayed in check.
Shade, however, seemed to be leaving me alone. Mostly because he kept skipping class. It annoyed the daylights out of me because I needed him in Death Magic class and he rarely showed up, forcing me to navigate the halls and spells by myself. When I asked him about it in my dreams, he kissed me to silence the conversation.
The only positive was that it forced me to be independent and to learn on my own. A benefit and a curse because I had no idea if I was doing anything correctly. I just went with my gut.
My legs buckled beneath me as Zeph swept his foot in an arc that sent me ass-first onto the mat. “You’re distracted,” he accused. “Do you think I want to spend my time babysitting you? Either show up or get the fuck out of my gym.”
“Your gym?” I huffed, pushing myself back up to a standing position. “Are you finally embracing your headmaster role?”
He snorted and changed the subject. “Show me what you learned in Malefic Magic class yesterday.”
I knew he was going to demand that.
After weeks of sparring with him during several class days and on a handful of break days, I’d begun learning his expectations. He wanted me to apply every lesson to my sparring. Not only did he want me to master control of my power, but he also wanted me to be able to use it defensively.
Or offensively in this case.