Page 35 of Fated for Flames

“But don’t you need to attend classes? For your studies?”

Rafe chuckled softly, a sound as light as the rustle of his wings. “I’m not exactly a student. My studies are… beyond what’s taught here. Occasionally, teachers seek me out for my expertise, especially when advanced healing is required.”

“So you spend all your time alone? Don’t you get lonely?”

He shrugged nonchalantly, his attention back on the pulsating energy field surrounding me. “I have my art to keep me company.” Then he added, “And I have Lucien. We share one of the larger cottages.”

I blinked in surprise. Those cottages were mainly reserved for professors and staff. I had never ventured out there.

Could Rafe and Lucien be a couple?

Rafe, with his ethereal beauty, and Lucien, with his intelligent green eyes and an aura of enigma, certainly made an intriguing pair.

Lucien’s warm bronze skin starkly contrasted Rafe’s porcelain complexion. Despite his grumpy demeanor, he seemed very passionate about his craft and I was very grateful for his help.

Rafe was the perfect counterbalance to Lucien’s gruffness. His angelic appearance radiated tranquility and calmness. Soft-spoken yet confident, he exuded an aura of serenity that seemed to envelop everything around him and made me feel safe.

I shook my head. I had bigger issues to worry about than their relationship status. Yet I couldn’t help but add, “I’d love to see your art sometime,” my words directed at Rafe. I was curious about this reserved, beautiful person.

His expression brightened. “I would like that. You could come over to our cottage for our next session.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want to intrude…” Even though I was kind of dying of curiosity.

“Nonsense,” Rafe said, waving my concerns away. “It would be a nice change of scenery. Besides, you might find the environment more relaxing.”

His words had me intrigued. “All right, I’ll take you up on that offer.”

Rafe turned to Lucien, who had been silent throughout our conversation. “What do you think, Lucien?”

Lucien, hunched over a potion vial, looked up with a frown. “I don’t see why we should change locations.”

“Because it’s less formal,” Rafe countered. “Evelyn could benefit from a more relaxed setting.”

Lucien’s frown deepened as he considered Rafe’s argument. After a long moment, he sighed and nodded. “Fine. But don’t expect me to play host.”

I couldn’t help but smile at his grumpiness. “I wouldn’t expect you to.”

He nodded.

It was settled. I was curious and excited to see where these two unique males lived.

Like our last session, Rafe was unsuccessful at undoing the binding on my magic.

Lucien took his turn next, his eyes sharp as he tried to pry more information about the dark book from me. But I had nothing concrete to offer him. I was also wary of revealing too much without substantial proof.

I was grateful for their help, but could I trust them with this information without putting them in grave danger?

I knew Morgana had orchestrated everything. She had manipulated me, tortured me, and ultimately burned me at the stake. But how high did this conspiracy go? Were the elders involved? Or did everything happen due to Morgana’s insatiableneed for power? I had no idea if there was another motive I wasn’t aware yet.

Every word I uttered, every detail I revealed, could potentially lead them into danger. Or worse, they could inadvertently expose me to those who sought to control me.

As much as I yearned for their help, there was also a part of me that recoiled from it. The part that had been tormented and betrayed, the part that still bore the scars of past treacheries.

I was walking a fine line between seeking help and protecting my secrets. And though I had taken the first step toward trust by involving Rafe and Lucien, I wasn’t ready to leap just yet.

I could tell Lucien was not pleased, but he didn’t press further. He merely nodded, his eyes thoughtful.

“All right, Everhart,” he said, his voice holding a note of resignation. “We’ll revisit this when you’re ready.”

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