Page 124 of Academy of the Wicked, Year Two

He's protecting her at his own expense. Interesting.

The realization shifts my assessment of the scholar yet again.

His refusal stems not from rejection of connection but a deliberate choice to preserve the advantages his current position provides our collective effort.

"I understand," Gwenivere acknowledges, disappointment evident despite an obvious attempt to mask it. "Though I hate leaving you behind."

At this point, I feel we all do because nothing is guaranteed.

We don’t know if he’ll be able to follow us or if he’ll truly be stuck between the realms of Year One and Two…

We also don’t know if we can come back…

Mortimer's smile carries unexpected warmth that transforms his typically scholarly features.

"Who says I'm being left behind?" he counters with surprising mischief lighting his expression. "The Seven have certain privileges that extend beyond ordinary advancement restrictions. I'll find my own path forward when the time comes."

Zeke clears his throat, drawing attention back to the most pressing concern.

"The temporal extension is nearing its limit," he warns. "We need to finalize our plan regarding the throne and Nikolai's participation."

Right. The temperamental Fae prince turned reluctant princess remains unaccounted for.

"Can we use the bond to locate him?" I ask, strategic assessment overriding lingering territorial concerns regarding expanding connections.

Gwenivere nods, expression suggesting already considered this approach. "With Zeke's help, I think I can follow the connection directly to him, yes?" she asks for confirmation,which makes her feel the familiar bond is working because it’s as if she already knew what she was capable of doing.

“Yes, Zeke reveals. Once I get the image of you, you can come down and we can head there together.

We all nod, knowing we have a game plan that will serve a purpose for both our missions. We really only have one shot at this, so it has to go right by any means.

"And the royal essence?" Cassius inquires, practical considerations as always taking precedence over theoretical discussion.

Zeke gestures toward the glowing "peach" still cradled in Gwenivere's palm.

"It needs to be reunited with the throne before the activation attempt," he explains. "Otherwise, the energy signature will remain incomplete, preventing proper integration with whoever attempts to claim it."

"So we find Nikolai, locate the throne, return the essence, and coordinate the activation while capturing photographic evidence of the entire process," I summarize, reducing complex magical operations to achievable sequential steps. "Sounds straightforward enough."

"When has anything involving this academy ever been straightforward?" Cassius counters with characteristic dry humor that draws unexpected appreciation despite our occasionally tense relationship.

He's not wrong.

The timepiece above our heads chimes a soft warning, indicating our temporary exclusion from normal temporal flow approaches its conclusion.

"We need to move," Mortimer states, scholarly precision momentarily replaced by genuine urgency. "Once we exit this space, return to the designated meeting point near the centralobservatory. The aerial perspective and throne location likely converge at that junction."

Gwenivere nods, determination replacing lingering uncertainty with focused resolve I've come to admire perhaps more than any other quality she possesses.

"One last thing," she states, turning to face all of us with an expression that accepts no argument. "Whatever happens with the throne, with the Seven, with the Headmaster…we stay together. No one gets left behind this time." She pauses to look over to Mortimer to add, “Including you, Mortimer. You find us as soon as you can.”

“I’ll communicate with Zeke if I may,” he reassures her. She nods before looking over at me as if she wants all of our verbal agreements.

My Queen of Spades. Always caring for her pieces even when the board itself threatens to burn.

"Agreed," I respond immediately, Cassius echoing with equally firm commitment.

Zeke's expression suggests surprised gratification at inclusion in this collective promise, further evidence of previous abandonment that somehow manages to trigger sympathy despite lingering territorial irritation at his presence.

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