Page 29 of Academy of the Wicked, Year Two

"What do you need from us?" Cassius asks finally, shadows settling into more neutral patterns. He catches my gaze, and though it softens a little bit, I try not to show my true emotions in return.

He’s just like Nikolai. Just less vocal. He didn’t interfere, which makes him no different than all the others.

"Blood freely given," Atticus repeats, continuing his work on the ritual circle. The pattern grows increasingly complex – intricate spirals intersecting with angular runes unlike any magical system I've encountered. "And a temporary truce."

A truce?

I’m not expecting that.

Cascading Llusions And Trials

~GWENIVERE~

“Atruce for what?” Nikolai states in obvious distaste, only to freeze at the blood knife that’s now hovering against his throat with obvious intentions.

My eyes are already side-eyeing Atticus, who crosses his arms and stands before both of them as if we have all the time in the world to have this conversation this instance.

“In any other instance you two would either be dead or at least so severely injured you’d wish to be reborn so you’d no longer be in agony,” he announces boldly with a hint of remorse.

The depth of his voice sends chills through me, while I can’t deny the way the pit of my stomach flips in correlation with the pooling coiling of lust that hums through my lower region at his sudden dominance.

Before Nikolai can dare speak, Atticus glares his way.

“You really think I’m stupid?” He states with an emotionless declaration that leaves Nikolai's jaw dropped in silence. “You sat in that cafeteria because those fuckers threatened to harm Gwenivere if you tried to play hero and interfere.”

Wait…what?

Nikolai doesn’t say anything, keeping his expression neutral, but the perfected Fae can’t hide what I see in the depths of his eyes.

That flickering regret.

"Those Fae were superiors in disguise as students, forcing you to remain and watch as your previous friend and comrade humiliated the woman you’ve taken an interest in. A blackmailed plot to ensure you stay in your lane and remember that a fae prince can’t possibly be with a hybrid. One who in your world of prestige and perfection would never allow a vampire witch to be a part of your royal empire of grandiose expectations and infinite possibilities.”

When he has nothing to combat, Atticus looks at Cassius who doesn’t wait for him to say what needs to be said.

“I’ll explain my lack in aiding, my Little Mouse when we’re not tethering between life and death,” he simply puts it, our eyes locking once more. I quickly swallow the lump in my throat, trying not to acknowledge the fluttering uncertainty and potential wonder this sudden confession of purpose could mean for “us”.

I watch the way he stands a little taller before he eyes me directly without shying away.

“But what happened was wrong. Undeniably wrong. It’s in my nature to avoid confrontation, and maybe I assumed not interfering would lead to a different outcome than it did,” he confesses. His Duskwalker is behind him now, and it’s surprising to watch the being of darkness. His skull-like head emerges from the shadows while its hollow eyes ignite like burning flames.

In a second, it bows its head, the solemn action so simplistic, but it flickered a reaction from me as my eyes widened to take the rare behavior in. Cassius is next to follow, even going to one knee to further add his expression of undeniable regret.

“I’ll make it short because our survival is vital, but I, Prince Cassius of the realm of Duskwalkers, apologize to you, Gwenivere. No matter the circumstances and instances, my lack of reaction and interference was uncalled for and inappropriate, no matter whether we were barely strangers or bonded beings. When we survive this turmoil, we will discuss it at your convenience and pace, and I’m not expecting you to carry on the connection as it left off before the instance.”

He lifts his head so our eyes can meet again, and it’s those rare instances where I truly get the privilege to witness the raw emotion in those stunning silvery depths of his eyes that captivate me each time.

“When you’re ready to start over, I’ll be ready to listen and unlearn the behaviors that allowed that instance to occur.” He slowly rises. “I don’t ask for you to forgive me for I’ve not gained such an opportunity of such kindness. Instead, I ask for your patience to allow me the privilege to start over and prioritize the right way, no matter the hidden implications that plagued us into reacting the way we did.”

I’ve never seen a man be willing to openly throw himself under the bus like this by admitting his mistake. Sure, I’m coming to realize that something or someone ensured both Cassius and Nikolai wouldn’t interfere in the bullying that still haunts me by the second, but Cassius isn’t using that excuse to defend his actions.

No. He’s acknowledging that what he did was absolutely wrong and if it means starting over again, he’s willing to do exactly that if it gives him the privilege to explain his lack of action.

In due time, when I’m ready for such a conversation.

The ground shakes violently, forcing us to acknowledge Tainted Mortimer and Shadow Grim duke it out, dragon to dragon, proving we won’t have much time for this platform tomaintain the heaviness of the dual dragons, even if one of them is an obvious doubleganger.

Returning our attention back to each other, I decide to give him a hint of recognition, knowing the words will allow us to return to this at another time.

---