Terramancer

Chapter Four

I had scrubbed my body with the sweet-smelling bar of soap until it was a mere stub, and the water was a murky brown. I had scrubbed under my nails, through my hair, every part of my body had been thoroughly cleaned. Once I had dried myself, I got into the clothes that Ece had provided me with and put them on.

The clothes fit me well, but the material scratched at my arms and legs. I was not used to wearing dresses. Back in Okphis, I wore trousers. Dresses, I had found, were far less practical for foraging in.

Once I had finished putting the clothes on, and brushing the knots out of my hair (a task that took far longer than I had expected), I peered at myself in a piece of reflective glass that hung above the sink.

My large brown eyes stared back at me. They were framed by long, dark lashes, and had dark purple circles under them. My blonde hair was wavy and the slight frizz of it formed a halo around the top of my head. I was not ugly, but I was not pretty either. My skin was just a little too pale, so that I constantly looked sickly. My hair was just a tad bit too unruly, and my full lips were cracked and dry.

I stepped back so I could get a better look at the gown I was wearing. It was a deep red, and made of a material that looked like silk, but felt rough to the touch. My shoulders were exposed, for the dress rested just below them. The sleeves were long and baggy at the sides, and tight at the wrist. The bodice clung to my slim figure, making me feel exposed. The skirt trailed along the floor.

Ece had also left a pair of shoes. They were the same shade of red as the dress, and the top of the foot was open with a strap crossing over the top of it so the shoe did not fall off. I put the shoes on. They fit me perfectly. I wondered how Ece had known my size and how he'd managed to find clothes that fit me perfectly.

A loud knock at the bathroom door startled me. I went to answer it. It was Ece. I almost swooned at the sight of him.

He was clearly dressed for dinnertime. He wore a suit, the bowtie made of the same material as my dress. The overcoat was brown, and had very prominent coattails. The trousers were the same shade of brown as his coat. His hands were firmly in his pockets as his icy blue eyes scanned me up and down. I had to resist the urge to cover myself with my hands.

"You look...alright, I suppose," he said, his eyes gliding back up to mine. "Your hair could do with more work but...we haven't the time." He offered me his arm. "Come, we must make haste if we are to get to dinnertime before it starts."

I took his arm, surprising myself. His touch made a shock run down my body, though I was not sure if it was the magic that coursed through his veins (I assumed he had magic, otherwise he would not be at the Academy), or whatever strange and complex emotions I already felt towards him.

I ignored any thought of that, and allowed him to lead me through the halls of the Academy toward the dining room.

We were, fortunately, not late. We had not, however, gotten to the dining room before Iza, which seemed to annoy Ece. He immediately brightened when he saw Iza staring at our interlinked arms, a horrified expression on his face. I hastily slipped my arm out of Ece's, feeling guilty. I did not want Iza to think I was cavorting with – what seemed to be – his worst enemy.

I looked up at Ece's face, but he was expressionless. He moved away from me, and sat in a chair as far away from Iza as possible. I bit my lip, then turned to sit next to Iza.

"Hi," I said.

"Hello," he replied. "You look wonderful." He grinned at me, and I rolled my eyes.

"Thank you." His compliment warmed my heart – and my face. I was not used to hearing kind words from men. Men back in Okphis could not be seen talking to me, or their reputation would be tarnished forever.