The Arcane Rebellion- The Arcane Series #1

Chapter 11

Layla

I got myself a bowl of soup and sat down at the only free table in the dining hall. It was full today, which is somewhat a surprise.

I dug into my soup and soon saw a figure approaching me. It was Xavi. He stood next to the table and I looked up at him.

"Can I sit here? All the other tables are full.", he said and I nodded.

"There's nothing stopping you, is there?", I asked.

"Layla, would you please stop giving me the cold shoulder. I know I messed up but we're adults, for crying out loud.", he said and he sat down across from me.

I got up from my seat, pushing my chair far behind. "And the perk of being an adult is you get to act however you like, and no one can tell you anything.", I said. "You think you can flatter and charm your way back into earning my trust but that's not how it works Xavi.", I told him, pointing a finger at him, but speaking quietly so no one could hear us over the clamor and chatter in the dining hall.

"Xavi, you may think I'm overreacting.", I said. "But you have to understand why I'm angry.", I added.

"Why, Layla! Why are you angry? Please, do explain!", he said, also getting up.

It pained me to say what I was going to say next. "Because you basically did the same thing those knights and politicians did years ago to me and other mages. It may have not been physical torture, but it was mental torture. At least to me it was. If I can't trust you're not going to mimic something that you damn well know left many scars, then I can't trust you at all.", I told him and my whole body hurt. To this moment, he was the only person I truly trusted with my life. I trusted Amir and Uriah, but only to a certain extent and definitely not as much as I trusted Xavi.

I started going over to one of the counters where we place dirty dishes and Xavi followed.

"You're comparing me to them?", he asked, disbelief evident on his face. "To what they did to you?", his tone was full of betrayal.

"I know you were trying to help. But there were other ways.", I said, my voice only above a whisper.

His expression was hurt and full of regret. "Layla, you know I never intended to remind you of that. You know I would never, ever hurt you.", he said, his eyes pleading for me to listen. "If I had done it some other way, would you still be angry at me like you are now?", he asked, even though he knew the answer.

"You know I would be angry, Xavi, regardless of the way you've done it."

"But you might've forgiven me if I did it some other way?", he asked, his brows furrowed.

"I don't know Xavi. Time will tell.", I replied and left, not having the mental energy to argue anymore. I wanted to stay, tell him I still might forgive him, but that was the irrational part of me.

He continued following me. "'Time will tell.' What is that supposed to mean,  Layla?!" he asked, begging me to talk to him.

"It means that I don't know if or when I'll forgive you!", I yelled, turning back only to tell him that and then climbing up the stairs to my room.

"Layla, I am willing to get on my knees and beg for your forgiveness if that's what it takes!", he said just as I entered my room. I was about to close the door but his hand stopped it. He pushed the door open and got into my room. I sighed.

"I don't want you to beg, I want you to realize the mistake you've made!", I told him and my eyes widened as he actually got onto his knees. "Oh, for fuck's sake, be serious!", I said, expecting him to get up.