The Knight Academy

CHAPTER 40

Although I wasn't called for, I left my new dorm, situated by Will's side, and slipped out of the dorm and to the Headmaster's office. I knocked and once he said "Enter," I quickly ducked in.

The Headmaster didn't seem surprised when he saw me, but then again his mask hid any expression he would show. He smiled, amused, and I was brought back to that night when I killed Vic. My hands shook before I knelt down on one knee.

"You've been taught well, Rottings. Did the punishment scare you into becoming so docile?" his confident voice cooed, hiding a bit of laughter.

"I come here not to speak of the past, but the future." My hands shook and I fixated my eyes on the table instead of the Headmaster's face. "Can you allow Clive, at least, a normal life? A life without murder and to pass the Knight Exam?"

"What is the meaning of this?" His tone had changed quickly.

"It's just he has so much potential! I don't mind if I have to give something for him to do this—I need him to be grounded, to be normal. Not killing rebels."

"Then who kills the rebels?" the Headmaster asked. "You? Son of the man who is plotting to overthrow His Majesty?"

I couldn't speak. My tongue was heavy and I knew I couldn't kill again, I wouldn't be able to sleep at night. I wouldn't be able to breathe without guilt! I was not able to do anything for Clive, who was always there for me.

"Either way, Rottings, this year during the final exam there'll be a little surprise."

"Surprise?" I felt sick when he said it. "Can Clive and I work together?"

"No. You will never be a pair with him. Don't bother to dream."

His laughter boomed, and shaking, I couldn't speak any more on the subject and rushed out without saying anything.

Clive stood outside and backed away from the door, and I hugged him.

He hugged me too, then gestured for us to go upstairs. He pulled me into the room and hastily locked his door.

We whispered each others names and hastily kissed, unable to waste time talking. He kissed my neck and finally slowed down, both of us panting, scared to whisper anything. His room was dimly lit with a lantern and the candlewick was so short I imagined he used it often for night missions.

"I can't explain it, but I have a bad feeling about the physical exam this year," I whispered.

"I heard," Clive said, his lips pink from kissing me, and I reached up to rub his earlobes with the gem. I moved it hand and he leaned into it.

"I want to just sleep with you. Nestle the way we used to," I realized. His presence itself made me forget about all the things I disliked and the trauma we faced. We were together, after all.

"You always told me you hated it."

"I lied. I just thought we would forever be students and be together, but with my family situation and yours I don't know anymore."

"It's only winter," he reassured me. "We have three months until the final exam, and I'm sure we'd win however we are paired up."

He was so foolish. So innocent. My hands ran past his hair and we kissed, tongue soft against one another, and I tasted his lips, fearing it'd be the last time.

But strangely, Clive cried with almost no sound besides his sniffing, and he hugged me, his mouth's hot breaths on my neck, hand running through my hair. Hugging him back I laid down on his bed with him in my arms, and his tears stopped, although he watched me intensely, eyes wide and glassy. After minutes of just laying down and hearing his heartbeat the flame fizzled out.