Ash's Place

Chapter 9

Ash's POV

The next four days pass by in relative peace. Xander and I continue to have dinner together every evening and he often finds me as I am going about my day. I unfortunately still have to listen to Ms. Harper drone on in my classes and I have to attend training practices every other day. Xander shows up to each of my practices and always congratulates and cheers for me when I am able to do something correctly.

I have never had anyone so genuinely invested in my success before and it makes me feel like someone actually cares about me. As opposed as I was to marrying a stranger when I found out a week ago, I am starting to feel excited about marrying Xander next week. I think he will be good for me. He is kind and patient and understanding and...fun. Xander is fun. He makes me laugh and I enjoy my time spent with him so much so that hours can pass in the blink of an eye, and still, I want to spend more time with him.

He wants to spend time with me too. He wants to spend time with me.

A ruler slaps down on my desk, and I look up at an exasperated Ms. Harper.

"Lady Locklynn, were you paying attention?"

"Nope," I reply cooly, and she pinches the bridge of her nose while sighing loudly.

"Can anyone else please repeat what I was saying so a certain someone can hear?" she asks, and I fight the urge to roll my eyes.

With a point of her finger, she calls on George to repeat what she said but right as George begins, the door to the classroom slowly opens and Finn walks inside.

"I apologize for the interruption, but Lady Locklynn is needed...elsewhere," he tells Ms. Harper and she purses her lips in annoyance.

"On whose orders?"

Finn does not react to the mocking sound of her voice and simply replies, "The King's."

Ms. Harper waved her hand at me with permission to leave but I was already making my way to Finn. He holds the door open for me as we leave the classroom, granting me freedom from the stuffy room. I take his arm when he extends his elbow out to me, and we start walking.

"Where are we going?" I ask quietly.

"The throne room."

I dread every interaction I have with the King and since he called me out of class, I assume it is because he deems me important enough to speak to about something. Finn is tensed and silent beside me which does not help the feeling of dread that is pooling in my stomach.

"Finn?"

"Yes, Lady Locklynn?"

"What is going on?"

He sighs, "I cannot tell you myself. I am under strict orders to deliver you to the throne room and then to escort you back to your quarters after. I wish your studies were not interrupted."

"They were not interrupted. I wasn't listening anyway," I scoff, and Finn lets out an entertained huff.

We fall silent again and my magic starts buzzing under my skin, further intensifying my nerves. I slowly inhale and exhale, trying to relax myself but to no avail; my magic seeps from my hands, flying into the air in a visual cacophony of bouncing colorful light.

Finn stops walking and allows my magic to extend itself up to the sky, as if it were racing for the sun itself, before turning to me and clasping my hands into his own. My magic immediately retreats back into my body at his touch, and I feel myself start to calm when my magic stops buzzing.

"Relax, Ash. Just breathe. You will be fine. It is just the King."

I nod my head, focusing on taking steadying breaths and he smiles and returns to my side, once again placing my hand in the crook of his arm. I blink and suddenly we are standing in front of the large wooden doors. The two guards outside bow their heads respectfully and I click my tongue to release them from their bow.