CHAPTER 51: ALNILAM’S PROPOSITION

(Amaia)

I spend the night in the infirmary and TJ discharges me the next day with strict instructions on a slip.

No combat for a week.

No physical punishments for a month.

I thank the kind healer before leaving the infirmary and head over to my room.

Suddenly, I hear the fluttering of wings, and Zille appears out of nowhere.

~Coo~

He utters what seems like a happy sound and settles on my shoulder.

"Zille!" I excitedly reach out and pat his shiny bluish black feather covered back.

He melts under my touch, closing his eyes he just rubs his beak on my ear.

His wound seems to have recovered and he appears perfectly healthy.

"Did you miss me?" I ask with a smile, loving his affection and he just coos in response.

Both of us arrive back in our room and he returns to the small bird house Kacir has bought for him. It’s painted black and red and rests on the corner table along with Zille’s food and water dishes.

Zille settles inside it and just closes his eyes, coping softly as if satisfied that I am back.

I glance around the empty room. Beds are made, and my neatly folded uniform lies on top of mine. Kacir appears to be out so I just pick up my uniform and place it in the cupboard.

Tomorrow, the classes and training will commence, and I am not sure how much I will be allowed to attend.

There is a knock on the door so I approach and open it.

It’s Cristo, my lab partner from "Chemistry and Biology of Elixirs."

"Hey!" He awkwardly waves, his eyes fix on the bandage on my head.

"Hey!" I answer with a smile.

"How are you feeling? Sorry your detention got so prolonged and you got hurt." I notice he has bound his bluish black hair back in a small manbun.

"It’s alright. Part of the training but I will be back tomorrow."

"Great! I saved all your homework and made extra notes for Chemistry and Biology of Elixirs. If there is any help in that regard, I will be more than happy to provide it." He extends his notebook towards me and I happily accept.

"Thank you!" I sincerely smile at him.

"One more thing. Sir Alnilam wants to see you in his office," he apologetically says.

My heart skips a beat. What does he want? Maybe he wants to gloat at my condition.

"I appreciate you passing on the message."

"See you in class tomorrow." Cristo waves and disappears.

Taking his notebook I place it inside the cupboard and take a few deep breaths. The thought of seeing Alnilam has put me on edge.

Quietly closing the door behind me, I leave the dormitory and head to his office. A few familiar faces wave at me. I wave back. Others simply ignore me as I walk outside under the blistering sun.

Soon, I arrive outside his office but I have no strength to face him. Last time I was in his proximity, my magic revealed itself to him. Trusting him? Or just overpowered by his strong one?

Also, the opinion he holds of me and that distrust his eyes carry for me, haunts me.

Nonetheless, I have to face him and see what he wants. Ignoring the erupting pain in my chest I extend my hand and use my knuckles to knock on his door.

"Enter!" His voice comes laced with authority and poise. It still makes my knees shake.

Why does this man have so much hold on me?

Alnitak and Mintaka; I can handle, but him...

Pushing the doorknob down I open the door and enter his space. His scent hits me first, and I draw in a deep breath, filling my lungs with it.

The thick white candles illuminate his office. Everything is immaculately placed in its place, nothing out of order.

My eyes roam and find him, standing near the bookshelf. A book in his hand from the looks of it.

His hair is neatly tied in a bun near his thick neck, making the broad back visible to me, where muscles ripple. Strangely he is not in his Enforcer attire but rather in a casual white dress shirt and a pair of black pants.

My mouth waters at the sight of this forbidden man and I know it’s just the stupid pheromones. The man doesn’t even want to see the truth about me, let alone feel it himself.

I clear my throat when he doesn’t turn around. "You called for me?"

He closes the book with a thud and slowly turns around to watch me. The golden halo around him makes him appear nothing short of an angel. But it’s those magnetic eyes of his that make my pulse rise.

He leans against the bookshelf, still holding that thick book with an ancient binding around it.

"How is your head?" He asks. Quietly. Sophisticatedly.

His words ignite a fire inside my chest, making it tighter. Was there a hint of care behind them?

He seems more composed, his magic seems under control today.

"Why do you care?" I answer bitterly.

He just watches me with judgmental eyes, and I feel stupid for even coming. I am a person not a ragdoll. He can insult and just throw around.

I wait and he doesn’t speak again, just watches me, quietly.

"If that’s all then I think we are done." I turn around to walk away.

"I didn’t dismiss you," his rough voice has me pausing.

"Why? You need to belittle me some more? Throw accusations or just pass another punishment. Maybe a few more days in the dungeon," I snort, my emotions swirl like an impending storm.

After what I saw in that dungeon, I can explode at any moment. The memories I shared with Rigel, compared to those of these brothers, make me want to return to him, if only that is possible.

"No. On the contrary. I want you to train with me. Your magic, it’s raw and unpolished because you haven’t practised." He places his thumb and finger under his pointed chin.

"It’s time you train using your magic and since I am the only person who knows about it. I will help you with it."

Dumbfounded at his words, I just stare at him.