With a stiff bow, he was out of the doorway and holding the carriage open for us.
They’d sent a carriage?
Elex stretched his hand out and motioned me forward.
I could see my own disappointment in his eyes. I’d just wanted to spend time with him and forget the mess of my life in his arms and bed for only one night.
“I know, Kimber,” he whispered, helping me up, “I promise I’ll make it up to you.”
The edge of my lips quirked up.
I liked his promises.
* * *
The masters had moved into the dormitory. They were all disappointed with the apartments, and I had found the fortitude to scold them all at their privilege.
Really, though, the apartments they did move into were beyond what the commoner would have.
Certainly larger than anything I’d ever had.
They’d all been spoiled by their lavish palace. It was impossible to avoid being spoiled when a life could literally be immortal.
Still, they’d all started to adapt.
Except for Master Dorian. Of course.
I couldn’t see anything wrong with the dormitories. They were gorgeous and lavish really, with arched windows and huge, ornate doors that were welcoming if slightly intimidating.
The carriage stopped in front of the main doors.
Elex climbed out after the driver opened the door and held his hand out to me to help me out. He motioned me to walk ahead of him since they had summoned me.
It made sense.
We walked through the main doors to the stairs and headed up. There were five floors. I was beyond tired after the past few days. I didn’t know how much longer I could stay on my feet.
Two men waited on either side of the door. They were mirror identical to each other, and it was confusing to my poor, tired mind.
They had one blue and one brown eye, with shaggy brown-blond hair, broad shoulders, tanned skin, and the faint smell of ocean around them.
Strangely, though, I felt a pull toward them. One I couldn’t place or name.
In perfect sync, the two of them opened the doors to the sitting area to admit Elex and me.
Somewhere in the back of my mind, I heard my own thoughts: Gods, they are gorgeous specimens.
I shook it off and headed into the sitting area, and the two doormen followed us in, shutting the door. The scent of ocean followed them in.
Master Dorian and Tymon sat in two of the chairs, Lunella sat on Tymon’s right, and the twins moved to sit on Master Dorian’s right.
Most of the twelve masters had gathered in the room. Only two seats were empty.
“Good evening, Mistress Raven,” Tymon said, with a nod.
Elex bowed while I curtsied. “Good evening, masters.”
Lunella gestured to the identical men. “I would like you to meet Masters Rilen and Roran. They are from the Temple of the Spine at the Northern Sea. They came to say good-bye to Danai.”
My heart hurt for a moment, but I was too tired to cry again.
Master Dorian stared at me.
I had never been able to read him, and now it was worse. Not only was his face stony, but there was no sense of him. The magic cut off around him, making him a blank.
Tymon moved to where Elex and I were waiting.
“Miss Raven, by the nearly unanimous vote of this council, we are, as of tonight, raising you to the seat of a master.”
My legs gave out and wouldn’t hold me. Elex caught me before I hit the floor.
“Master?” Elex asked, steadying me.
“We have a vacant seat,” Tymon said. “We need all the seats filled, especially now. Kimber is our most logical candidate.”
“I’m weak,” I mumbled.
I wasn’t sure if I was talking about my legs or my magic.
“We need you.”
I forced my feet to hold me again. “I’ve never been a master magic wielder, and you all know it. I’m a teacher. Look what happened to me in the garden the other day. I’m not suited to that chair. Not any more than a horse or chicken might be.”
Master Dorian chuckled.
Jackass.
Lunella shot Dorian a look I was sure I wasn’t supposed to see, then turned to me. “Kimber. You are the most logical choice. The mountain speaks to you, and that alone makes you the best candidate. I know you believe you’re too young, but Master Vitus was elected to the council at just fifty years old.”
I shook my head. “Mister Vitus was born using magic.”
Master Vitus chuckled this time. “She’s right.”
“Shut up, Vitus.” Lunella narrowed her eyes.
His hand covered a smirk on his face, and he shifted away from Elex and me.
“Masters, if you don’t need me, I’ll leave now.” Elex bowed his head respectfully and started to back up.
“Lord Everettson, you are to join Mistress Raven in her apartments.” Master Dorian stood as he made the announcement.
We both halted, sharing a shocked glance, and at least two of the other masters in the room didn’t like what he had said. There was disgruntled mumbling.
“That’s not the way this is done, Master Dorian,” Master Bebbinel stated.
Master Dorian turned, and the look he tossed at the man could have withered stone. “I don’t give a shit about your rules and regulations. She should have been made to move into these rooms as soon as we suspected she was the Breaker. But no, you asses had to go and try to deny this. Danai would not be dead—”
“Do not try to pass the blame to us,” Master Argo started.
“I’m not passing blame, you burning bag of shit. I’m telling you, you’d all do well to stop ignoring me. I am the oldest living among you, and you all get stuck in propriety and tradition that is bullshit.”
He whipped back to us. “You two will occupy the apartment. No questions asked. Elex, you are to protect Kimber. Kimber, you are part of the council.” Master Dorian raked his gaze over every other person in the room. “I’m done waiting for you blazing morons to do things. If I see fit, I will do what I need.”
“The rules came in for a reason, Dorian.” The calm alto of Lunella’s voice seemed to slice through the tension in the room, dropping it to a comfortable level.
“I don’t have—”
She held up a hand. She seemed to be one of the few people that could stop Master Dorian on one of his tirades. “None of us have to follow the rules, Dorian. We’re all powerful, and we’re intelligent. The rules never were for us, and you know that.”
He grunted and walked back to his seat. After dropping down into it, unhappy, he still managed to stare at Elex and me. “You are both still going to be moved into the apartments.”
Lunella shook her head, ever so slightly. “My dear, you have a day to yourself tomorrow. We will send the servants for your things, and you may take the day to settle in. The following day, your duties begin.”
I curtsied again, and one of the servants herded Elex and me out through a side door into the rest of the building.
This was home now.
I was a master.
I wasn’t ready.
Jallina turned the cup in her hands, staring at the small eddies the motion created.
I smirked. This was her “I’m thinking” activity. I could see the wheels in her head turning.
“You were really made a master.”