Free The Mindmage's Wrath: A Book of Underrealm (The Academy Journals 2) by Garrett Robinson

tell your kin. But he might tell the constables, and then word of it would reach your family regardless. I cannot believe a royal would be satisfied until the matter was brought before the law.”
    Ebon’s brow furrowed. He wished to deny Adara’s words. And yet, it did sound like something Kalem would do. The boy would wish the matter resolved to the satisfaction of himself, the King’s law, and likely some within the Academy. Then word would surely reach his father. The thought made him cringe. Ebon could only imagine what might happen to him then.
    Some of his worry must have shown in his eyes, for Adara gripped his hands tighter. “I see your fear. Do not let your heart be troubled. We need fear nothing, for your family will never learn the truth.”
    “But then what am I to do? I may keep the secret from my family and the King’s law, and even my friends, but I cannot keep it from myself. And it is my own mind that plagues me.”
    “Then take comfort in me.” Adara gently pulled him close, planting a kiss on one cheek, and then the other. “Tell me of your worries and your fears, and let me dispel them.” Her kisses fell to his neck as her hand slid across his chest.
    Ebon gulped. “That is an attractive prospect, to be certain.” He drew back and met her eyes. “It will be as you say, at least for now. But you might not feel the same if you could only meet them—Theren and Kalem, I mean. What if we spent time together, all of us, beyond the blue door?”
    Adara frowned, and in her eyes there was a worry Ebon could not place. “Are you certain that is wise? If your father is having you watched ...”
    “He would not do so yet. Not until he reaches the Seat. And it would gladden my heart to have you all together—you three, who I love most in this world.”
    He blushed and looked away, for that seemed a foolish thing to say. She is a lover, he reminded himself. He had known that when first he came to see her, and every time since. Why, then, was it so hard not to think of Adara as something more? He did not see her as his, certainly ... and yet, whenever he thought of her, it seemed to him that each belonged to the other.
    Then, to his surprise, Adara’s hand was on his cheek, and she turned him to face her. Softly, she said, “If it would ease your mind, then gladly will I meet them.” Her hands fell to push him onto the bed, and then she was atop him. “After all, it is my duty to ease your burdens.”
    His only reply was to kiss her.

eight

    SOME HOURS LATER, EBON SAT drinking in a tavern a few streets over from the Academy. Soon the bells would ring for the midday meal, and he might slip in through the front door unnoticed. It was not uncommon for students to take their meal in the city, and he could merge with the crowd without drawing much attention. Some gave him odd looks as he waited—his Academy student robes were out of place in the tavern before the midday—but after his visit to Adara, he was unable to summon much concern.
    “You must learn to wash the smell off, little goldbag.”
    Mako’s growling voice nearly made Ebon choke on his wine. The bodyguard had appeared at his elbow without warning. Now he pushed Ebon aside and slid onto the bench beside him. Ebon was glad to see the man, but he could not stop a nagging thought, warning him that Mako had blocked his exit.
    “Perhaps I shall bathe instead of eating.”
    “You had better. You smell more like your lover than yourself.” Mako’s teeth appeared in a cruel smile—though Ebon did not find it quite so frightening as he once had.
    “How did you know to find me here?”
    “I did not. I had planned on visiting you in the library this afternoon, and was waiting for my chance to slip inside the citadel. Only by chance did I enter this place to find you waiting for me instead.”
    “Waiting for you?” said Ebon, chuckling. “I knew not that you sought me.”
    Mako’s smirk widened, and he motioned to a barman for ale. But