3 May 1374 - One week following the incident:

It wasn’t my best moment. Although it broke my heart, it opened my eyes to the truth. And that fact is more invaluable than I would have ever imagined.

3 years ago:

Arkayda walked through the door and the glimmer in his ocean blue eyes was enough to make may heart skip a beat in my chest. “Early as usual, Delya. Hope you’re ready to get started. We have much to go over today.”

My name was like silk coming from his lips. “Y-yes. Of course! Always!” He’s been my spells instructor for 6 months now and I’ve been in love with him from the moment he caught my fall. I would’ve broken several bones if he hadn’t been such a powerful magician. He’s always in such high spirits, and he’s always so nice to me. After every lesson we sit on the balcony of the classroom and watch as the emerald skies turn black. A symbol that we’ve reached the end of our time together.

“You did very well today. You’re growing stronger with every new spell you learn.” I stared at his arms, and watched as the muscles shifted as they pushed off the balcony railing. “Same time next week?” He side-smiled at me and I braved a glance into his eyes. They were beautiful. They starred back at me and that’s when I knew what he was trying to say. He enjoyed our lessons the same way I did.

“Yes! I’ll practice twice as hard!” He laughed and gave me a salute goodbye. Cursed to act as though we had nothing between us. He was my teacher. Nothing could ever happen between us, not until I graduated.

One week ago - Day of the incident:

It was graduation day, and the speech I had practiced dozens of times rested in my pocket. Not my graduation speech. No. The one that I had prepared for Arkayda. The one that would unite us.

Finally found him, “Arkayda!” I rushed over and took his wrist. I’d never been so forward in my life. “I need to talk to you. Can we go somewhere? Private?” He looked concerned, but I didn’t address it. He’d understand soon enough. Behind the potions building, he waited as I breathed deep to put myself out there, hoping not to pass out in the process. Suddenly, I found myself unable so speak the words I had written down on that parchment.

Arkayda sensed my resistance. He knew me so well. “Delya?” He touched my shoulder with an uncertain desire. “Are you feeling alright? You look uneasy. I’ll get you some water.”

“No!” He stopped in his tracks. My gaze retreated to the grass below us. “I-I mean…thank you, but I’m just…I’m trying to…” He came closer, and there was only one thing I could bring myself to do. I took him by the nape of his neck and brought his lips to meet mine.

It was pure euphoria. Everything I had dreamed it would be. We had only been like that for a moment until he pushed me away. His eyes had changed. They no longer looked me in the eyes. Instead they focused on the gargoyle beside me. “Delya, I…” my brows twitched, and I felt my heart freeze in my chest. “I don’t…I’m sorry, but I—“

“No, I’m sorry,” horrified, I turned to run into the forest before he grabbed my shoulder with his magic. “Please let me go, I understand. Just please let me go.”

“No! You don’t understand!” This caught me by surprise. “I just can’t…allow myself to lose focus.”

I starred back at him now, resisting the urge to release my embarrassed tears. I asked with an unsteady tone, “Focus from what?”

A beat. “Have you heard of the resistance?” He waited while I said nothing. “I’m one of their leaders. I’ve actually wanted to tell you for a while now. Can I trust you?” I was still silent. “Please, Delya, I need to know. Tell me I can trust you.”

I nodded once. And then he told me everything. He told me about the corruption that lay inside the Magical Cabinet. Everything they’ve been doing without the people knowing. It was horrifying. I almost asked him to stop. But I needed to know. And then I needed to do something. And as he spoke, the emerald skies began to turn black again.