Second

Chapter Eighteen: Solstice | Part 2

“Enough about our Solstice plans,” Rhea said abruptly. “Are you all packed, Seerla? You’re leaving tonight, right?”

“Yeah, but not until after dinner. My parents didn’t want to get stuck in traffic, so we’re staying at an inn in Gourns tonight and finishing the drive tomorrow. I think the Dexerros are actually having us over for dinner this weekend, before everyone gets too busy with Solstice prep.” She perked up a bit at that reminder, then her face fell again as she looked at Thirtyx. Despite his constant reassurances, she still hadn’t resolved her conflicted feelings about apprenticing under someone who’d tortured him.

But Thirtyx didn’t have the chance to allay her fears again before raucous cheering rose across the room. At some of the tables farthest from theirs, some students were standing—hugging. As the fracs ticked by, they watched the wave of excitement roll in their direction.

“What in the world?” Rhea muttered. Thirtyx was pretty sure he recognized the fervor, but he didn’t know for certain until Mr. Blackstone tossed two letters onto their table.

They were addressed to Benn and Rhea, stamped with the seal of the Lamiakk Council of Schools.

“By the Twins, finally!” Rhea cried. Benn slit his open with a look suggesting he might vomit from the stress. Rhea, taking the far more impatient route, tore her envelope to shreds. Despite their relative certainty of the outcome, Thirtyx and Seerla leaned in with matching looks of anticipation.

“Yes!” Rhea shouted first. “Pass with exalted commendations! Dear Miss Grimmary, we are pleased to report that your scores ranked in the top ten for this exam worldwide, and you will find your ranking information on the next page…” She tossed the letter over her shoulder and squinted at the other sheet before visibly blanching. “Second? What half-rate Dragonfolk scored higher than me?”

Seerla chuckled. “Funny how quickly you went from worrying you didn’t pass to wondering why you don’t have the world’s highest score.”

Thirtyx stifled a snort. He learned long ago to keep such observations to himself, so Seerla’s lack of shame picked at his romantic hunger in a delightful way.

It made Rhea’s glare more bearable. “I knew I was going to pass, Seerla. And I know it’s poor form to care about my ranking, but when I’ve been at the top for so long, I start wondering what filthy, cheating scoundrel—”

“Ah, Mr. Grimmary! I believe congratulations are in order.”

Thirtyx suppressed a shudder as Azirenne approached their table. He felt his spine trying to shrink away from her, but he forced it into a more confident posture. Act like you have nothing to fear.

Benn smiled sheepishly at the headmistress. “Thank you, ma’am. It means a lot.”

“What a treasure it is to have the world’s first- and second-ranking senior sorcerers at this very table. I’m so proud of you both.”

A puce tint spread across Rhea’s face, embarrassment warring with wide-mouthed horror. It took her a few fracs to find the words. “First? You ranked first?”

Azirenne put a hand over her mouth. “Oh dear. My apologies, Mr. Grimmary. I thought you’d had time to share your news.”

Benn’s proud grin was contagious. Thirtyx felt it tugging at the corners of his own mouth, and he watched Seerla hide it behind her hand. “It’s no problem, Headmistress,” Benn said lightly. “I let Rhea share about her score first.”

Fortunately, modern magic hadn’t yet devised a spell that could kill with a single look. Rhea seemed ready to invent one on the spot.

“Anyway,” Azirenne continued, “I wanted to let you know about a ceremony next month in Palloc to honor the top scorer for each Comp. Travel is paid by the Council of Schools, the event will be projected—you’ll even receive a medal. I’ll share more details when I have them, but I wanted to warn you to keep your… busy calendar open.”

She looked to Thirtyx when she said it, and he forced himself to hold her gaze.

Benn nodded. “I will, Headmistress. Thank you.”

Azirenne had no sooner left the table before Benn was out of his seat, still beaming. “Oh, my. Look at the time. It’s almost 9th bar, and we should get to class.”

“Hey! No, you’re not getting away that easily!” Rhea cried, but Benn was already headed toward the dining hall doors.