the truth globes in here.” He dragged two chairs together and motioned me to take one.
After I’d finished with the French Sentinels and their alliance with Asile was verified, Bastien sat down to have me verify his. Everything about him suggested royalty. I kept my focus on the globe, trying to ignore the intense vibe coming from him. He passed, and I was eager to get some distance between us. But he just sat there, not moving, staring at me with those eyes that held so much depth it was like falling into the ocean.
“You should be proud being betrothed to me,” he finally said. “One day I’ll be the high wizard of Couve and you’d be like a queen.”
I adjusted uneasily in my chair. “What if you hadn’t found me? Isn’t there a runner up or something? I’m happy to give her my spot.”
Amusement played on his face. “If you’re trying to dissuade me, you’re doing a horrible job.”
“I take it you’re not used to rejection,” I said.
He lifted a smile. “I’ll admit it’s a rare occurrence.”
Arik took a step toward us. “All right, we’re finished here.”
Bastien stood and leaned over to my ear. “You not wanting nobility intrigues me. I’m curious to learn more about you, Gianna.” His whisper tickled my neck and sent a shiver down my back. I held my breath, every inch of my body at attention. He straightened, gave me a wink, and swaggered to the door with Arik on his heels.
Holy crap. I felt like I’d just melted in my chair. The boy was definitely confident, maybe on the side of arrogant, but something about him made me want to know more, too.
Arik glanced back and caught me watching Bastien’s retreat. I dropped my gaze and played with the fraying hole in my jeans. The look on his face was somewhere between disappointment and anger. But why? He’d made it clear there could never be anything romantic between us.
Alone with the familiar smells of the library, I shut my eyes and inhaled the musty scent of old books. Sitting in the middle of history with the scent of aged leather and floor polish teasing my nose, I began to relax.
“Well, did they pass?” Lei entered the room. “Arik won’t say. For some reason he’s all puffed up like a blowfish, brooding.”
I lifted my heavy head. “Yeah, they did.”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m just a little weak. We haven’t eaten in a while. I’ll be fine in a moment.”
Lei crossed the room, pulling a power bar from a side pocket in her cargo pants. “Sorry it’s a bit squishy, but it’s food.”
“Thanks.”
Lei pulled out another flattened bar, and we ate in silence. When she was finished, she extended her hand to me. “Come on, let’s join the others.”
“Yeah, okay.” I grasped her hand and let her pull me up.
“This whole business about betrothals is a bother, isn’t it?”
“It’s pretty stupid, if you ask me.” I curled my hand into a fist. “There’s no way someone else is going to pick who I marry.”
“I’m not certain the Wizard Council realizes what one will risk for love.” A sadness hinted on her face before she forced a smile. “On the upside, you could do worse. Most girls would think they won the betrothal lottery with Bastien.” She headed back to the door, flinging her wrapper in a nearby trashcan.
I stopped. “Who’s Arik’s betrothed?”
She turned around, raising a curious eyebrow at me. “You’re still pining for him, huh? She’s a mage in Esteril. A very wholesome girl.”
Blood rushed to my face. “I’m not pining for him.”
“All right, Ducky, and I’ll pretend to believe you.”
“What about you?” I challenged her. “Can you give up true love for your betrothed?”
She shrugged.
“I bet you like the silent, strong type,” I teased her. “Say, with an East Indian flare.”
“I gather you’ve figured out Kale and I fancy each other.” A mischievous smile crossed over her lips. “And no, I can’t imagine being with anyone else.”
I dumped my wrapper in the trashcan and followed her out of the room. Everyone’s attention was on us when we walked into the lobby.
“We have a few from the human world with us,” Arik was saying to Bastien when we joined them. “I must get them to the shelter.”
“I think we should go to Couve first,” Bastien said. “If my brother is Veronique’s lover, I fear for my Haven. With our Sentinels gone, my people are vulnerable. If your Sentinels come with me, I will send one of