I wanted to sleep.
But I was too restless.
I tossed and I turned but it was no use. An hour passed by and it wasn't getting any better. Scouring my nightstand I found one of the small vials I kept packed in my bag. A sleeping draught. It wasn't the ideal solution – usually Alchemy's potions left me queasy - but I did not want to spend the next day falling off my horse on the long trek to Ishir because I hadn't gotten enough rest.
I swallowed the bitter liquid in one long gulp and then lay back down on my bed as I waited for it to take effect.
Everything became quiet, heavy, rhythmic. My eyelids fluttered shut and I was only vaguely aware that I was still wearing my dress…
The loud clatter of a fallen sconce jerked me awake.
I sat up, suddenly dizzy. Someone in the hallway outside was cursing. Had they no respect for the sleeping? I tried to lay back down, only to be awaken again by a second clatter as the person tried to replace the sconce and dropped it again.
I stumbled out of my room with a purpose. The chamber door spun as I swung it open and tottered out into the hallway. The Academy's illustrious blue fire torches lit up the passage enough to see door panels, but I still had to squint to see in the darkness.
"Get some decency!" I scolded the shadow. "Some of us are trying to-" I yawned. "-Sleep in peace."
"Ryiah, is that you?"
"What of it?" I grumbled. The contents of my stomach came riding up. Oh no. I clutched my ribs. I should have known better than to take a sleeping draught on an empty stomach.
I quickly sat down. My head was spinning. Everything was spinning. I did not feel good.
"Are you sick?" The shadow approached and I saw hazel-green eyes. It was all I needed. I burst into hysterical laughter and then immediately regretted it. Could this night get any worse?
"Where's Lynn?"
Ian started and then shook his head, frowning. "You should go to bed, Ryiah."
A wave of nausea hit me and I swallowed hard. I needed to say something first. "I should have fought you outright," I croaked. "I'm sorry for that day in the desert."
Ian sighed, and the next thing I knew he was sitting down next to me on the cold marble floor. There was silence for a moment - just the sound of quiet hearts beating as we leaned against the wall, shoulder-to-shoulder in shadows.
"I've been acting like a jealous fool," he said abruptly. "You have nothing to apologize for Ryiah."
"But I-"
"You did what needed to be done."
Wait. Did he say…? I turned to face the third-year. "Did you say jealous?"
The mentor regarded me grimly. "We are Combat mages, Ry. You wanted to win, and I understand why you did what you did." He exhaled softly. "When we were in that cave… I guess I just thought things had changed between us." He played with a button on his sleeve. "But then I realized it was just a part of your plan, and that you had let him talk you into it. I wasn't mad that you had done it but…"
The third-year swallowed. My eyes fell involuntarily to his well-tanned hands, so big and strong. I remembered when he had reached out to touch my face.
"I guess it just felt like you were choosing Darren over me… Which is silly because I always knew you liked him best."
"I don't!"
Ian put a finger to my lips to quiet me. An explosion of warmth ran down my spine, making me lighter than the draught had ever made me feel. My sickness was instantly forgotten.
"You do, though." Ian reached down to brush a strand of hair that had fallen in front of my face. I held my breath.
"Someday, Ry, you are going to realize who Darren really is. He's a prince, and he's only going to break your heart."
"But I don't want a prince!" I protested, suddenly panicked.
"You say that but I see how you look at him."
"Well then you are a fool for not seeing how I look at you!"
Ian was silent. The third-year's eyes met mine and I could see the small flecks of gold that dotted his irises. He looked wistful.
"Alex, Alex, be quiet!" Ella's loud giggling voice carried across the dark passage.
My head jerked in the direction of my friend, and Ian abruptly stood. "Goodnight, Ryiah," he told me.
"Wait, Ian-"
He just shook his head sadly. Then the third-year disappeared into the dark hall, intent on his room.
Moments later I saw my twin and friend stumble into the light of a nearby flame, the two of them laughing with their eyes aglow. Neither of them had seen or heard me. I watched in silence as Ella attempted to pull away to enter her chamber two doors away. Alex grabbed her, chuckling, and kissed her like he had all the time in the world.
My jaw dropped and I let out an inadvertent gasp.
****
"What was that?"
"A mistake."
"No." I eyed her skeptically. "That did not look like a 'mistake.' That kiss lasted at least ten minutes."