Chapter 22
943 Words
Ray Flaming’s POV
From the Astronomical Tower, an astonishing view of the entire campus unfolded beneath him. But that was not the real secret of this place. Only the chosen few knew what lay hidden within these walls.
Every student girl, including the daughter of the Supreme, dreamed of standing here with him, of stealing even a single kiss she could remember for the rest of her life.
And yet now it was him — Ray Flaming, the heir of the House of Fire, the most gifted magician of the last hundred years standing here… imagining how his lips would finally meet hers in a burning kiss.
That girl had caught his attention from the first moment he saw her.
The vile stunt Eleanor had pulled during the first-year initiation had not broken her. On the contrary, it had ignited something wild inside her. That fire in her eyes was impossible to miss. And the way she had spoken to the false Aquaris — telling him he would regret ever meeting her — Ray could replay that moment endlessly in his mind.
She pulled him in like a magnet. Her inner energy matched his own.
When he caught her in the library yesterday, he had been stunned by how beautiful she was. Thick, dark hair, ocean-blue eyes, lips as warm and alive as flame itself. She was unlike anyone else.
She was his.
If it hadn’t been for her growling stomach, he would have kissed her right there — pressed her against those ancient bookshelves without hesitation.
Ray smiled slightly at the memory. A spark of fire ran through every cell of his body.
He glanced at the clock on the tower. Three ten.
She was late.
He did not like waiting. Patience was never his strongest virtue. But in her case… he was willing to wait.
Footsteps echoed on the stairs.
Finally.
He straightened, adopting the posture of a victor. Inside, he was almost childishly pleased, but outwardly, he intended to make her pay for making him wait.
“You’re late,” he said sharply, still facing the window.
“You are waiting for someone, Ray?” came a familiar voice instead.
Eleanor.
The daughter of the Supreme Dragon from the House of Earth.
What the hell was she doing here? This was not the right moment. If she saw Ariel, it would complicate everything.
Eleanor was insufferable — cruel, calculating, vindictive. Ray despised people like her. And sometimes, he even despised himself for being forced to play along with her games.
He would never forgive himself for failing to help Sara in time. That death was on him as much as it was on Eleanor.
“Yes,” he said coldly. “But not you, Nora.”
He knew she hated that name.
“How rude, Ray,” she said, pouting. “I need to talk to you. A private matter.”
“What private matter could you possibly have with me?”
She stepped closer.
“You know my father is choosing my husband.”
“Everyone knows that.”
“He thinks Noah is the best match for me. But after everything between us… I would prefer you.”
Ray laughed straight to her face .
“Don’t make things up, Nora. There was nothing between us. At least nothing that matters to me.”
“Don’t be cruel,” she whispered. “I gave you my honor… my dignity.”
“You shouldn’t have,” he said flatly. “I told you back then. You just didn’t listen.”
“You don’t get to decide for me!”
“You have nothing to offer me. This alliance doesn’t interest me. Accept it.”
“You don’t want the House of Earth on your side during the selection? Don’t you want to become the Supreme?”
“I do. But I won’t marry you for it. You’re overestimating your value to me, Eleanor.”
Her voice broke slightly.
“Then what do you want, Ray?”
He leaned closer, brushing a strand of chestnut hair behind her ear.
“I want you to stop talking and doing stupid things. I want you to stop noticing me and everything I do. Do you understand?”
“You’ll regret this!” she screamed. “I swear you will regret this!”
“Have a good day, Nora,” he said, walking away.
Fire burned inside him. He knew she would seek revenge.
But he didn’t care.
He was not anyone’s pawn.
He was the most powerful fire mage of this century. And in three months, he would become the Supreme Dragon.
And then she would regret everything.
He should focus on the Selection.
Yesterday, that Water girl had distracted him more than she should have.
He went to the library.
He had gone there to gather information, not to lose his focus again.
At the entrance he asked system, almost mechanically:
“Is anyone in the library?”
“Yes. Sector Six,” came the answer.
He didn’t need to ask who it was.
He already knew.
And without realizing it, his steps carried him there again.
Between Sector Six and Seven.
His heart beat differently now. Strange. Unfamiliar.
Slowing his silent steps, he saw her.
She was reading, completely absorbed. So focused it looked like nothing, not even an explosion could break her attention.
He could have stood there for hours.
But then she did something small, almost nothing.
She lightly bit her lower lip and leaned back into the couch, eyes closed for a brief moment.
That was enough.
He walked over and sat down beside her without hesitation.
- Writer
