Chapter 42
1131 Words
Matheo stared at the girl shifter sitting between Mira's bed and then his. She's been sitting there since he woke up. Not to mention, burying her nose on the thick book with almost worn-out leather.
Mattheo averted his gaze on his friend and her familiar laying on a separate bed beside her. Mira and her familiar are still sleeping. Not showing any other signs of waking up. It's the third day. Freddy and the others are not here. Only the four of them. Even Mira's parents are not in the moment.
"She'll wake up soon." The shifter got stunned at the moment but immediately turned his back against them. He closed his eyes and pretend that he's dead; not moving any single muscle. That's better than meeting that sharp gaze. He can still feel the impact of the first that makes him lightheaded.
'If I move a muscle, that book will be the end of me. Dang. I feel like my whole life flashed before my eyes. I'm not afraid to die but at least not here and not by her hands.'
"Stop doing that dramaturgy of yours. I know that you're awake. Go and eat breakfast at the grand cafeteria." She added. There's no hint of anger or hostility in her voice, just a pure tone unlike what Mattheo used to hear. He slowly turned to her; mentally and physically preparing myself if a book will hit him.
"I don't have an appetite to eat, Salem."
"Well, don't blame me if Mrs. Chivalry scolded you for that." Salem flipped another page. He stared at her. The confusion probably devours his mind at this moment. A part of his mind telling him that shouldn't have to waste it by looking at her as if he's a creep.
"Salem.."
"About what happened while we're in a training." The shifter's hand balled into a fist. Mattheo closed his eyes and gathered himself altogether.
'I should swallow the pride I have.'
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean it!" Salem closed the book in her hand then placed it in the drawer behind her. She judgingly watched Mattheo chase his breath. However, that judgment doesn't last long after she tapped her fingers against her knee. The boy quickly looked away, knowing that his dignity got worn away.
'I sounded and look like a girl here.'
"Why his face is so red?" Zachary asked. He's standing at the doorway, carrying a black bag on his shoulder while their other friends curiously look at them as they entered the room. Mattheo laid back to his bed without a word and covered himself with a blanket.
"It seems like he has a fever or something." Julius grins before sitting on the lion shifter's bed. Zachary holds Mira's hand then glanced at him with utter confusion.
"Sure he is." Kellion agreed. His gaze darted at the seat where Salem is sitting earlier; it's now empty and there's no trace existing inside of the four walls. Her brother sits on her unwrinkled bed, "Where's Salem anyway? I haven't seen her in days."
"Me either," Freddy commented.
"I don't see her." Julius tapped Mattheo's arm, "Maybe Matt did. Have you seen her?"
"She's used to sitting on the chair between Mira and her familiar when I woke up," Mattheo replied, motionlessly, back remaining facing their direction.
"She's with me when we go out." Zachary retorted.
"Man, who's that?"
"Dude, Salem is not around. Who's the Salem that you're talking about?"
"Who's Salem?"
"Our bird shifter friend, Aldreon," Freddy replied. He's sitting on his bed while feet into the pendulous state, "Kellion's little sister." Aldreon faced Kellion's direction before averting his gaze back at Freddy.
"Bird shifters still exist?"
"For some circumstances, yes. Even we all know flying animal shifters disappeared right after the primordial war." Julius explains then pulled Mattheo's blanket in full force. He tossed it in Kellion's direction, earning a death glare from Kellion after it hit his head.
"I'll go take my snack at my dorm, want to come?" Freddy got to his feet, taking their attention. Julius and Kellion go after him outside. Mattheo grunted and rise on his bed involuntarily.
Silence surge over the entire four walls. Zachary held Mira's warm, delicate, yet listless hand then forced a smile before caressing his thumb on the back of her palm. Longing for her to open her eyes at the very moment.
"Your wife?" Aldreon gently sits on the vacant bed behind him.
"Haha. Don't be silly, of course not. Where did you get that idea?" Zachary smiled, taking the edge off the atmosphere.
"Sorry for setting down my curiosity on the girl behind you but it appears that you got fond of her."
"Her name is Mira. She got severely injured since we got involved in some incident." Zachary paused after a loud cry of a flying griffin coming from outside. Aldreon's blood runs cold by the sudden screech. He swiftly grabbed his knife then put himself into a fighting stance.
"You should get hold of yourself." Zachary spoke up, "Like what I said, I don't intend any harm, Aldreon. Those are griffins, the university kept them." Aldreon narrowed his eyes at him before putting down his knife.
"The University does?"
"You'll get used to it since the six universities headmasters agreed to stay here for a while."
"So you wanted to meet Beaumont, right?"
"Yes. On my way to Northern Moutain, I ran into an old man living in a small hut in the forest. He told me that I should look for Beaumont and Midari. I should also be asked for Lancelot. They said to help me. The old man also told me something to recognize them right away. Beaumont and Midari are the only shifters with eyes that mirrored the stars."
Zachary crossed his legs while his right hand placed under his chin, wondering who's the man seemingly put him and the sibling in the picture. However, Zachary shrugged off the thought at the moment, he also offered his hand.
"Let's cut the chase, I'm Zachary Johannes Beaumont Levine."
"You must be kidding." Aldreon's lost his laugh soon as Zachary's eyes glint gold.
On the other hand, the dazzling chandelier's light leaps through Mira's sight. She remained to observe her surrounding while striving to let undisputed things register on her mind. Mira moved her finger to prove that her surrounding is not surreal anymore.
"Zach?" Mira called the first person that came upon her mind in a hoarse voice. Zachary got stunned for a second before veering his attention at her. She lifted her used to be wilted hand to touch his face before wrapping her arms around him.
"You crazy crown prince. I thought I won't see you again."
"I'm here. It's alright now."
- Writer
