Page 30 of Stormbringer (Tracthesian Academy #1)

“So,” Diana said, looking a bit crestfallen at the mention of Irishen, “you’ll be fine even if you take the whole week off of elemental classes. Or I bet Dr. Johanson would let you just observe if you went to the class.”

Wave blinked away the tears suddenly plaguing her eyes. “Thank you.” She meant it from the bottom of her heart. All three were helping her navigate the situation instead of making her life hell. Sure, it still could very well come to that, but for now, she had three friends.

She turned to look at Diana. “So, did they already tell you about the lava dildo I planned to plant in Risha’s ass?”

“N ot a word,” Wave said seriously.

Salis looked up. “What?”

Wave pulled out her chair, dropped the inflatable donut pillow on it, and gingerly sat down. Salis’s eyes rounded comically. She took her time settling down and eventually sighed. Jarred might have saved her day with the stupid pillow.

When she had hobbled into her first class, he had unceremoniously told her to sit in the front row, where he could keep an eye on her. She had been ready to strangle him, and even more so after spotting the donut pillow on her new assigned seat.

Except that she would have never been able to sit through the two-hour lecture otherwise. Not only was she sore, but the rest of her muscles were also protesting and turning stiff. Jarred had massaged her neck and shoulders after class.

Wave had tried to look around for Tulias, but she had avoided Wave’s gaze and slipped out of the room just as Marc magically appeared to carry her to her next class, princess style this time.

She was quickly developing an addiction to being carried by him. He was good at putting her down when she wanted to walk. It worked for both of them that she didn’t want to walk that much right now.

If there had been rumors before, Wave was sure that now they were spreading like wildfire.

“Okay, I have to ask.” Salis broke down in under a minute. Wave just shook her head and carefully stretched her arms.

“No, you don’t.”

“Yes, I do.”

“I’m sure you’ve already heard plenty from the rumor mill,” Wave argued back. The room started to fill, and she kept an eye out for Dr. Johanson. She needed to talk to her before she started teaching.

“What I heard is that you were trying to steal Prince Irishen Sleethill from Elena Flameward.” Salis snorted. “None of what I’ve heard makes any sense, and there are at least a hundred versions circling about.”

“Well, there you go then.” Wave huffed. “Nothing happened.”

“That’s good.” Salis nodded. “Because then I won’t need to tell you how absolutely ludicrous it is to get involved with those two.”

“You are absolutely right.”

“Wayla!” Salis groaned exasperatedly, clearly not believing her. “Elena’s grandmother is the reigning monarch of fire clans. Her mother is the next in line, but Elena is more powerful, so she claimed the heir apparent.”

“She’s more powerful than her mother?”

“Yes!” Salis whisper shouts.

Wave gave a small shrug. “Things aren’t going well for the fire clans then.”

For a moment, Salis just gulped in air like a fish on dry land. Gently, Wave reached over and pushed his open jaw closed. Just then, Elisa stomped her angelic ass into the class and looked Wave in askance before moving to sit next to Salis, not Wave.

“Salis, are you sure you want to be seen with her?” Elisa spoke loudly enough that Wave had no trouble hearing.

“Why wouldn’t I?” Salis asked, confused.

Wave leaned forward a bit and waved. “Hi, Elisa.” She gave Wave another stink eye and huffed before turning away.

“What’s going on?” Salis asked.

“I’d hazard a guess it’s one of those many versions you mentioned,” Wave said.

“I just don’t think Salis should associate himself with someone willing to steal someone’s betrothed while sleeping around with every willing male on campus,” Elisa snapped.

“Ah, the classic slut approach.” Wave nodded calmly.

“Wayla wouldn’t—”

“Don’t waste your breath, Salis.” Wave cut him off just as Dr. Johanson walked into the class. “Excuse me.”

She got up, slowly, and then hurried over as best she could without showing any limping. She would be caught dead before she limped in front of Elisa now.

“Dr. Johanson, may I have a word?”

The woman turned to face her, and the look in her eyes was cold. “Ms. Spinwell. What can I do for you?”

“I’m not sure if you’ve heard about the incident at the party,” Wave began hesitantly. Dr. Johanson looked even more reproving, but Wave pressed on. This was more important than her pride. Probably.

“I’d like to request a chance to observe today’s class without participating in the exercises.”

Dr. Johanson blinked a couple of times, some of the hostility bleeding from her face. “That’s all?”

“Yes, Dr. Johanson.”

“And why should I allow this?”

“I fear my control is not up to par, and I would not like to put my fellow students in danger.” Dr. Johanson frowned, and Wave hurried to continue.

“While I know you have everything well under control in the classroom, Dr. Johanson, I cannot say the same for myself. I’d hate for my slip-up to cause any undue harm. ”

Dr. Johanson looked thoughtful and tapped her finger on her lower lip as she thought. After a moment, she nodded. “Just to be clear, you are not looking to be excused from the class, just from the hands-on exercises?”

“That’s right, Dr. Johanson. I’d very much appreciate it if you’d allow me to stay in class to observe.”

Dr. Johanson sighed, and, for a second, she looked tired. “That is actually a very responsible thing to do, Wayla. I guess not all that I heard was the truth.”

Wave shrugged. “It rarely is.” Dr. Johanson was about to turn away, but Wave couldn’t stop herself from asking. “Is there any way I could get lessons on fire? I know it was taught the previous year, and I missed it.”

“Why fire?” Now Dr. Johanson looked suspicious again.

“I have a high affinity to water, as I’m sure you already know. I think I’m pretty decent with wind, we are studying electricity now, and Salis agreed to tutor me on earth. That leaves fire from the elements where I need to catch up.”

“Oh. Salis Glowfeather agreed to tutor you on earth elements?”

“Yes.”

“He was top of his class for it. Tell him to come talk to me if he needs help coming up with a curriculum. If he puts one together and submits to me, and if you manage to pass the required tests at the end of the semester, I’ll grant him extra credit.

We can see about fire lessons after that.

Learning one element at a time is challenging enough. ”

It wasn’t exactly what Wave wanted to hear, but at least Dr. Johanson wasn’t giving her the cold shoulder anymore. Besides, Salis would probably enjoy the extra credit. Provided that he could get her up to par in one semester.

“Thank you, Dr. Johanson.”

“Go take your seat. We’re about to begin.”