Kyle's head jerked up at the voice, his tired eyes struggling to focus for a second. When they did, his stomach dropped.
Anastasia D'Argent stood over him, arms crossed. Her crimson eyes scanning the mountain of books surrounding him.
The crown princess. His new assistant professor. The woman who had wiped the floor with him in training just days ago.
For a brief, panicked moment. Kyle considered lying. But the evidence was all around him.
Dozens of open books on weapons, ancient artifacts, magical bonds. There was no hiding what he'd been doing.
"I was just... doing some research," he said, rubbing his sore eyes. His voice came out rough from hours of silence.
Anastasia raised one perfect eyebrow. "Research?" She nudged a stack of books with her boot.
"'Theories of Arcane Weapon Bonding'? 'Legends of Living Steel'?" Her gaze sharpened as it landed on the untitled book still in his lap.
"You've been at this awhile."
