He grinned and stood, indicating that I should do the same. With an exhalation, I stood with my arms crossed over my chest.
Theo closed his eyes and pushed his arms out away from his body. As he did, all the tables and chairs in the room slid across and settled against the wall, leaving the middle of the room empty.
“Ready?” He grinned, turning his head to the side to assess me.
“Bring it.”
He shook his head and his lip ring glimmered in the changing light.
“The reason you need to learn hand-to-hand combat is in case one of The Iniquitous finds you in the day time. They usually don’t venture out during that time because they can’t use magic, but if they do, you need to be prepared.”
“But can’t I use my own magic?”
“You can, but in a moment of panic, you may not be able to center yourself enough to tap into it. But that’s something we’ll go over another time. Plus, the bastards would take you by surprise and most likely try to grab you.”
I nodded.
“Keep in mind,” Theo began, “that I am not trained in any area of fighting. But I do know how to fight dirty.” He looked me up and down and smirked.
Yeah, this whole friends thing was going to be easier said than done.
“The Iniquitous are usually skilled fighters, so we have to be more skilled.”
“Great,” I mumbled. “Not only are they evil powerful beings, they can also whoop my butt in a battle.”
He laughed. “That’s why I’m teaching you. After you master hand-to-hand combat, I’ll train you with a sword.”
I suppressed a laugh. “A sword?” I couldn’t picture myself holding a sword, let alone fighting with one.
“Yes, a sword.” He shook his head, fighting a smile. “It’s easier than you think.”
“All right, let’s get on with it. I know you’re going to whoop my butt so we might as well not delay the inevitable.”
His gray eyes sparkled. “Mara, are you asking me to spank you?”
My cheeks flooded red. “No way, bud. Keep your hands to yourself.” I held my hands out shooing him away.
“You got me all excited for nothing.” He grinned playfully.
I pulled an elastic band off my wrist and twisted my hair up and away from my face. I was dressed in a pair of yoga pants with mesh and a loose tank—perfect for what we were about to do.
“Ready?” he asked, but before I could answer, he was already charging me.
I ducked and rolled across the ground in the opposite direction before jumping cat-like onto Theo’s back.
“What the—” he exclaimed.
“Gotcha.” I wrapped my arms around his neck. I had the sudden urge to kiss him there but I shook off the thought as quickly as it came.
“You sure about that?”
He removed my arms from his neck and my legs from his waist, faster than I could react. I dropped to the floor and a very undignified “oomph” escaped my lips.
Theo turned and laughed at me sprawled across the floor. I tried to kick his foot but he danced away.
“I’d really prefer to be learning magic right now,” I grumbled as I stood.
“I’m sure you would.” He chuckled. “But for now, this is more important.”
“You already pummeled me in Beauregard’s class; I don’t see why you need to do it again.” I brought my hands up in tightly knotted fists.
“Strength of body transfers to strength of mind, which you need in order to control magic.”
I rolled my eyes and then immediately scolded myself. I would not roll my eyes like Theo.
Theo kicked, punched, and jabbed at my body until every inch of my skin was covered in bruises. I finally collapsed onto the floor, threw my arm over my eyes, and cried, “No more.”
He sat down beside me, drew his knees up to his chest, and draped his arms over his legs. His chest rose and fell heavily. “Okay,” he agreed easily—he must’ve been tired too or else he would’ve fought me on the topic.
I silently thanked God that he hadn’t argued with me. I didn’t think my poor body could take another minute.
“I’m hungry,” he finally said.
In response, my stomach rumbled loudly. I laughed and Theo smiled. “I think my stomach is agreeing with you.”
“Come on.” He hopped up and offered me a hand. “We missed dinner but they usually leave some snack food out.”
I stretched my stiff muscles. “Lead the way,” I told him.
He smirked and started down the spiral staircase. “Come on then, doll face.”
My lips quirked at the nickname as I descended the stairs. The hallway was dark and empty, eerily quiet.
I began to worry that there wouldn’t be any food but when we reached the dining hall I was pleasantly surprised. Just as Theo had promised there were snacks galore and, to my delight, hot chocolate. Even though I knew I needed to eat actual food I headed straight for the hot chocolate with a big smile plastered on my face.
I grabbed a white mug and poured the liquid in. The smell was heavenly, and I found myself closing my eyes as the scent of chocolate filled the air. I used the tongs to add two large marshmallows to the top, and just because I could, I added a dollop of whipped cream and sprinkled cocoa powder on top. Perfection.
I grabbed a chocolate chip muffin and headed toward a table. Theo joined me seconds later taking the seat across from me.
“You need food, not—” he motioned to the mug of steaming liquid “—that.” He wrinkled his nose.
“Hot chocolate is delicious.” I raised an eyebrow, daring him to contradict me, and took a sip. The liquid seared my tongue but it tasted so good I didn’t even mind. I took another sip. Mmm, definitely homemade.
Theo made a face of disgust. “Hot chocolate is gross.”
I gasped and nearly dropped the cup. “Are you crazy? Hot chocolate is the best.”
“It smells weird.”
I peeled the wrapper off the muffin and took a bite. Crumbs sprinkled the table, and I brushed them off onto the floor.
“Do you like anything?” I asked, raising a brow as I fought an amused smile. As long as I’d known Theo I hadn’t really heard him talk about anything he loved.
I mean, I knew he loved his sister, his cat, and apparently me, but I meant something not living. Like a sport, or a candy, a book, something.
He grinned. “I like you.”
“Ha-ha,” I chortled sarcastically.
Suddenly he leaned in closer. The look on his face was almost … predatory. He grinned like he knew exactly what I was thinking. “In fact, you taste pretty delicious.” He looked pointedly at my lips.
My eyes widened, and I flushed all the way to my toes.
He smirked and leaned back. Winking, he took a bite out of a peanut butter sandwich.
My mouth opened and closed but no words came out. Finally, I stuffed the last of the muffin in my mouth.
Theo wore a very self-satisfied smirk the rest of the evening.
Chapter 20
MY REGULAR LESSONS QUICKLY TOOK a back burner to everything Theo was teaching me. I wanted to know how he knew so much about fighting and magic, but he would never give me a straight answer.
But thanks to having classes all day and then working with Theo in the evenings, I was always exhausted and fell asleep before my head even hit the pillow.
I dropped my bag on the library table and turned to Theo, crossing my arms over my chest.
“What are we doing today?”
He grinned, even his eyes crinkled at the corners. “I think you’ll be happy.”
My face lit up. “You mean—”
He nodded. “Magic.”
I resisted the urge to jump around and clap my hands in a demented happy dance.
“Spells are complicated, and they’re only as strong as the enchanter behind them.”
“So, the more powerful you are, the more powerful your spells are?” I asked.
“Exactly.
” He smiled, pleased I’d gotten it right. After a pause, he chuckled and ran a hand through his wavy dark hair. “I’m actually a bit scared of what you might be capable of.”
“Afraid I might blow something up?”
“No.” His gray eyes sparkled. “I’m more afraid you might be better than me.”
I threw my head back and laughed. “You’re kidding, right?”
He quirked a brow. “You’re a Chosen One, Mara.”
“Yeah, except the whole Chosen One thing seems more like a pain in the butt than actually helpful. Everyone seems to want me dead.”
His smiled faltered. “I won’t ever let them get you. I promise.”
“Don’t make promises you might not be able to keep.” I smiled sadly.
I knew Theo wanted to believe he could always keep me safe, but the reality was he couldn’t. I didn’t know much about this world, and barely anything about The Iniquitous and what they were capable of, but I wasn’t dumb, either. Enchanters were afraid of them and that told me all I needed to know.
In three smooth strides, he was in front of me. He cupped my cheeks and leaned in close. His breath tickled my face making the tiny hairs there stand up straight. He stared fiercely into my eyes. Even if I had wanted to move I couldn’t have. “I will protect you with every last breath in my body.”
My breath came out raggedly at his words.
He rubbed his thumb over my cheek and leaned closer. I held my breath and his eyes flickered to my lips.
Suddenly, his muscles tightened and he clenched his jaw before pulling away. “You will be my downfall,” he whispered. He gave me a shy look. “No one has ever had the effect on me that you do.”
I didn’t know what to say so instead I tugged on my shirt and asked, “Magic? What do you want to teach me?”
He seemed relieved at my change in subject. “Some spells need to be said out loud while others can be uttered in your mind.”
“How do you know the difference?”
“Smaller spells can be said in your head … Like say you want one of the books—” He stared at the shelves and they began to shake. Suddenly, one of the books shot out straight at Theo. I ducked and he caught the book in his hand. “Now you try.”
I sighed. “Do I just think to myself, ‘hey, that book there, yeah you, come here?’ there’s not some spell or special something?”
“Just think of the book you want. It’s that simple.”
“Okay,” I said and turned to one of the walls of books. I picked one with a purple spine and gold lettering. I stared at it, narrowing my eyes. I held out my hand. Come here.
The shelf shook.
Theo grinned like a proud coach. “That’s it,” he encouraged.
Come here.
The book raised a little off the shelf.
Come here! The whole wall was now shaking and suddenly all the books along the wall shot straight toward me.
Theo crashed into me and rolled us under one of the tables.
I could hear the various loud thunks as the books hit the table and floor surrounding us. Finally, they stopped.
I looked at Theo and let out a breathless laugh. “Death by raining books.”
He laughed too. “Ah, doll face, you always make things so interesting.”
“I try.”
We climbed out from underneath the desk to assess the destruction.
“Geez, remind me to never make you mad.” He scratched at the back of his head as he looked at the mess.
Hundreds of books littered the ground leaving no room to even walk. Thankfully, only the one wall had been affected. If I had knocked all of them off we would’ve been swimming in books and picking them up for days.
Theo put his hands on his hips and let out a gust of air. It sent the dark hair covering his forehead swirling like it was caught in the wind.
“We have to clean this up.”
“I think that’s pretty obvious.” I was already bent down stacking books.
“We won’t have time to do anything else today—” he bent down beside me “—and this is going to taking forever.”
“Why don’t you just magic them on up?” I swished my hand.
“I can magic them all up but then they won’t be in alphabetical order.”
I stopped what I was doing, a large book in my hand, and said, “You have to be kidding me.”
“This is a library,” he gasped, scandalized.
“But … but … We’re the only ones who use it.”
“They have to be in alphabetical order. If they’re not, how do you ever expect me to find something to read?”
I snorted and went back to making another stack. “You? Reading?”
He seemed affronted. “I like to read.”
“What do you read?” I challenged.
“Anything and everything. I even have a blog.”
“You’re so full of it.”
“You know how you girls have loads of book boyfriends? Well, I have my book girlfriends.”
I snorted.
“Laugh all you want but a real man likes to read.”
An image of Theo relaxing in a leather chair in front of a fireplace with a book in hand assaulted my mind. I could picture him with dark-framed glasses and a small smile playing on his lips as he read a particularly interesting part. His hand would flick up and push his dark hair from—
What the hell was I thinking?
I shook my head and turned to find Theo staring at me.
“Having a fantasy, Mara?”
I blushed scarlet, pretty sure somehow he had known exactly what I was thinking thanks to his freaky protector powers.
It was after midnight when we finally had all the books put away. I was ready to collapse and my arms were aching from lifting so many heavy books.
Theo’s keen eye inspected the books. He stood with his hands on his hips appraising the shelves. “I think we’ve got them all put back where they need to go.”
“Thank God.” I sank into one of the chairs. I crossed my arms on the table and rested my head on top. Immediately, my eyes began to close.
“Don’t fall asleep there, doll face. That’s what your bed is for.”
“I can’t move,” I mumbled.
He came over and shook my shoulder.
“Leave me alone,” I growled at him and sent out a zap to shock him away.
He hissed and waved his hand through the air to lessen the sting. “That wasn’t necessary.”
“Apparently, it was.”
“Come on, you have to go to your room.”
“The table is comfortable.”
He snorted. “Doubtful.”
Before I knew what was happening I was lifted from the chair. My stomach dropped out from under me from the sudden change.
“Put me down,” I demanded and smacked his chest.
He smiled, completely unbothered. “I’ll put you down in a bed.” His lips quirked with amusement at his own words.
My eyes widened. “You’re disgusting.”
“No, Mara, I think you’re the disgusting one for finding something suggestive in my simple statement.”
“I swear,” I huffed, “you should come with a warning label.”
He started down the steps. “And what would it say?”
“Cocky, arrogant, pig-headed, egotistical. Should I continue?”
“No, I think you’ve got it covered.” He laughed.
“Aren’t you sleepy?” I asked. His gray eyes were bright and alert as if he’d only woken up while I’m sure I looked like a hot mess.
“Yeah.” He shrugged, which jostled me up and down in his arms.
“You don’t look like it,” I snapped.
“I guess I’m lucky like that.” His face darkened and he became serious. “Actually, it’s something protectors can do. We can go without food, water, and sleep when we need to. Not for that long, but certainly longer than what’s normal.”
“Interesting,” I murmured as we reached my
room. Without setting me down, he swung the door open. I felt like a bride being carried over the threshold.
Although, I was definitely not his bride.
He laid me gently on the bed. Nigel meowed and came over for both of us to pet him before he plopped down and began snoozing once more.
Theo met my gaze and murmured, “Goodnight, beautiful,” before bending down and placing the most delicate kiss on my forehead. Before I could begin to analyze the sweet gesture and the fact he called me beautiful, I was asleep.
Chapter 21
YOU LOOK EXHAUSTED,” WINSTON NOTED at breakfast.
I yawned and went to use my hand to stifle it but a shot of pain stabbed up my arm and had me wincing.
Stupid, heavy, books.
“It was a late night,” I supplied.
Winston looked up at Theo across the table. His brown eyes narrowed and he turned back to me. “What were you doing?” His tone was slightly accusatory.
“Nothing important.” I waved my hand and dismissed his words.
Winston huffed and ran his fingers through his hair. With a sigh, he picked up his plate and muttered, “I’ll see you later,” before disappearing out of the dining hall.
“What did I do?” I asked Adelaide.
She rolled her eyes. “You’re so naïve, Mara, that it’s downright irritating.”
My eyes widened. “What?”
She ripped apart a piece of toast. “You two have been spending an awful lot of time together … alone,” she added for good measure, nodding toward her brother. “Winston would be stupid if he hadn’t noticed. And I would think you’d have the decency to break up with the poor guy before you started dating my brother.”
I looked at Theo and back at Adelaide before I snorted in disbelief at the serious look on her face. “You’re mad because you think we’re dating—” I waggled my finger back and forth between me and Theo “—and I didn’t tell you?”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Maybe.”
“Ade. We’re not dating.”
“Then what are you two sneaking off and doing?” she accused, pursing her lips.
Theo growled and hit the table with his hand. My plate rose up and clattered from the force of it. “Damn it, Adelaide! Mind your own fucking business!”
Enchant (The Enchanted Book 1) Page 19
