The air in the Library of Ravenholm was stale.
Elias sat at the darkest side of the east corner, hidden behind a mountain of leather-bound botanical journals.
The information Dr. Vane had dropped left him restless. He'd barely gotten any sleep last night and had been here since sunrise.
He was searching for records. Specifically, anything about his family. Past records, death certificates, the family history, anything at all.
His fingers traced the spines of the academy's historical archives.
If his family was truly a threat to the Crown's ego because of their ability related to to stabilize any plant or magic, then their fall really wasn't an accident. He'd had his suspicions since before the professor had told him and now it has been confirmed.
"Nothing." he whispered, his voice disappearing into the high stone ceiling.
Some pages for the death record of five years ago were missing. Not just damaged—scrubbed. The pages between the Spring Equinox and the Winter Harvest had been neatly removed, leaving only the jagged, white scars of parchment behind.
Elias felt a cold shiver crawl down his spine. Vane was right. He wasn't just a ghost; he was a survivor of a crime he didn't even know had been committed.
He closed the ledger with a dull thud. His right palm flared with that familiar, golden itch. It was a reminder that he was currently tethered to the very family that might have ordered his parents' deaths.
He turned and left the library for his first class.
By noon, the dining hall was a buzz activity.
Elias found Mina at their usual table near the back. She was already halfway through a bowl of stew, her eyes glued to the front cover of the school's gossip magazine.
"You look like you haven't slept in three days." Mina said looking up and sliding a tray toward him.
"Finally got a boyfriend to date?"
He took a seat, trying to ignore the whispers from the next table.
"Why'd you assume if I'm dating someone it will be a boy?" Elias asked as he took the tray.
"Can you approach a girl? No girl will approach you for obvious reasons. But don't worry you'll never lose me."
Right.
"What's the news? You look like you're about to burst." Elias asked changing the topic.
Mina leaned across the table, her voice dropping. "The school is in a frenzy. Did you hear the trumpets? The peace and quiet of Ravenholm is officially dead."
Elias paused with his spoon of soup halfway to his mouth. "Why?"
"The Second Prince," Mina hissed. "Zayne Thalorin has arrived. He wasn't supposed to be here until the Mid-Winter Gala, but apparently, he requested an early transfer to 'oversee the efficiency of the Academy.' Or, you know, to breathe down Cassian's neck."
Elias paused.
While Cassian was known for his cold, lethal perfection, Zayne was the darling of the court—charming, brilliant, and famously known for always challenging the crown prince.
"He's the second prince, but people treat him like the first." Mina joked grimly.
"And he doesn't do anything without a reason. With Cassian being so isolated lately, the rumors are that Zayne is here to prove he's the more 'efficient' choice for the throne."
"I don't care about royal politics." Elias muttered.
"Eli, listen," Mina said, grabbing his hand. "Zayne's inner circle were the ones looking at you yesterday. He formed an inner circle during the summer break, when he discovered Prince Cassian would be resuming. They saw the White Bloom. He must have heard of how you 'helped' Cassian's magic. You gave him the credit putting him in the spotlight. If Zayne thinks you're a tool that can help Cassian, he might try to recruit you. Or if that doesn't work… look, Elias. I don't want you caught in their crossfire."
"I won't. I'll stay far from both of them from now on." He hated that he had to lie to her but right now there was no other choice.
"So how's Bianca?" He changed the topic.
"Omg! She gave birth over the summer. Ten little brown puppies. I wanted you to see them but I guess you were really busy."
"I promise I'll come over for the mid term."
The rest of lunch passed in a blur of puppy names and how sweet puppy food was.
Mina waved goodbye saying she had to reply a letter from her mother before her next class.
Elias finished his up and headed towards his dorm. He was done with his classes for the day. As a plant mage he really didn't much classes. No algorithm for him. All he needed now was proper sleep to prepare himself for his first session with the crown prince this night. He wondered if the prince would show up at all.
Thud.
Elias stumbled back.
"Oh, my apologies," said a smooth voice. "I wasn't looking where I was going. Are you quite alright?"
Elias looked up and felt the air vanish from his lungs.
Standing before him was a young man who looked like a sunnier, more vibrant version of Cassian. His hair white hair was brighter and shorter than Cassian's, and his eyes were blood-red like Cassian's.
The features possessed by a person with royal blood.
Zayne.
"I... I'm sorry, Your Highness," Elias stammered, dropping his head.
"Clearly." Zayne said. He didn't move away. Instead, he stepped closer, entering Elias's personal space. He tilted his head, scanning Elias with a terrifying intensity. "You must be the Thornbloom boy." He said looking at his hair color.
Elias felt a cold sweat break out.
Zayne laughed, the sound bright. He reached out, his fingers grazing the fraying silk of Elias's sleeve.
"You are very pretty. Prettier than I was told."
Elias felt his faced flush traitorously.
"You have a very... stabilizing presence, Elias. I find I have a sudden interest in... botany."
Zayne leaned in, his voice dropping so only Elias could hear.
"I've heard about your family's history. A bloodline that can curb any plant and magic in the world. I'd like to get to know you better, Elias. Not as a gardener, but as a mage. The Thalorin family is… complicated. It helps to have friends who aren't... so cold. I'd invite you for tea sometime. Please don't say no because I can't bloom a White Transcendence."
Elias felt his heart skip a beat for reasons that definitely wasn't romantic.
Zayne patted Elias's shoulder and strode away, his entourage following like sharks.
Elias reached his dorm and locked the door.
He had a bad feeling about this night.