If Calhoun wished it, he could refuse the offer of the Aquiline Quarter.
From the very beginning, they had no intention to accept her. They had been prepared to cast her aside, to deliver her into the hands of so lowly beast.
The humiliation she had suffered still festered within him. More than once, he had entertained the thought of bringing the Sacred Order to ruin, of reducing its hallowed halls into ash and cinder. Yet, he had given his uncle his words, to honor his na and not ruin his reputation.
That was the only reason he stayed his hands and did not burn them where they stood for daring to make his human feel lesser when she was anything but.
And now, all at once, they had chosen to acknowledge her as a water affinity user.
He had no intention of handing her over rely because the Elders find themselves uncomfortable.
Let them be uncomfortable, for all he cared. But—
His gaze shifted toward Kyva, who seed just as contemplative as he was, weighing the woman’s offer in silence. He already knew from the start that she wanted to join the others.
Truthfully, he had his own reasons for choosing the Astral Quarter.
There, she would remain under his watch, and he could spend as much ti with her as he wished, free from the interruption of ddleso disciples. For example, that earthling who continues to see her every now and then.
He was the master.
He could do as he pleased.
And she would not object to his decision.
But at the sa ti....
"What do you think?" He turned to Kyva, despite the selfish desire that still lingered within him. "Would you rather join the Aquiline Quarter?"
Kyva blinked, utterly caught off guard.
Was he truly seeking her opinion on the matter?
Even Lady Mia looked montarily taken aback. As Master, he had no need to seek the thoughts of a disciple. A disciple was expected to accept whatever path their master chose for them,for it was presud that the Master knew what was best.
Kyva lowered her head onto another respectful bow.
"Whatever choice you make, I shall obey," she said softly. "But... if I may speak freely, Master Caelion, then I would prefer the Aquiline Quarter."
Kyva did not deny that Lady Mia’s words held true. To be thrust into the Astral Quarter on the very first day would be far too much. It’s like being promoted without having the evidence to prove why.
She scarcely understood the foundation of affinity and cultivation as they were, let alone the mysteries of awakening a rarer, higher attribute.
"I do not an to question your judgnt," she added softly. "But if I deserve to be among those of the Astral Quarter, then I wish to prove myself worthy of it first. So... perhaps it would be best if I begin at the Aquiline Quarter."
Kyva prayed he would not mistake her words for defiance. The very last thing she desired was to earn the displeasure of her master.However, she was also fine with his decision. But it would have been nice to train with Liora and Selene.
anwhile, Calhoun found himself more irritated by the maddening formality with which she spoke to him than by her answer itself.
Would she choose this form over Snowpuff? A small unreasonable part of him was desperate to know. Or perhaps it was simply this accursed mask he wore that stood between them.
No offense to his uncle.
Lady Mia allowed herself a faint smile before speaking once more.
"Then take what ti you need to reconsider," she said. "We shall be at the Aquiline Quarter, awaiting your final decision. Until then, we will leave you to rest."
She dipped into one final bow before turning gracefully and departing.
Once they had taken their leave using the archway, Lady Mia found that she could not entirely set aside her suspicions.
"My Lady," one of the attendants said softly as they walked the corridor, "it would seem your plan to draw closer to the Fox Lord may prove more difficult than we had hoped."
The second attendant inclined her head in agreent.
"Did you see the way he looked at her?" she whispered. "Isn’t it strange? He made her his personal disciple without thinking twice about it. I heard the girl was once a slave and stumbled into the trial by chance. Do you think she may have offered herself to him in exchange for his favor?"
"Do not speak such foolishness in my presence,"Lady Mia turned sharply toward her attendant, forcing the maiden to bristle back in fear. "Have you lost all sense? Why would a man of such standing lower himself for so unremarkable human? That is unlike them."
She lifted her chin, smoothing the folds of her sleeve with asured grace.
"Lord Caelion had the entire hall completely swept away by his looks today. Even he had exceeded my expectations. But he is a tough one to crack. If he indeed has taken interest in his disciple, then we need only ensure that the girl stands with, and not against us. You must treat her like she actually belongs with one of us."
Her gaze drifted ahead, thoughtful, as she took a couple steps forward.
"That is the only reason I ca all this way. If I can win the disciple’s little trust, considering her ill reputation within the Sacred Order, then perhaps she may aid in drawing closer to the Fox Lord. She will need all the help she can get to stay afloat, and in return, she will help get closer to her master."
The two attendants exchanged glances before nodding, suddenly finding their lady’s reasoning far wiser than their own.
"You are right, My Lady," one of them replied quickly. "By tomorrow morning, they are certain to join the Aquiline Quarter. Then you, and Master Caelion shall see one another often. You are both masters with disciples beneath your care. It would be easy for a bond to grow between you two."
At last, Lady Mia’s lips curved into a satisfied smile.
"Now that," she said softly. "Is far more pleasing to hear."
After all, Lady Mia was not so naless maiden foolishly chasing after an impossible dream.
She was the eldest daughter of the Azure Dragon Clan, born of one of the oldest and revered bloodlines among the beast races. From the mont she had been born, she had been raised to carry herself with grace, dignity and refinent befitting her station.
Her beauty was praised wherever she went, her na spoken with admiration in every noble court and every great household.
And Lord Caelion...
He too was no ordinary beast.
He was a master newly chosen to join the circle, leader to a house whose influence stretched across the Sacred Order and beyond. This had been Lady Mia’s first ti beholding him, and not only was he feared, powerful and respected, he.. was impossibly beautiful too, even behind the solemn mask he wore.
That mask, she heard, had been bestowed upon him by the Emperor himself.
In truth, there could be no more fitting match.
Among the beast clans, such things mattered. Lineage. Prestige. Reputation. One’s standing in the world.
A union between the Fox Lord and the daughter of the Azure Dragon Clan would be spoken of with approval by every noble household.
Little did Mia know that the man she so admired was far more than the heir to a powerful house.
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