Chapter 137 Chapter 137: The New Era

Chapter 137 Chapter 137: The New Era
Returning to the academy feels like going back home.
It brings a little bit of the normalcy I was desperately craving after everything that happened.
It also makes my days completely packed from six in the morning until almost midnight.
I barely have time to eat or sleep, having added too many extra classes in my schedule to catch up with what I lost while being away.
My training classes with Amser are not over either. She’s been assigned as my private tutor, helping me improve as a siren and learn more about my origins.
Being able to see my friends and Zadok, though, even if quickly between classes and occasionally during the weekends, makes it all feel less draining.
For the first few weeks, I stay inside the school, not returning to the palace to see my grandfather. 
Zadok’s been the one to update me on how things are going in the pursuit of Prince Rhys. However, so far, the kingdom’s intelligence hasn’t discovered anything about his whereabouts. It’s like the man simply vanished.
I don’t know how to feel about it. Some days, I’m convinced his betrayal has nothing to do with me. That he must have had another ulterior motive to turn his back on his family, his kingdom, and his future.
On other days, though, it is hard to make sense of it all. I can’t think of a good reason for him to throw it all away because he simply assumed I’d be a liability in the future.
He never even talked to me. How could he make such a stupid decision like that?
“Overthinking again?” Zadok’s voice pulls me out of my reverie.
I stare up from my Academy Law & Ethics paper that I’ve been trying to write for the past thirty minutes without success, and find Zadok staring down at me.
I found an empty spot by the garden, under a tree, and since the weather is perfect today, I decided to stay here instead of being trapped inside a library.
“How did you know I was here?” 
I watch as he takes a seat beside me and places a kiss on my forehead. 
“Hans told me you were outside,” he explains, leaning against the trunk of the tree. “Then I found you, but you seemed to be miles away. What’s going on?”
He studies me carefully as if searching for something on my face.
I shake my head, putting aside the paper, knowing I won’t be able to get anywhere with it today. My head is simply too consumed with other things, and I barely had any sleep last night.
“I was just thinking about Prince Rhys.” 
There’s no need to lie to him. Zadok knows I’ve been obsessed with this since I left the castle. And even though he keeps saying there’s nothing for me to worry about, I can’t believe him completely. No matter how hard I want to.
“Right…” he trails off. There’s no judgment in his voice, nor does he sound tired of this subject. He simply looks at me with his beautiful dark eyes, uncertain of what else to say to reassure me.
“I know you’re worried,” he tries again anyway. “But there’s nothing he can do to you from whatever hole he’s hidden in. You handled creatures that are way more dangerous than him. You’re in one of the safest places in Haldoria, and the entire army is after him. You need to let it go, Hettie.”
His words are kind and soothing, and it brings some sort of comfort to my heart.
He’s right, and I know it. I’m having a hard time shrugging it off, but I truly need to focus on my future now.
I sigh, shifting slightly to face him. “I’m sorry. I promise I’ll try harder.”
Zadok smiles back, pulling me toward him and wrapping his arms around me. I lay my head on his chest, enjoying the peaceful sound of his heart beating.
“Do you want to hear some good news?” he offers, his tone more cheerful now.
I immediately jolt up, my eyes wide with expectation. 
“Of course I do,” I answer, unable to hold my anticipation.
“Well,” he begins, a grin curling his lips. “I went to see my father yesterday and bumped into the king on my way out. He asked if we could talk.”
I crease my brows. “About what?”
“He offered me a job. Here, at the academy. He knows I’m graduating this year, but he still wants someone he can trust to keep an eye on you next year,” Zadok explains. “He didn’t want to put a bodyguard on your tail, knowing you would never agree to it, so he offered me a position as an academy guard.”
My jaw drops as I take in his words. 
“So, that’d mean we’d see each other every day?” I ask.
This was the only thing I was dreading about next year. Knowing I’d only be able to see Zadok on my weekends off was frustrating and heartbreaking. 
But now everything has changed.
Zadok nods, his grin widening.
“You said yes, right?” I press, sitting on my ankles.
He smiles at me, causing my heart to race in my chest. “Of course I did. I couldn’t miss the opportunity to be close to you, could I?”
I throw myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck. The excitement flooding through my veins is too much for me to handle.
“I can’t believe this!” I squeak, tightening my embrace.
Zadok hugs me back, planting a kiss on the curve of my neck before pulling away slightly to look me in the eye.
“There’s something else,” he adds.
“What?” 
“I know you’re supposed to spend the weekends at the palace, but I was hoping you’d also come to stay at my new secret spot every once in a while.”
My hand flies to my mouth in disbelief. I was not expecting so many surprises today. 
“You have a new secret spot? What about your cabin?”
Zadok shakes his head. “It wasn’t really that secret anymore, right? So, I offered it to the king as a secret base for the army. I got another cabin elsewhere.”
I have too many questions, too many plans popping in my head, and too much excitement running through my body.
But all I can manage is to lean forward and kiss him. 
After everything, all the fear, all the discoveries, all the obstacles we faced this year, I can’t believe we found a solution to stay close to each other next year.
Sure, my new era is only getting started. There’s so much I’m yet to learn and discover about myself and the world.
But unlike the eager girl I was at the beginning of the year, back in Brammere, I’m no longer desperate to prove myself.
I’m excited to live one day at a time. To learn how to improve my siren hybrid’s abilities. To be a good student. To become a better person.
But more than anything, I’m happy that I get to share it all with people who love me and cheer for me.
My found family.