Misha the Beast Tamer.
Chapter 20

My heart felt heavy as I waved goodbye to Stefan. I still had a little over a week left until classes returned.

Since locking eyes with Simon at the dining hall I was too scared to bathe alone, walk the halls alone, or do anything by myself. I mostly relied on Aqila to accompany me when she couldn't or was doing something else, I remained in the room. Most of all I dreaded returning to tracking class, my favourite subject. I had Aqila with me, but she couldn't protect me from my thoughts, the incident playing over and over in my mind and my body's reaction to those images; the sweating, uncontrollable shaking, my pounding heart, and the inability to breathe. No-one could help me with that, I hoped that time would become my saviour, eventually.

Before I could blink, the halls filled with student's, classes would resume tomorrow. I was excited and nervous. I didn't realise how much I actually enjoyed attending classes, I was already starting to miss them three days into the two week break.

I was doing some revision for the for tomorrow, when my mind wandered back to the night that Aqila tried to kiss me and also revealed her hidden feelings for me. I was surprised to replace that she went straight back to acting how she was before that night the very next morning. She acted as if nothing had happened between us. She had returned to being annoyed by my existence, but also being there when I needed her.

I heard her muttering and writing behind the closed curtain seperating our beds and room. It seemed she was also doing revision for her classes tomorrow. I wanted to rip open the curtain and ask her if she remembered what happened that night and was what she said was the true. I reached for the curtain, but I chickened out. What if she didn't remember? What If she did remember, but wanted to forget? What if she got mad or embarrassed by me asking her about it? I sighed and pulled my hand away from the curtain. Maybe my questions were better left unanswered.

Afterall, Zac was waiting for me and I him. But I couldn't help thinking of the possibilities that could happen between myself and Aqila if she did confess and act on her true feelings towards me.

I shook my head, trying to shake those thoughts from my mind. By that afternoon, I couldn't even remember what I had revised that morning. My mind kept wandering, not only to thoughts of Aqila, but of Erik and Simon. How was I going to handle being in the same room as Simon?

Tracking class was the last for the day, I was excited to return, but also dreaded seeing Simon. I took my seat, Aqila sat beside me. I waited anxiously and tried to prepare myself for seeing Simon. My anxiety grew with every minute that drew closer to facing my fear.

Finally, Erik arrived and took his position behind the desk. Still, no sign of Simon. The class began, soon half an hour had passed, no Simon. I started to relax and enjoy the class. When the class had finished Erik requested me to stay back for a quick chat. Aqila was reluctant to leave, she stood by the door and listened in. Erik, once again rolled his eyes at Aqila being over protective of me.

" I will get straight to the point, Misha. I bet you're wondering why Simon did not turn up to class today?"

I nodded, and replied to Erik's question,

"Actually, you're right sir, I was wondering why he didn't attend class. What's happened to him?"

Erik let out a sigh

" He is banned from my class and has been sent to another. He will no longer be taught how to track or even get the chance to become a beast tamer. He lost that privilege when he decided to do what he did to you Princess.

Instead, he will learn how to look after the many rare beasts at our sanctuary. Maybe if he learns to care about something other than himself, he might actually make a good beast keeper and human."

A wave of relief washed over me and I threw my arms around Erik and excidetly embraced him. He was taken aback by my sudden show of emotion.

"So, because Simon is no longer going to be a beast tamer, does that mean I won't ever have to attend any classes with him?"

I questioned.

"Yes." Erik replied.

We finished our conversation and I rushed out the door. It felt as though a weight had been lifted off my shoulders and I smiled.

Upon seeing me smile, an actual genuine smile not a polite or forced one. Aqila looked at me suspiciously.

"What's got you so happy, Princess?" She asked as we started to walk back to our room.

I turned to her,

"Simon will no longer be attending any of my classes as punishment for what he did to me. He has been moved to different classes, he will be learning to become a beast keeper and has lost his chance to become a tamer.

I'm so happy and relieved right now Aqila, it's like I'm starting a new chapter of my life. I feel for the first time that I have the ability to move on."

She smiled and patted me on the shoulder, she was happy for me.

Both Aqila and I were studying late into the night. It was the Friday before an important test on the following Monday.

The candle light flickered as we both strained our eyes in their soft, yellow glow. I heard a quick and quiet knock at our door. I ignored it, and put it down to me being tired and imagining things, it was late, no-one would want to to visit us at this weird time of night. Then, another knock, slighlty louder than the last interrupted us again. We both stopped, Aqila whispered through the curtain,

"Are you expecting visitors, Princess?"

"No" I replied.

"I wonder who it might be. Stay there, Ill answer it." She whispered as I heard her draw her sword and approach the door.

"Who's there?" Aqila yelled

"My name Is Ronin. Is that you Misha?" He replied.

As soon as I heard the name I knew it was Emrick's lover, he did end up coming to save Emrick from prison. My heart swelled.

"It's alright Aqila, I know who is at the door. Let him in."

Aqila looked at me strangely, but did open the door and let Ronin in. I couldn't make out his features until he came into the glow of the candle. I gasped, I didn't expect Ronin to be as handsome as he was.

He had long Raven black hair pulled back, but bits of hair had escaped and stuck to his face as he must've come across some rainy weather on his way here. His yellow eyes, shone in the candlelight. His clothes were soaked and clung to his body, revealing the muscles in his arms.

I gulped, and finally got over the initial shock of Ronin turning up out of the blue and the second shock of how handsome Ronin actually was. I looked over to Aqila, who was lurking near the door, her sword drawn.

"Can you please get a towel for our guest from my wardrobe? He looks as though he needs one."

I then turned my attention to Ronin,

"Please, Sir Ronin, take a seat." I motioned for him to sit on my chair at the desk.

He gratefully took it, Aqila cautiously handed him the towel. He nodded in thanks and wiped his face, then removed the tie from his hair and dried the soaked black strands.

"I'm guessing you're here about Emrick?"

I questioned.

"Yes, I have come here to help him escape the prison and return to Primeva island with me. Please take me to the prison, so I may rescue my beloved Emrick?"

I had to stifle a giggle, he spoke so proper and old fashioned. From the way he spoke and his mannerisms, I knew in his past Ronin had to be of Royal blood or a servant in a Royal court.

" I can take you there tomorrow morning, Sir Ronin. It's too late now, and the grounds of the academy cover a large amount of land. I've only ever visited the prison during the day, and if I go now I will most likely become lost. Plus, your clothes are soaked, and you must be tired. I can lend you a dressing gown or even direct you to the boy's bathing room if you wish to freshen up, while your clothes dry?"

Ronin looked at me funny,

"You are aware I'm a vampire? I don't need to sleep and I hardly ever feel tired. I'm a lot larger than you are, so what makes you think your dressing gown would fit me? I'll just wear my underclothes until my clothes are dried."

I blushed and turned away as Ronin started to remove his soaked clothes and laid them in front of the fireplace. When I looked towards him again, I had never in my life seen such a beautifully sculptured torso. His body reminded me of the marble statues of naked and half naked Men that my father had deposited around the castle. He was beautiful.

My leering of Ronin's body did not go unnoticed by Ronin or by Aqila. My memories were interrupted by a sharp cough.

"So where is this bathing room? Do you have soap?" Ronin said, slightly annoyed.

I stuttered,

"Yes, I can show you right away." I handed him some fresh soap and led him through the dark empty halls and towards the bathing room.