#7 I Don't Trust Easy

Rowyn POV

The garden courtyard smelled like lavender, petrichor, and overwatered privilege. Aster and I claimed a sun warmed stone bench near a sparkling koi pond, our croissants long gone and our coffees steaming in our hands. I let myself breathe for the first time all morning.

She sipped from her sugar laced brew and tilted her head back. “Gods, I needed this.”

“Same,” I muttered. “Didn’t think my first week at Fae Hogwarts would include getting Barbie bitch slapped before breakfast.”

Aster snorted so hard she nearly choked. “You mean Seraphina Volarix? Fire heir and professional drama llama?”

I raised an eyebrow. “You know her?”

She nodded. “Everyone does. I try to stay out of noble bullshit, but when your parents work for the royal court…” She shrugged. “You pick up the gossip whether you want to or not.”

I leaned back, watching the magical koi zip through water that shimmered like glass. “So you’re court adjacent?”

“Unfortunately.” She rolled her eyes. “My dad’s the Royal Herbologist. Mom works in the Diviner’s Hall. Not nobles, but always ass kissing to keep their rank. They about lost their minds when I was summoned in the Calling. Instant status upgrade.”

“You don’t seem thrilled.”

“I’d rather grow mushrooms in a cave and talk to beetles.”

That made me laugh, like ugly laugh, full snort style. I slapped a hand over my mouth. “Sorry...”

“Don’t be.” Her smile was soft and honest. “It’s nice to not have to pretend.”

My fingers tapped nervously against my cup. I hesitated, then said, “At least your mom didn’t try to sell you.”

Her brows lifted slightly, but she didn’t flinch. “Shit.”

I shrugged like it didn’t still burn. “One day I had a stuffed rabbit and dreams about being a fire witch, the next I'm turning 18 the next day and overbearing my mom offer my virginity away for gold crowns… trust issues are kinda my thing.”

Aster didn’t give me pity eyes. She just nodded and bumped my shoulder gently with hers. “You survived. That makes you dangerous. I like it.” Something about her aura pulsed warm, like sunshine filtered through pink petals. If I focused, I could almost see it, like a glowing ring around her. Bright. Kind. Safe. A little chaotic around the edges, but in a good way.

“I don’t trust easy,” I said honestly.

“That’s okay.” She smiled again. “I’m annoyingly patient.”

And just like that, we were friends. The bell rang in the distance, a melodic chime that echoed through the castle grounds.

“Time for Bloodline Lineage & Divine Lore,” Aster said, standing and dusting crumbs off her skirt.

“Sounds like a fun mix of trauma and destiny,” I muttered, grabbing my bag. We took the outer walk path toward the main lecture halls, cutting through a garden arch lined in spell grown roses that glowed faintly with illusion magic.

That’s when I saw them. Zephyr fucking Sylvaran, stormy glare, his jaw clenched, walking like he owned the air he breathed. And beside him? That brown haired high fae that Barbie bitch had been drooling over in the dining hall. Both of them were watching me like I was a puzzle they hadn’t solved yet.

I looked away. Nope. Not today, demon spawn. Then Seraphina slithered into view, latching herself onto the brunette like she was contractually obligated to seduce someone every hour.

“Ohhh Kalyx,” she purred, stroking his shoulder. “Come see me tonight, baby. I miss you.”

Kalyx. So that’s the name of the guy she’d been fawning over like a cat in heat. She blew him a kiss and spun dramatically on her heel, sauntering off toward the main doors, hips swaying like she was auditioning for a perfume commercial.

I scowled, confused and mildly disgusted with myself. Why the hell did that make me jealous? I didn’t even know the guy. Just a name. A smirk. Some broody eyes.

“Did you just growl?” Aster asked beside me, amused.

“Shut up,” I muttered, marching past the boys without a second glance. Zephyr’s stare burned into my back, and I swore I heard Kalyx chuckle as I passed. We ducked into the classroom for Bloodline Lineage & Divine Lore. Rows of circular desks were arranged in a spiral, each one surrounded by floating glyphs and runes that shimmered in gold. I chose a seat near the center, Aster beside me.

A soft gust of wind and a flurry of flower petals preceded the professor’s entrance. She looked like a literal fae queen....tall, graceful, pale blue skin that shimmered like opal, with silver streaked dark hair braided with vines and tiny crystals. She moved like moonlight on water. She turned, lifted her hand, and the runes above her pulsed into sharp, legible script. Professor Valewyn.

“Welcome,” she said, her voice like wind through leaves. “This class will trace the divine lines of old… and perhaps,” she smiled slowly, “uncover where they’ve been hiding.”

I swallowed. Great. She stepped onto the enchanted dais, her voice calm but commanding. “Today, we begin where everything began… with the Thirteen Fallen Gods.” With a graceful flick of her hand, the wall behind her shimmered to life. A constellation of glowing symbols pulsed into place.

The Thirteen Fallen Gods & Their Bloodlines

"From their ash, we rose. From their blood, we were born."

A ripple went through the room as everyone leaned forward. Professor Valewyn’s voice dropped to a reverent hush, like she was sharing a sacred truth. “Each god ruled a fundamental force. When they were destroyed during the Divine War, their essence splintered, embedding fragments in mortals. Those fragments became bloodlines. Every godblood born today descends from one of these divine sources. Whether you know it or not.”

She gestured to the first symbol: a flame that flickered real fire.

1. Ignisar – God of Fire Bloodline

Name: Ignisborn

Traits: volatile tempers, enhanced strength, fire conjuration, immunity to flame

Signature Magic: combustion spells, wildfire manipulation, soul-heat channeling

Trial Weakness: cannot survive underwater realms without aid

Whispers filled the room. I scribbled in my notebook so fast my hand cramped.

“Many godbloods,” the professor continued, “live unaware of their lineage. But don’t fret.” She offered a knowing smile. “In your third week here, you’ll undergo a blood test to determine your divine origin. The truth will reveal itself, whether you’re ready or not.”

The room buzzed. People looked around like they were already guessing who belonged to what. I couldn’t help it, I felt… hopeful. Like maybe I’d finally know who the hell I was.

Of course, the moment was shattered by a loud, venom laced whisper behind me. “Let’s hope they test for trash lineage,” Seraphina hissed. “We’ve got enough gutter rats stinking up the bloodlines.”

I gripped my pen so hard it cracked. Professor Valewyn turned, sharp as lightning. “Not in my classroom, Lady Volarix. You will keep your lineage pride to yourself or you’ll spend the next month studying alone in the Shadow Archives.”

Seraphina’s cheeks flushed crimson, and she clamped her mouth shut, glaring daggers at me like I was the problem. The rest of the lecture was fire heavy, literally. From flame channeling rituals to the first recorded Ignisborn warlords. I soaked it up like a sponge, my mind racing with questions. Could I be one of them? Or something else entirely?

The bell finally rang at 11:30, and the room scrambled for freedom like caged pixies set loose. My stomach screamed for lunch, and Aster and I headed toward the dining hall, the scent of bread and spices already wafting through the corridor like a damn siren song.

We weren’t even halfway there when they appeared. Zephyr Sylvaran and that guy, Kalyx. Mr. Tall, Dark, and Brooding Glare. And yep. Still watching me.

I froze, already annoyed, and bared my teeth. “Are you fuckers stalking me now?”

Zephyr smirked. Kalyx looked pissed. “You need to watch who you piss off,” he said, his voice low and dark like thunderclouds.

I snarled. “I already punched your girlfriend in the face this morning. I think I can handle myself, thanks.”

His jaw flexed so hard I swore I saw a vein twitch in his temple. Zephyr looked amused, like this was all the entertainment he needed for the week. Kalyx growled under his breath and turned on his heel, storming off to their table without another word. Zephyr followed after shooting me a weird, unreadable look that made my spine itch.

“Gods,” I muttered, “can we go one hour without fae testosterone poisoning the air?”

Aster giggled and linked her arm through mine. “You really do make things interesting.” We grabbed trays, loaded up on grilled mushroom sandwiches, honeycakes, and blackfruit lemonade, and returned to our spot in the back corner. My stomach thanked me, and for once, the drama died down.

At least… for now.