Can you love me

l e a v i n g a m a r k

Results for the first assignment were out and I was not really excited. Two of our classmates died and I think it was really idiotic to be happy about qualifying for the next trails of the Knighthood. Out of all those who signed up only twenty cleared out and I was one of them , so was Jayden, Brendon and Laura.

Everyone was busy looking at the list put up on the notice board and I didn't bother because I got the news already. But this time ,when I walked in the hall, silence followed. Rumours about me must have gone stronger after the incident and people look outright scared. They moved clearing my path and I felt the deep ache in my gut.

Armour followed me from behind but now he walked next to me.

"They don't know the real you." He whispered.

"And I do?" I was not sure what will happen to me. And the warning from last time said till I became dark and evil or something in similar context.

"Yes you do, deep down you know because a person who punishes herself just or using the curse has some ounce of good in them." He sounded so sincere about it that I could actually feel the truth in his words.

And then just for the fun of it I looked at the group of people closest to me and smirked slyly and they scurried off like a squirrel.

"Is your wound okay?" Armour asked peering at me carefully.

His comfort level around me was increasing.

"I will live through it."

"I am sure you will." He replied in a calm tone as if he was mocking me.

We entered the class and sat down in my usual seat. Luca came in and made schedule announcements for the remaining twenty in the run for Knightship. We were being moved to the second level of magic training, the defensive magic. And also we will be using advanced weapons and stuff but the major difference was Memoir Battles, a visual reality battle that helps you train in real life situations.

As far as I have heard, they are really hard.

Jayden entered the class late and whispered something to Luca which made me really curious. And then surprising the rest of the female population he sat down next to me.

And for the first time ever he nodded in acknowledgement towards Armour.

"You look sexy today." He said smoothly and for a moment I was dumbstruck.

"And how does that girl look? In yellow top." I asked sassing him.

"Okay." He said not paying a lot of attention his eyes on my face unnerving me.

"You can stop the useless flirting with me, I know your nature Jayden."

"Frozen, you are a badass knight who wears a leather jacket and doesn't bother to hide her scars. I have never seen a girl sexier than you." He didn't hesitant or sounded flattering.

He said it like he was saying the truth.

"And shouldn't he be fired? You got attacked saving him." Jayden pointed at Armour.

"He is not going anywhere, I want him around." I hissed back annoyed at his words.

Armour was the only person I can talk out, the only person aware of the full danger of my curse.

Jayden's face darkened and suddenly he seemed interested in the books.

***

Before the sessions for Knightship could commence, I was called to the principal's office which is usually not a good thing. On reaching there I saw Celine in the office and with her was Jayden and Brendon gawking at her.

"Annalise, I need you to help Celine here. As you already have an armour, she can sleep in your room since it will be the safest."

I don't share rooms, I can't. I have nightmares.

"I am sorry sir, she is not allowed to share rooms. Instructions from Luca and her parents." Armour spoke up in my stead and I was really grateful.

"It is not an option." Like I said the principal was not a big fan of me.

"She can take the room next to mine. I will protect her." Jayden said and there I had a rush of annoyance.

After a moment of contemplating Principal finally agreed to this. I sighed in relied and started walking out.

"I need to talk to your bodyguard for a moment." The Principal said so I waited outside the closed doors of the room.

Celine gave me a small smile and walked away. I expected Jayden to follow but he stopped next to me.

"You need to open up to people Frozen." He sounded angry which surprised me.

"I don't think that is wise for anyone."

"Look at me, I am alive because of you." He closed the distance and for the first time I was nervous and backed up a bit.

"Do I look disgusted?" He asked and took another step forward and I moved back.

"Do I look scared?" And this time, I hit the wall and he was inches away from me.

His grey eyes were filled with emotions ; some of them baffled me. His fingers lifted and gently caressed my cheek and I struggled to keep my eyes open.

"I know you can feel it too." He said as he fingers traced my lips and I trembled.

"W-what?" I stammered, I never stammer.

"Goosebumps." His eyes challenged me to refuse while a smirk adorned his face.

But I had no energy to speak whatsoever.

"It's not that your lips are cursed." And then he backed off as the door to Principal's room opened.

Armour gave him a scowl but he just shrugged casually and walked off with a smirk in my direction.

I don't like other guys around you Frozen. It was the last thing he said in my head before vanishing from the sight.

***

I woke up at night but this time not because of a nightmare. Someone was knocking on my door with urgency. I opened the door and saw a worried looking Armour waiting for me.

"What?" I hurriedly put on the closest hoodie I had while he collected my weapons.

"Attack , on the outer market."

"Somewhere specific or whole market?" I tied my hair in a bun and we almost ran out of the dorm area.

"We will have to see." Armour sounded panicked which was so unlike him.

"Why are we going?" I was just a Knight in training, an excellent one but still in training.

Suddenly Armour stopped almost making me collide into his back.

"What happened?" I asked for stopping and looking so worried.

"The attackers have left a mark on the scene." He said and I knew this was not going somewhere good.

"What mark?"

"I don't know but your mother is there and she called for us."

And then the dread hit me, it can't be, it shouldn't be? The mark only me and my mother knew about, one I got after I was cursed right in the middle of my back.