Read All's Fair in Love and Lion for Free Online

might like some company.”
    “ Could you come back later? This is the last class of my day and I really don’t care to appear crazy . ”
    “Those minutes will seem endless.”
    “I could throw you out.”
    “I’d rather not feel the full force of your wrath.”
    Exiting her consciousness, I feel a little guilty. It’s the third time today I’ve intruded on her thoughts. Once in the morning, once during lunch when Carl came in to give her extra essay entry forms. However, I’ve found I can hardly control myself.
    “Fifteen minutes shouldn’t be that long to wait,” she mutters.
    Some students look up and she glances pointedly at the books in their hands and they turn back to reading. She goes over the same paper three more times. The students start murmuring. They know she’s not usually flustered. She shoots them a dark look, and they hastily return to their assignment.
    The clock on the wall says five minutes left. Thank the Creator!
    “I realize the bell is about to ring,” Sasha says as the students’ voices fill the air. “However, it hasn’t, so please lower your voices and stay in your seats.”
    The students shift restlessly until a loud ring interrupts their activity. They leap up and head for the door.
    Sasha walks around the empty room and straightens desks, picks up papers, and puts them in the Lost and Found box near her desk.
    “I’m so glad,” I say, as I reenter her head, “you don’t have another class period. Do you realize how difficult it is for me to watch you and not be with you?”
    “You need more patience,” she says aloud.
    “You’re not the first, nor do I think you’ll be the last, to say so.”
    “Perhaps you should take the advice.”
    “I’d rather not.”
    “You’re impossible,” she says. There’s a hint of merriment in her tone.
    “And you’re adorable.”
    “Will you stop?”
    “Did I embarrass you, again? Ah, yes, I can feel the heat from your cheeks.”
    Exasperation fills her mind. “Monroe, please. What if someone shows up?”
    “If they do, maybe you’ll actually want me to fully appear and escort them out so you can have me all to yourself?”
    “Don’t bet on it.” Her voice reminds me of a lioness’s growl.
    “One can always dream.”
    In spite herself, she laughs.
    “That’s a delightful sound,” I say. “What a pity other men can’t see in you what I do. However, I’d dispose of them before they had the opportunity.”
    “Naturally,” she says out loud, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
    “Did you anticipate less?”
    “Never.” A bit arrogant. Her thought flits by me and I chuckle.
    “Excellent.”
    “Please leave. Some students will be here soon for tutoring.”
    “How awful of them. But, I promise to behave.”
    “I’ll believe that when it happens.”
    “Now you tease. Bravo!”
    “If you don’t mind yourself, I will push you from my mind.”
    “I’ll be a model of good behavior.”
    “Right.”
    “You have the word of a gentleman.”
    “Thanks, I think.”
    “Not at all, my lady.”
    As she double-checks the blackboard, I say, “You know, we don’t have teachers in the Third Realm. At least, not the way things are done in the First Realm.”
    “Really?” she inquires internally. “What do you do for education?”
    “Tutors. And I hated every one of them.”
    “I can imagine how difficult you were.”
    “Master Tomas did not enjoy having me for a pupil.”
    “I sympathize with him.”
    “ So did my parents, when they were alive. Master Tomas didn’t last long. Neither did Master Crumpton. When Master Renal came, my parents made it clear they’d make my life miserable if I didn’t behave. I did better under him. I despised every minute.”
    “I don’t envy the task they had. I’m sorry about your parents, though.”
    “Don’t be. I’m grateful they gave me life, however, that’s where my admiration for them ends.”
    “I was close to my parents. They were loving and kind. I miss them.”