The Messenger( Iva) novel Chapter 217

Two Days-1

Claim

The morning sun streamed through the tall windows of the canteen, casting long golden rectangles across the worn wooden floors. Students milled about with their trays, voices rising and falling in the familiar rhythm of conversation and laughter. The scent of eggs, fresh bread, and strong tea hung in the

air.

Iva sat at their usual table near the window, her untouched breakfast growing cold in front of her. She watched the door, waiting.

Lori appeared a few minutes later, her red hair pulled back in a messy bun, dark circles shadowing her green eyes. She moved like someone carrying a heavy weight-slower than usual, her shoulders rounded, her gaze fixed on the floor.

She slid onto the bench across from Iva and reached for a piece of toast without looking up.

“Lori.” Iva’s voice was soft. “How are you holding up?”

Lori tore a corner off the toast and put it in her mouth, chewing slowly.

“Getting used to the idea,” she said finally. “As much as anyone can get used to something like this.”

Iva’s heart ached. She wanted to reach across the table and take her friend’s hand, but something in Lori’s posture told her to wait.

“And Caleb? Did you spoke to him?” Lori asked, finally lifting her eyes. “What did he say about telling him?”

Iva took a breath.

“Caleb is coming to the academy in two days,” she said. “It will happen then.”

Lori’s fingers tightened on her toast. “Two days?”

“Two days.”

She remembered the phone call from the night before-the way Caleb’s voice had sounded through the receiver, tired but warm. She had told him everything. About the red thread. About Attia. About Lori.

The silence that had followed had been heavy.

“Attia’s mate is your best friend?” Caleb had asked finally, still in shock. “The med student?”

“Yes.”

“Iva… are you certain?”

“I saw the thread, Caleb. With my own eyes. The goddess doesn’t make mistakes.”

Another silence. Then a low whistle.

“Attia. Of all people… and being matched with a student. Your poor friend.”

12

Clam

< Two Days

“What do you mean?” Iva had asked, her stomach tightening.

“Nothing. It’s just… he’s not an easy man. Never has been. Powerful, yes. Respected, absolutely. But easy?

No.”

“Lori is strong.”

“She’ll need to be. Especially with a family like his. They are one of the oldest and most respected clans from our kingdom.”

Iva had told him about her concerns-about how to reveal the bond without revealing her identity as the Messenger. About the logistics of communicating fated couples to the public. About the delicate dance of telling a man like Headmaster Attia that his mate was an eighteen-year-old scholarship student.

“Leave this to me,” Caleb had said. “I already spoke with my father, the king. We will make an announcement that the Messenger will communicate all fated couples to us, and we will let the people know through an official channel. No one needs to know who the Messenger is. Only that the bonds are real. And that later, is up to everyone if they decide to pursue and accept the bonds or not.”

“And Attia?”

“It seems we will start with him, but this one will be communicated face to face, by me personally.” Iva had sensed something in his tone-a hesitation, a weight-that had made her pulse quicken.

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