Page 61 of Ocean of Silver

I nodded, not sure what to say back to that.

“Come on, let’s get you back to the castle before nightfall. Maybe we can have dinner together?”

I smiled. “I’d love that.”

TWENTY-FOUR

SCOTLIND

“I am not wearing this,”I snapped at Patricia. I was happy she was back, but I did not miss her lack of fabric when it came to my clothes. Not that I thought she had a choice. Luxian fashion was limited and skimpy to begin with.

“These are the clothes Tezya gave me. If you don’t want to wear them, then don’t go,” she retorted. She was furious when I told her that I was traveling to the mortal territory with Tezya and spent the entire night trying to talk me out of it. She was even more furious when Tez said that she couldn’t come with us when I asked him.

I snatched the questionable fabric from her hands and stormed into the bathing room with it. Eyeing the tub, I knew I should try to bathe. I had dirt caked under my fingernails from the past two days of training in the mud with Brock, and I knew my cloth bath wasn’t really cutting it. I had been thinking about it more and more, trying to coax myself to just try. But every time I thought I might, I chickened out.

Whatever Tezya had to do to prepare for this trip kept him completely occupied. I hadn’t seen him since he first showed me the domes. I had no idea if he knew anything about what happened during my training with Brock, if he knew that his friend had broken my wrist and healed it immediately. I was still impressed with the fact that I never felt anything. I hadn’t even realized the bone broke. If I hadn’t heard the snap, if I hadn’t stopped and looked at Brock, I wouldn’t have even known. His abilities were terrifying and amazing. I could see how he was second in command of the army. He was really powerful—all of Tezya’s friends were.

It was refreshing to hang out with them. I actually enjoyed the training, despite the fact that it made me feel incompetent. It was noticeable how far behind I was from all the years I lacked using my ability. But it only motivated me, only made me want to learn and master it faster.

I was in awe of all the Luxian powers, fascinated by each of them, and I knew I was only just scratching the surface of all that Lux possessed. It was so different fighting with elemental abilities. It was exhilarating to be able to incorporate my own for the first time in my life. In Tennebris, I could only spar using my own body, but mixing my water powers with my fighting was something else entirely.

The Luxian abilities seemed more evenly matched too. At least inside the domes, I could see how depending on your surroundings, you had the upper hand. Each element and ability had its advantages and weaknesses. Whereas the Dark abilities weren’t as evenly matched. Compulsion and illusion overpowered everything there.

I stripped down and quickly put on the clothes Patricia gave me. The shirt was torn halfway across my abdomen, exposing half my stomach, and the pants—if you could even call them pants—seemed more like a second layer of skin. It took me forever to pull the tight material up my calves and over my thighs.

“Patricia, the shirt is ripped,” I yelled through the door as I walked back into the bedroom. She was mid-drink and spit out her water all over her own dress once she saw me. “And these pants are so tight that I can barely move properly.”

She let out a husky laugh as she eyed me. “I was told those are calledleggingsand quite popular amongst the humans.”

“The shape of my butt is completely exposed. This is no different than not wearing anything at all,” I huffed as I turned around to show her. I pulled at the material of the shirt. “And how is this even a shirt, and what the heck is on it?” I pointed to my half-ripped shirt that was all white except for this ugly green-goblin-looking-man-thing on the center of it. The print readYoda one for me. I did not understand mortal fashion.

“Well, like I said, dear, if you aren’t going to be comfortable blending in with the mortals, then don’t go.” She didn’t bother leaving the sternness out of her voice.

A knock sounded on my door. I ignored my maid as I went to open it. Tezya was wearing his usual black baggy pants that halted down his calves. His shirt was white and extremely thin. I swallowed hard, trying not to notice the way I could see his muscle cord and move beneath it.

When I finally looked up, I noticed he was eyeing me too. I suddenly felt very uncomfortable in my barely covering clothes. “You look verymortal.”

“I think you got the size wrong,” I said as I stifled a yawn. Staying up all night bickering with Patricia was weighing heavily on me. “It doesn’t even cover my stomach.”

Tezya’s eyes widened as they drifted to where I was pointing. “No, I didn’t get it wrong.”

“Yes, you did. It’s ripped in half. Even the questionable swimming attire covered more than this.”

He laughed. “Well, if you would rather wear the black swimsuit, I wouldn’t object.”

Patricia bristled behind me. I could tell she was fuming without turning to look at her. I crossed my arms over the ugly green man as Tezya added, “It’s mortal fashion, Rumor. We need to blend in.”

“Well, it’s awful.”

“I disagree entirely,” he smiled as he looked me up and down again. I heard a swishing of skirts as Patrica started wobbling toward us.

“Let’s go,” I said quickly. I didn’t bother turning around to say goodbye to her. I knew she would only scold us, and I wanted to leave before she could say anything to Tezya. I didn’t want to risk her talking him out of bringing me.

Tezya and I walked down to the docks on the bay where Kallon was supposed to meet us. She had already created the portal that would transport the two of us somewhere off the coast of what the mortals called Florida.

“You ready?” Kallon turned to ask me. Half of her hair was sage green today. I nodded as Tezya wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me into his chest. A jolt ran through me at his closeness. At the feel of his breath brushing the top of my head. I could hear his steady heartbeat through his chest.

“Okay, great,” Kallon said, her eyes glued to the portal she was unfurling. “Because I have to leave as soon as I portal you two in. I’ll reopen it tomorrow at the same hour to bring you guys back to Lux.”

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