Page 103 of An Empress of Air & Chaos

She knew she didn’t love him, but she felt that like was a discredit to her feelings for him. He was different and, for the first time, she felt comfortable with her feelings. They were natural and pure. And slightly terrifying.

“Would you like water?” she asked, changing the subject.

“What about that fresh orange juice that you like from the kitchen?” His request drove a small smile onto his lips.

“Sure, of course.” She stood, dragging her eyes to Cally. “Come on now, Callyn, let’s not disturb Gideon any longer than we have to.”

She lounged back in her chair and tossed Emara a tormenting look. “I think I am just going to sit here and ask our favourite Blacksteel a few questions.”

“Callyn—” Emara tried to warn.

“Things that best friends need to know, you know? Like his favourite author, sunset or sunrise? Does he prefer brunettes to blondes? His intentions with you…is he sleeping with anyone else?”

Emara lunged over to the seat that she had relaxed into, getting comfortable to make Gideon squirm. “I don’t think that is necessary.”

“Oh, I do.”

“I don’t think he can answer any of those questions.” She tugged on Cally’s arm and narrowed her eyes. “He’s rather sick, Callyn.”

She flashed her the ‘I am going to kill you’ smile.

“He looks okay to me.” Cally smiled back. “Don’t you, Gideon? You wouldn’t mind little old me keeping you company while Emara gets juice?” She looked over at him with false innocence.

“I would be more than happy to answer any questions that you have.” His gaze shifted to Emara, his emerald eyes hovering over her face, causing her breath to hitch in her chest.

She pulled her eyes away from his and turned her attention to Cally. “You get until I am back from the kitchen and then question time is over,” she warned her best friend, letting go of her arm. “Okay?”

Cally’s blue eyes winked in excitement. “I promise I will play nice.” And then she smiled like a cat from ear to ear and pushed Emara out the door, slamming it shut in her face.

Emara had returned only a quarter of an hour later with a jug of freshly-squeezed orange juice and ice to see that Cally was gone—and Gideon was sitting up higher than he had been before, a boyish grin on his face, the bandage on his arm still intact.

“Should I be worried?” Emara sat the jug on the beside him and poured a glass.

“It depends on what gets you worried.” Gideon’s hair was even more unruly than normal as the chocolate brown tufts brushed out from his head in waves.

“The fact that my protective best friend is trying to dig around your head—well, that worries me.”

Gideon raised his square jaw and a muscle tightened in his face. “Is it the fact that she was digging around my head, or the fact that she was digging ‘round in my head to find out how I feel about you?” he asked.

Emara gulped.

“Everything about that is slightly scary.” She held his gaze as a heat pushed over her full body, swarming her. Ignoring her feelings, she walked over to the bed and sat down on the edge of the mattress.

A hearty laugh broke his lips. “You’re not great with your feelings, are you? Aren’t humans supposed to be all in touch with their feelings?”

The word human struck her like a chord through her heart. She couldn’t lie to him any more about who she was. She had to tell him that she wasn’t exactly human. It wasn’t right to feel the way she did about him and for him not to know her. Fully know her.

“Gideon, I—” she started, but couldn’t find the words. She tried again, but nothing came out. Nothing sounded real.

“You don’t have to explain why you find it difficult.” He ran a hand over hers, sending shivers up her arm. “Not everyone likes to communicate their feelings.”

Emara knew she should tell Gideon—tell him everything—but a heavy weight pressed onto her chest, stopping her from revealing who she really was. Why couldn’t she just be honest with him?

“Have you thought any more about coming to the uplift?” Gideon changed the direction of the conversation. And, suddenly, the weight lifted from her chest.

“Are you sure you are going to even make it to the uplift?”

“I wouldn’t miss it if it means I get to spend time with you.” His eyes looked over her lips. “Since I am not training you every morning, I haven’t had that quality time.” He smiled. “Has Marcus been going easy on you?”

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