Page 102 of An Empress of Air & Chaos

“I won’t stop the training,” she cut in dryly. “I will continue my sessions every morning with Marcus as I have been.” Emara bit into the side of her cheek. “He has kindly taken over from Gideon whilst he heals, and a few of the other Humans—I mean villagers—are also asking to be trained. We are making progress. Maybe you should come along.”

“I certainly will not.” She flipped her golden hair over her shoulder. “I will not be messing up my perfect face or my beautifully shaped body for anyone.”

Emara rolled her eyes and let out a small, puffy laugh.

“If these so-called Gods gave me a gift, I don’t intend to mess it up by having it punched.” She laughed her hearty laugh. “That would be rude.” She paused, her face changing slightly. “You can train, but you don’t have to train like a Hunter.”

Annoyance rolled over Emara’s tongue at the way she said “Hunter.”

“I want to do it, Cally. It makes me feel…strong and powerful. It might not be great for my body”—she referenced to the bruises on her arms and the cut on her hand—“but it has been amazing for my mind.” She lowered her eyes to the floor. “I am willing to take that sacrifice if it means I have silence in my head for a little while.”

“I know how rough these last few weeks have been for you,” Cally’s voice was softer than before. “So if it’s good for you, then keep doing it. I just don’t want you to burn yourself out. And be careful; the bruises I can hide with a little makeup, but the cuts? Not so much. We have an uplift to attend.”

“You are still thinking about that?” she said as she reopened her book on the fine art of weaponry.

“Of course I am. What else is there to think about?”

Emara could think of more important things than a stupid ball.

“Sometimes you need to focus on the small things that bring joy,” Cally advised. “Otherwise, life would be all doom and gloom with demons and death. Is that how you want to live?”

Emara thought over Cally’s outlook before answering, “I don’t think we get the luxury of choosing that.”

“Well, what you have is the luxury of having a best friend who will make things entertaining. No matter how you are feeling.” She paused. “Besides, the wolves are still coming to the uplift after everything that happened. Waylen will be there, and you can finally meet him.”

“How is he holding up?”

“Just dealing with it the best way he can, I suppose. I saw him last night after he said his farewells to his brother. Said he needed some space from the pack for a little while. He can feel their grief. It’s a wolf thing.”

Emara pulled her legs up to her chest. “I can’t imagine what it must be like to lose a sibling. Especially when the pack can feel each other’s grief. It must be unbearable at times.” She had seen how Torin had been over Gideon, and they both had the hearts of warriors.

“Waylen will take care of everyone. He’s a good guy, Emara. I think you would really like him…” She grinned demurely.

Emara thought for a second that Cally was being coy as a tint of red shimmered into her cheeks.

“He is a good guy,” a rough voice sounded from the bed.

At once, Emara was reminded that Gideon was in the infirmary room. Chats with Cally often felt like they were the only two in the world.

“Gideon, how are you?” Cally said softly.

“I have been better, but thank you for asking.” He pulled himself up a little.

Emara pushed off her chair and was by his side in two steps to help him move up the bed. “Do you two talk about me when I’m not here?” he jested.

Emara quickly said “No,” and Cally said “Of course” at the same time. As Cally and Emara’s answers clashed, Emara shot her a glare. We are supposed to be on the same page.

But Cally wasn’t backing down as she pulled her ‘Tell the truth, bitch’ face.

“So, which one is it?” Amusement filled in Gideon’s features and it was the first time Emara had seen a lightness in his eyes in days.

“Maybe once or twice, your name might make an appearance,” she admitted, trying to forget the flush that appeared in her cheeks.

“All good things, I hope.” He smiled gently.

Her lips curled up in amusement as she thought over the conversations that she and Cally had had regarding him. About his hair, about his muscles, his abs and his arms. About his kiss, his touch. What he meant by giving her the rose. What he meant the night of the Blood Moon when he asked her to wait for him. They thought over the possibility of Gideon Blacksteel liking her in a romantic sense and the disbelief that she liked him back in that way.

She more than liked him.

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