Page 78 of The Healing Dragon
When I cross the threshold, his eyes snap in my direction. A curve at the edge of his lips kicks up.
“Why do you even need to know where she is, anyway?” he asks Jesse.
“That is not your business,” Jesse shoots back.
Santiago rolls his eyes, then turns to me. “Hey Janelle, where have you been?” He leans over the desk and holds his face in his fist. “The masses want to know. What could you possibly be doing so early?”
I look between the boys. “I was at the clinic.”
“Are you sick?” Jesse looks me over.
“No.”
Santiago goes around the desk and takes my arm in his. “You can fill us in during breakfast. We are getting food.” He looks over his shoulder to Jesse. “Are you coming?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
JESSE
Iwalk behind Santiago and Janelle as we make our way to the dining hall. The breakfast crowd isn't as big now as it is during lunch and dinner. Since most of the castle staff begin their mornings at different times, there is a flux of activity.
Following a few steps behind, I witness for the first time how people look at Janelle. There are some who avert their gazes as she walks by, but others make a point of sending scowls her way. I can't seem to help my returning one as their eyes move from her to me close behind. They’re quick to change their expressions when I meet their gaze.
I knew coming here with her would bring mixed emotions. The events from the past few months have been hard on everyone. I have found it hard to come to terms with what I feel for Janelle because of that but I can't stop the anger at witnessing her treatment.
If being with her would turn those scowls my way I know I am ready to receive them. I am more than prepared to take the accusations and betrayed expressions. I know there is no wayto fully avoid them. I have made a choice and living with it is what I must do. I could have never chosen any other way.
Santiago wastes no time directing us to the food as soon as we walk inside. I watch as he takes a plate and piles a reasonable amount of food for a growing boy. I follow suit but notice Janelle isn't partaking.
“Why aren't you getting food?” I ask Janelle looking at her empty hands.
“I had something already,” she says over her shoulder.
“Where?” I raise a brow.
“The clinic,” she says. Then turns to fully face me. “Pad send some there for everyone.”
Well, that is nice of him. I had no idea Amy Bee had that kind of arrangement with Pad.
I finish getting my food items with Santigo and lead the way to the same table I have been sitting at for years. I can feel more than see Santiago hesitate before following me and taking a seat. Janelle chooses to sit next to him and across from me.
I try to avoid looking around because I know I will be getting odd looks from people around us. It's not their fault that they are curious but I can’t scowl at every resident of the castle. It isn't on my agenda for today. Soon enough the sight of Janelle and I eating and walking side by side will be old news. Nothing to gossip about.
Perhaps that is just wishful thinking on my part.
“Well hey there,” a guard says while he sits beside me.
However, the greeting is directed at Janelle. For his sake, she doesn’t answer him. Just gives him a blank stare that fills me with some type of ridiculous pride.
I feel like a child ready to jump up and scream, “see she won’t talk to you, but she talks to me.”
“What? I thought after everything that happened we needed to stay away from the dragon, but she is here helping the elderly and supplying the castle with herbs.” He holds his face with his fits and looks at her with the same puppy eyes I’ve seen him used on others.
I don’t even bother telling him to stop. With those cheap tactics, he will bury himself. There is no way she will fall for them. Wait.
“Helping the elderly?” I turned my question to her.
“Please tell us more,” Santiago says between bites.
