Page 157 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
“The battlers, since I make their training a misery. Yourbrother, since I hurt someone precious to him. And don’t even get me startedabout Fend. Was that cat always a menace?”
Lilya giggled. “You’re rivals.”
“Excuse me?”
“You’ve been sleeping with him, yes?”
“Who can sleep? Timur snores worse than a seal with astuffy nose.”
Sinder was sounding more like himself, which was a relief.She pointed out, “But that’shisusual spot.”
“He’s jealous?”
“And territorial. And temperamental.”
“Lilya?” called Timur, an odd note in his voice.
She opened her eyes, arched her brows. “What?”
Timur’s brow furrowed.
“Maybe he’s jealous?”suggested Sinder.
“Of what?”
“Good point. But he definitely thinks I’m up to mischief.”
“You can’tdomischief. You talk too much to get awaywith anything.”
“I could give you a list of all the people who agree withyour assessment. But here’s the thing, Lilya. While I’m probably alwaystalking, it’s not always out loud.”
She turned enough to study his face.
Sinder’s lips quirked. “Took you long enough.”
He hadn’t opened his mouth, yet his voice carried just fine.“Why can I hear you?”
“I think we’ve accidentally narrowed down yourclassification. Congratulations, Miss Lilya. You’re a fellow.”
FIFTY-SIX
Gain the Sky
Sinder spent the next few days effectively confined toquarters. It was no use trying to argue that there was a mission at stake. Not withHisoka Twineshaft backing Timur. So Sinder was forced to endure a full courseof remedial teas and handholding.
Sure, theysaidthey needed time to revamp theirstrategies, but the suspension still felt like punishment. Sure, the rookieswould’ve taken a break anyhow, what with the long holiday for Dichotomy Day,but did they have to ban Sinder from the woods?
He was restless.
He wanted to run.
Lilya came as often as her courses allowed. Kyrie came evenmore, since he slept less. Moon was scarce. Family stuff, no doubt. Hisoka’svisits came at odd intervals—brief, intense, and all business. Everyone hadother places to be, other things to be doing. They were moving forward, gettingon, busy elsewhere. Only Timur ever lingered. Usually to reinforce the wholebed rest thing by snoring in Sinder’s ear.
He needed air.
He wanted a look at the sky.
Easing out of his healer’s clutches, Sinder stole barefoot acrossan extravagance in tapestries Timur had strewn across the floor. The man hadtransformed Zisa’s home into a sanctuary fit for any dragon, and Sinder appreciatedthe pampering. But not tonight.
