Page 135 of The Warrior
“You think I’m not serious,” Solomon said and began arguing. “Just because we are young doesn’t mean we don’t know how we feel. I love her.”
His words knocked my breath from me. “You love her?”
He nodded with determination.
“Did you tell Willow that?”
Solo turned around and took up his fighter position. “Yes, I did, and when she’s old enough to marry, we’ll make it official.”
I chewed on my lip, unable to speak.
“Let’s try that kick again,” Solo instructed and waited for me to get into position before he attacked.
The thought that two children had no problem declaring their love for each other was humbling to me. They were twelve and fourteen but not afraid to say such powerful words.
Magni and I were adults and married. We had no excuses, so why hadn’t I told Magni how I felt about him when I had the chance?
Solomon’s attack took me by surprise and I landed on my ass. My mind had been occupied with blaming myself for pushing Magni away and I hadn’t been concentrating. Annoyed with myself, I cursed low and took Solomon’s hand when he pulled me up. “Thank you.”
“You got to clear your mind and focus.”
Loud screams from the outside made me look out the window, and I saw a flash of red appear for a second.
“What the fuck?” Solomon breathed behind me. “He’s going to crash at that speed.”
I ran to the window, my fingers almost boring into the frame, and my heart speeding with fear. It was Magni and he was coming in much too fast. Something had to be wrong with his hybrid.
The thought that I was about to watch the man I loved crash and burn made me stiff with fear. My eyes locked on the red drone in the sky.
“Get back, get back,” Archer screamed outside and the Nboys ran for cover.
Magni was always careful with his hybrid, but this time it came down so fast that it slid over the ground and made scratching sounds.
When the door opened, Magni didn’t step out. He jumped out and ran straight for the school, shouting at Archer and the boys. “Where is Marco?”
Disappointment filled me. “Marco?” I turned to look at Solomon, my eyes blinking in confusion. Why hadn’t Magni asked for me or maybe Mila? Why Marco?”
Solomon lifted both hands as if to say that he had no clue but was wondering the same thing. “We’d better find out what’s going on – come on, Laura.”
Solomon ran, while I walked, trying to get my emotions under control.
I saw Magni enter the gym and a second later, Marco came sprinting out with Magni and all the children on his heels.
“What’s going on?” I asked when Marco ran past me.
He didn’t stop to explain, so instead I stepped in front of Magni with both hands outstretched, shouting for him to stop. It was a matter of trampling me down or stopping, and thank God, Magni chose the latter. Towering over me, his face was scrunched up in anger.
“Why are you chasing Marco?” I demanded to know.
Magni looked past me to Marco, who had stopped a little further away. All the children were gathering to see the action. Lifting his hand, Magni pointed at Marco. “You wouldn’t be running if you hadn’t done something you shouldn’t.”
“I didn’t do anything,” Marco called back with confusion on his face. “Of course I’m running when you look like you’re about to kill me.”
“What is this about?” I asked low enough for only Magni to hear.
He looked down at me, his right eyebrow raised in a perfect arch. “Did you sleep with him?”
The sweetest feeling of relief hit me right in my chest. Magni was back and he still cared about me. I closed my eyes and sighed, but Magni misunderstood and took it as a sign of guilt.
