Page 141 of The Warrior
“Magni?”
We both raised our heads and looked to the door at the sound of Mila’s voice.
With some speed, Magni got up to open the door. Mila had turned around and was running away with her head lowered.
“Mila honey,” he called and ran after her.
She turned her head and still looked sad when Magni kneeled in front of her. I couldn’t hear what he told her, but he was holding her hands and had his head close to hers looking apologetic.
Mila listened and when he was done talking, she lifted her hand and placed it on his cheek.
They looked at each other and he said a few more words waiting for her reply. I was no great lip reader, but it looked like Mila spoke the words “I forgive you.”
Magni hugged her and rose up from the ground with Mila still in his arms. Her feet dangled over the ground and her arms were gripping fiercely around his neck. When he turned to me, I saw tears in his eyes. Magni had never looked more attractive to me than he did at that moment.
CHAPTER 36
Farewell Party
Magni
After being isolated in Alaska for more than a month, it was overwhelming to be back at the school. Boulder, Christina, Pearl, Khan, Laura, and I had all been invited to join the twenty children and their four teachers for a Christmas party. The celebration served as a farewell party as well. Some of the Motlander children were going home to family members for Christmas in a few days, and Shelly was leaving to start her psychology degree back in the Motherlands.
“I can’t tell you how grateful we are for all your help capturing the Nmen who crossed the border unauthorized.” Isobel was holding Laura’s hands and smiling at her.
“It was the least I could do after everything you’ve done for me.”
Isobel looked up when Hunter and Willow came up carrying plates and cutlery. “Can I help with anything?”
“No, Kya says that you’re the guest of honor and she just wants you to sit down and enjoy yourself.”
“That’s very kind of her, thank you, Willow.” Isobel leaned back when Hunter placed a plate in front of her. “Aren’t you excited that you have found your twin?”
The young man stopped and looked down at Isobel with his beautiful green eyes that matched his sister’s. “That depends on which day you ask me. Most of the time Willow is great, but she can be pretty moody too. Kya says it’s because she’s gone into puberty and that it’s all hormones.”
Isobel looked over at Willow, who was setting out knives and forks. “Willow dear, rolling your eyes is a bad habit and considered rude.”
“I’m sorry, Councilwoman, I didn’t mean for you to see that.”
I chuckled at the fact that Willow hadn’t regretted doing it, only that she’d been caught.
Pearl, who sat close to the girl, touched her elbow. “I remember going through puberty, Willow. Sometimes you can laugh and cry within the same minute and not know why. It will get better.” Her head turned to Hunter. “You will understand when it happens to you.”
The boy scoffed. “As long as my voice doesn’t crack like Solo’s.”
Shelly, who had just entered the room with a bowl of food, set it down on the table and looked to Hunter. “So you would rather have a boy’s voice for the rest of your life than go through the changes to have a man’s voice?”
“That’s not what I said.”
“You shouldn’t stress about it, Hunter, it’s natural and happens because of the rapid growth of the larynx and vocal cords. Think of your vocal cords as a harp that just grew in length. Now your brain has to learn how to play the new instrument, and the longer cords give off a deeper sound. It takes a little practice, but a cracking voice is merely proof that an adolescent boy’s brain hasn’t become completely proficient at coordinating its careful monitoring of the sounds coming from the vocal cords.”
“Geez, Shelly, I didn’t ask for a lecture.” Hunter shook his head. “You’re like a walking ancyclopedium.”
“I think you mean an encyclopedia,” she called after him when he walked off.
“There’s nothing wrong with being smart,” Isobel told Shelly. “We’re all excited to see what you’ll do with that brain of yours.”
Shelly looked after Hunter and bit her lip. “I’m hoping that studying psychology will make me less awkward.”
