Page 50 of The Warrior
I snorted and stuffed more food into my mouth.
Right then, Archer walked in. “Could you two keep it down? The kids are meditating in the other room.”
“Is Laura with them?” I asked Archer, who snatched a roll from my plate and took a bite.
“She went to the lake with Kya. They should be back soon.”
“Hey Archer, can I ask you something?” Boulder said.
“Sure.”
“Would you consider me your friend?”
“Sure. Why?”
“How about Magni? Would you consider him your friend?”
Archer looked from Boulder to me with a thoughtful expression. “Sort of.”
“What makes you hesitate?”
Archer scratched his arm. “I don’t know.”
“Is it because you’re not sure if Magni sees you as a friend?”
“I guess.”
“He does!” Boulder lifted his cup. “And he’s very grateful that we saved his ass last night.”
“No problem.” Archer smiled. “Gotta get back to the class.”
When the door closed, I frowned at Boulder. “I can speak for myself.”
“You haven’t made a new friend in ten years; it was time.”
“I don’t need you to find me friends.”
“He was already your friend, you just couldn’t see it.”
The sound of voices from outside made me look out the window to see Kya and Laura walking back to the school.
“How are you feeling?” Laura asked when I walked outside to meet her.
“Fine.” My mind was analyzing every little signal from her. She didn’t look hurt, but she avoided eye contact and seemed guarded.
“Hey, Magni,” Kya greeted me and smiled at Laura. “I’ll see you later.”
I waited for Kya to enter the school before I spoke. “You came back.”
Laura met my eyes briefly before she looked down. “I did.”
“Are you staying?”
“No.”
Boulder had talked about an inner ocean and in that moment, I was sucked down under by a huge wave. “Laura.” My voice was ashy and it hurt to speak. I couldn’t remember our conversation from yesterday but I knew I’d been in a bad state. Laura wasn’t like Christina or Pearl. She wasn’t interested in my feelings or emotions. Northlander women wanted their mates to be strong and tough. Not whining in a drunken state. “You didn’t have to call Finn,” I managed to say despite the huge knot in my throat.
“I had to dosomething.”
