Page 14 of The Outcast
“Merci.” He was as handsome as I recalled, and I loved how the edges of his eyes crinkled when he smiled at me like he had thought about me too. “Thank you again for bringing me home back in August.”
I felt my cheeks flush red. “I got in a lot of trouble for staying the night, but it was worth it. I rarely get to go on adventures.”
“You got in trouble?”
I nodded. “My dad wasn’t happy. Don’t be surprised if he has a bone to pick with you.”
“A bone to pick?”
“It’s a saying. I thought you could look those up through your brain implant.”
“I can, but it will take me a few seconds.” He smiled. “I’ve got it now. Thank you for the warning. I’ll be prepared if he comes to pick bones with me.”
I laughed. “You’re a grown man. I’m sure you can handle a little fury from a protective father.”
“It’s not something that I have experience with, but I’ll take it as a cultural experience.”
I wished that we could talk about our kiss in the Northlands or I could ask him if he had thought about me these past five months. But there were too many people around for privacy and so we mingled with the group as people pulled us in different directions. My eyes kept finding Banni’s through the crowd, but when Freya caught me looking at him, I got nervous.
Freya, the daughter of Khan and Pearl, was my friend. But she was exceptionally perceptive with a sharp mind and her slightly tilted head and questioning lift of her eyebrow made me tighten my face with a “What?” expression. I didn’t need her knowing my secrets or revealing to Aubri that she had seen Banni and me exchanging longing gazes.
Being an instructor at the Explorer Academy was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me to do something out of the ordinary. It was even better than my original dream of becoming a firefighter, which had turned out to be impossible anyway. I couldn’t risk Aubri’s cutting me from my job as an instructor before it even began. But knowing my protective friend, she would do so if she thought me in danger of getting my heart broken.
I would have to control my emotions. After all, I wasn’t stupid. I knew perfectly well that no matter how good a kisser Banni was, he wasn’t husband material. Except in my dreams.
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CHAPTER 4
Planning
The Northlands, December 28th, 2466
Banni
I observed more than I spoke at the planning meetings and so did Sparrow. Sitting next to her, I leaned in and whispered while Thor spoke loudly with Aubri.
“Are all Northlanders this opinionated and argumentative?”
“No.” She gave me a secretive smile and whispered back, “It’s different with the power five. They were raised to be our future leaders, and not having an opinion was a luxury never afforded them.”
“The power five?”
“Thor is number one as the future ruler, then his sister Freya because it’s commonly known that she’s somewhat of a genius and very close to their father. Mason is number three as the son of Magni Aurelius. You wouldn’t know but Magni is a national hero. Anyway, Indiana and Aubri are number four and five.”
“Why is she number five when she’s Mason’s twin. Shouldn’t they be tied?”
Sparrow’s breath was warm and minty from the tea she was drinking. “For the same reason that Freya isn’t number one despite being the firstborn of Khan’s children.”
“Hmm… what about Indiana? I get that the four others are children of the ruler and his brother, but what’s Indiana’s superpower?”
“His father is a close advisor of Khan and also the biggest employer in the country. Alexander Boulder is innovative and gifted when it comes to business ventures. Their family is also a huge benefactor of the arts here in the Northlands. And five years ago, they opened a beautiful history museum. Christina is an archeologist, so history is both her work and passion.”
“I see.”
“What are you two whispering about?” Aubri asked with annoyance. “If you have something to say just say it.”
“No, we’re good,” I said quickly.
