Page 104 of A Touch of Stars and Stones
“As Novandia,” Ten adds.
“Yep. And she’s not on your side right now either, Ten.”
They share a pointed look that makes me wonder exactly what happened between them when they decided to go fight with each other.
“It’s going well then.” Micah’s tone is sarcastic.
“It is what it is. Unless anyone wants to change their minds?” Ten asks and looks between Calix and Micah.
“Thank you. All of you. In case that’s not been clear. But I don’t think we’re going to be the problem, Ten.” I keep my voice soft.
“Great. We stick to the plan, then. We take it into our own hands to ensure that Ever is ready. And hope that she doesn’t hand us our asses doing it,” Calix states, then looks to me. “In the morning, you’re mine, Ever.”
Ten’s body flinches at the words, stiffening as his jaw flexes and shoots his eyes to Calix with a warning look that sets my blood humming.
He looks… mad. And with his swollen eye and the abrasions on his face, I can see the intimidation, the threat, he carries.
“Hey, what did I say?” Calix looks at his friend, then at me.
“Nothing. Just…” Ten relaxes his shoulders and drops his cold stare in favour of his fork, but doesn’t eat another bite. “I’ll see you after your training.” He goes back to his plate.
Right.
Dismissing us.
Calix gives me a questioning look but stands and shrugs his shoulders.
“You need me to call on you to make sure you’re up?” Micah checks.
“I’ll get her. Unless you want to volunteer for training too, Star?”
“Uh, no. She’s all yours.” He grins at me. “Good luck with the early mornings.” He stands and heads towards the kitchen. He still hasn’t eaten.
And then, it’s just us.
Me and Ten.
“Tha—”
“You better get to bed. Calix won’t take it easy on you tomorrow.”
I stare at him. His face is devoid of any sign of feeling or emotion, and I can’t read him.Well fine.
“Look, I’m grateful. For all of this, for helping me. But you’re acting like you did before when you went all moody on me and closed off. Just tell me what’s going on. There’s nobody else here.”
He pushes his plate away and looks at me.
“I’m sorry. I’m just mad.”
“At Calix for punching you in the face?” I check.
“Well, no, not that.”
“At me?” I press. “For what I did to you?” The worry swarms, sending nervous tendrils down my arms.
“No, zuns, no. Ever, that’s why I’m doing all of this. I’m on your side, and believe me, I’m fucking furious that you’re the last one to know anything around here. It’s not right.”
“But I hurt you.” I lean forward on my forearms, resting on the table, and look at his hands, now splayed out in front of me. It would be so easy to take one of them and hold it.
