Page 56 of Riftborne
I reminded myself that I hated him.
CHAPTER 21
Osta was certainly takingadvantage of my newfound free time. She convinced me to join her in the park for a morning walk before work, insisting that I clear my mind. That was her way of putting it, at least.
What she really wanted was to shake off the bad mood that had been plaguing me for a week. So, we walked along the furthest path, avoiding the crowded center. I looked down as a frog jumped from a lily pad into a small pond.
“Still no word from the General?” Osta asked over her shoulder.
“Of course not.” I scowled.
Nearly the entire Guard had been dispatched to Stormshire, following some undisclosed incident near the border.
“I’m at the mercy of his schedule. Whatever that may be.”
Laryk hadn’t found it necessary to inform me about the disruption to our training. That only became apparent when I arrived at the gym a few days earlier and found it empty.
“I’m sure he’ll return soon. And he’ll probably have wanted you to practice in his absence.” Osta tsked, running her fingers over thetips of fringed tulips. Ever since the ball, Laryk could do no wrong in her eyes. Which was infuriating.
“Well, then he should have left me some correspondence,” I mumbled, kicking a stray rock across the dirt path. Truthfully, I had been practicing on my own, but hadn’t seen much progress, which was one of the reasons for my sour state.
Osta hummed to herself.
“And the studio. Has Thearna pulled the stick out of her ass yet?” I asked, nudging Osta’s arm.
“I don’t think she could even if she tried,” she said, shrugging her shoulders.
Osta had been in a constant state of euphoria ever since the ball, and it seemed that tension had flared up at the studio in response. Thearna’s absence from the guest list appeared to be a source of contention. And Osta was never the best at hiding her excitement. I could see it so clearly in my mind–the vessels in Thearna’s neck pulsing with every word Osta muttered about the event.
“I know she’s threatened by me. But instead of ignoring my suggestions, perhaps she shouldlistento me more,” She cooed, examining her nails. Thearna’s anger seemed only further inflamed by Osta’s newfound boldness.
She had yet to hear from any of the Nobility that Laryk introduced her to, but it didn’t come as too much of a surprise. Everyone was far more concerned with the sudden absence of the Guard. Osta was confident that one of the ladies would offer her a job. I just hoped she wouldn’t push Thearna off the edge before that happened.
“I suppose this is where we part ways,” I said reluctantly as we reached one of the arched gateways of the park.
Osta shared my sentiments with a pout. “See you tonight. Wish me luck.”
“I may need to keep the little luck I have for myself.”
Things with Ma were… back to their normal intensity, or lack thereof. Now that she knew I had continued my training with the Guard, we simply didn’t speak.
I spent the morning grinding capsaicin. The dried chilies we extracted it from were brutal to work with. My eyes had been stinging and watery all day. Even though I knew better, I couldn’t help but feel that it was a form of punishment.
I sifted the powder into a brewing sachet and dropped the it into a cauldron that was already heating infusion oils, watching as the red powder began to bleed out into the shimmering liquid.
The front door chimed, cutting through my thoughts. I looked up to Ma, who was filling vials with an amber liquid.
“I’ll go,” I said, giving her a small smile before heading to the front of the shop and untying my apron.
“How can I help you?” I asked as I rounded the corner.
“How charming.” The voice sent my heart racing.
My eyes shot up to see Laryk leaning over the front desk, an amused smile on his lips. My eyes widened momentarily, taking in the tight leather uniform he was wearing. The sight wasn’t terrible…
I shook my head and replaced my shock with narrowed eyes.
“What are you doing here?” I whispered, rushing towards him. My head snapped back, making sure Ma hadn’t followed me to the front.
