Page 42 of Of Storm and Emerald
Stillfeelingalittledrained from her use of magic, Auraelia took her friend’s proffered arm as they walked toward the stairs that led back into the east wing of the castle.
“Soooo?” Piper bumped their shoulders together as she drew out the word.
“So, what?” She kept her face blank as she mimicked her friend.
Piper let out an exasperated sigh, “You’re no fun.”
“Nothing happened, Piper. We sat, ate, and talked.”
Piper gave her a sidelong glance, her face a picture of every depraved thought that was clearly running through her mind.
“Oh my goddess, do you think of nothing else? We atefood, Piper. Food.”
Piper scoffed, “See? No fun.”
Auraelia rolled her eyes, but there was a small smirk on her lips. “You’re incorrigible.”
“Yes, but you love me, regardless.”
Both women laughed and were still laughing when they saw a figure heading their direction from the stables.
“Who’s that?” Auraelia wondered aloud.
Piper squinted, but then immediately looked away as a small flush crept onto her cheeks.
When the person in question came into better view, Auraelia noticed the sun-bleached hair, without a single strand out of place despite the breeze, and recognized them immediately.
Aiden.
The closer he got to them the deeper Piper’s flush became.
“I see,” Auraelia said, feigning hurt feelings.
Piper snapped out of whatever trance she had been in, her face now the color of crimson roses. “You see what?”
“You’ve been hounding me aboutmycurrent relations to avoid sharing information aboutyours.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Piper scoffed, as she feigned indifference.
“Mm-hmm.” She gave Piper a sly look before turning to face the man heading their way. “Good afternoon, My Lord.” She gave a small nod in his direction.
“Your Highness. My Lady,” he responded, bowing at the waist–his eyes lingering on Piper a fraction longer than would be considered decent. When he realized that Auraelia noticed, he straightened quickly and cleared his throat. “Have you seen Prince Daemon?”
“Yes, we just left him sitting under the trees on the opposite end of the training field.”
“Thank you. If you’ll excuse me.”
When Auraelia nodded, signaling that he was indeed free to go, he bowed quickly and then hurried in the direction that they had just come from.
Both Piper and Auraelia turned, watching him scurry across the field.
When he was far enough away, she turned to Piper with a Cheshire smile. Piper, on the other hand, looked like a cat who had been caught with a bird in its mouth. “Spill.”
“I-I’m not sure what you’re talking about,” Piper stumbled over the words.
“Mm-hmm. You’re lucky that I need to get to this council meeting. But don’t think that you’re getting out of this conversation,Lady Piper.”
Piper let out an exasperated sigh. “Fine. But let's hurry, before your mother has both of our heads.”
