“You’re a Moonveil,” I said, turning away before the weight of his gaze could break me.
The silence between us bristled with things unsaid. I could feel him studying me, each second thick with tension and expectation, unhurried, as if he already knew how close I was to surrendering, how much I was breaking inside.
He opened his mouth like he meant to say something but nothing came. Instead, a rough cough scraped out of his throat, sharp and uncontrollable, as if the words had lodged there and cut off his breath.
He took a deep breath, then finally said, “I wouldn’t do anything that would harm you.” And I knew he meant it.
I closed my eyes, drawing strength from the God of Solvir for the words I was about to speak. When I opened them again, I met Lorik’s bright eyes.
“I...” I started, my heart and body trying to change the words that were about to come out of my mouth. “I... want you to stay away.”
Without hesitation, Lorik responded. “And then I will.”
Lorik brushed past me, his toned arm grazing mine as he walked by. I closed my eyes at the brief contact, skin tingling and yearning for more, the ache for the dangerous closeness we’d shared before returning as strong as ever.
Then a voice cut through my thoughts. It was Tran. “Are you OK? What did he want?”
I quickly opened my eyes and turned around to face Tran.
“Yes, I am,” I swallowed hard. “Nothing I cannot handle by myself.”
Tran raised an eyebrow as I quickly looked away from him to find Ugo and Lorik fighting. Lorik
looked like death itself. Throwing punches and kicks with the intention of breaking bones. “Whatever you told him got him very worked up,” Tran said mockingly.
I walked back to the library with Tran. We were going to meet with Rowan and Shakari to review the trials strategy. When we got there, they were nowhere to be found.
We then walked to the Solphire Tower. Shakari and Rowan were in the common area, lying on a couch, kissing. Tran and I stood in front of them. Tran cleared his throat to make them aware of our presence, but they didn’t flinch.
“Guys, stop!” I said loudly, and annoyed.
Shakari stepped back and looked at me, reading all over me. I wasn’t in my right self. “Sorry,” I apologized. “But we were going to meet at the library.”
“I know, but we were done studying,” Rowan responded. “We know the strategy for the trials too well. Get through the first two trials during the night so we have time to recharge our magic during the day. Then, we have enough time during the day to defeat the dragon illusion for our third trial.”
I just gasped in anger, but an anger they didn’t deserve.
Shakari looked at me, knowing something was off. She looked at Tran and back at me. “What did he do?” Shakari asked.
“Don’t look at me,” Tran said, raising his hand up in the air, pleading innocence. “The princess was talking to the mysterious, lethal Moonveil.”
I gave Tran a death look.
“I am fine, I am just tired. I will take a shower and sleep,” I said flatly. “I am sorry, I am not feeling it today. Good night.”
I turned around, and before I got to my room, Shakari cut the path in front of me.
“What is going on?” She asked me, clearly expecting an answer. She knew me better than my own mother.
“I am tired,” I responded. “I am sorry I was such an ass back there.”
“No, it’s not just being tired,” Shakari spat. “I know you. You look... defeated.” “Yes, I am clearly defeated. This whole legion is just too much.”
“No, you love the legion. You are obsessed with the trials. You want to strategize, plan, and study. You might get beaten here and there, but you live for this challenge. This is... different.”
I stood in silence, her golden gaze examining me up close.
“It’s Lorik Draventh, right?” She said, brushing her golden hair back as my heart stopped in my chest.