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She tugged my hair so I would look up and started to braid the crown.

“But baby steps. Let’s start with one block.” She continued her lesson— if you could call it that. She was the worst tutor I had ever had. “Just one block, and we can consider this session a success. Remember, everyone sucks at first. You got this.”

If she said that one more time, I would have killed her.

Apparently, the session was unsuccessful because what does building a wall in your mind even mean? I didn’t know, and I couldn’t build one.

Griffin was plating meat when we approached the fire. He handed River and me a plate and gestured towards the food offerings.

“Squirrel, rabbit,” Griffin indicated to both with tongs, “…and apples.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, and his cheek twitched in response.

I shook my head and looked around. No one else had started eating. Despite the rumbling in my stomach from the delicious smells, I felt more comfortable waiting for everyone to eat. I hadn’t done anything to secure this food.

“Please don’t tell me you’re always this selfless.” River pushed past me, gladly filling her plate with food. “Utensils?”

Griffin shook his head.

“I can’t believe you Fire-Touched, didn’t bring utensils,” River said, sitting on a root with her plate. “Are you actually able to eat with your hands like lesser beings?”

Fire-Touched was slang for the elite— Fire Users and their inner circle. Those fortunate enough to bask in the glow of Fire. I had never considered it an insult, but the way River used it, it was definitely meant as one.

Griffin ignored River. Taking my plate from my hand, he filled it with both types of meat and potatoes. He walked over to where River sat and waited until I sat before handing it over and returning to build his own.

I don’t know if it was my hunger or the exceptional cooking, but the food was as delicious as it smelled. I ate as fast as I could, but eating with my hands was surprisingly tricky and took time to get used to. I alternated between ripping the meat off with my fingers and tearing it off with my teeth.

River didn’t let the lack of utensils stop her from devouring her meal either. Yet, she still managed to look presentable. None of the juices ran down her chin and dropped onto her leggings like they did with mine.

“Goddess, you’re a mess.” She giggled when a potato broke halfway to my face and exploded down my tunic. “They’re going to see right through you in the villages. We need to toughen you up!”

I guffawed. “Not being used to eating with my hands makes me, what? Soft?”

She nudged me with her shoulder. “No! It makes you prissy,” she said, flashing me a smile to show she meant no offense.

I still grumbled and leaned further over my plate, trying to eat more like an animal. Less prissy.

“Atta, girl!” River slapped me on the back, laughing when I let out an oomph. “See? Prissy.”

I was about to retort when Aiden sat on the other side of River, looking over her to talk to me. “Want to tell us about your Earth Magic?”

I choked down the half-chewed potato in my mouth and jerked my head in Aiden’s direction. The question wasn’t asked loudly, but I knew everyone had heard it and were all listening for my response. I’d expected this to happen, but I had hoped for more time.

I put my plate on the floor, my appetite soured, and clasped my hands together, trying to hide their shaking. My eyes swept the rest of the group. As expected, they were all looking at me.

My panicked gaze stopped on Griffin. His hair was pulled tight to his nape, letting me see more of his face as it glowed orange in the fire light. It made him appear more welcoming. Plus, he already knew and hadn’t judged me, staying firmly on my side, and had even kept it from his team, proving that I could trust him.

“Let’s have this conversation after Kaia’s done eating,” Griffin demanded, looking right back. He stood with his legs braced and arms crossed as he stared us down.Stared me down. Because he was only looking at me.

“No. It’s fine. I need to get this out,” I said. “I’m okay. I can’t eat anymore.”

He must have seen the truth in that because he nodded. He didn’t lose any of the intensity, but he relented, nonetheless. I sent him a small smile and turned back to the group, who were all taking in the interaction between Griffin and me.

“Did you know?” E.Z. burst out, sitting up from where he was inhaling his food to shoot a confused look at Griffin. “You knew she had Earth, didn’t you?”

“That was not me. That’s all I know.” Griffin raised his hands defensively, then gestured towards the apple tree behind me.

Griffin stood over us, grinding his jaw, looking as intimidating as always. Despite that, it was easier to look at him than anyone else. For one moment, I showed Griffin my worry and fear and didn’t care that he saw. The strength and reassurances he sent back made me all mushy.