Page 57

Chapter

Thirty-Eight

ARA

“I heard they want to put on a show for Dar’s benefit.” Joel is walking down the corridor with me. He waits for my response.

I grin. It’s funny to think of celebrations in my brother’s honor when the man I know hates standing in the spotlight.

Though he’s probably used to it now since it’s been two years since he took over from Dad.

I bunch up my brows, frowning at the thought that there is this whole other side of my brother I barely know.

I have never seen him in an official setting.

Suddenly, there is a distance between us I never noticed before. Like my lies widened a crack to a canyon.

How will he react when I come clean after Picking?

“All the more reason to stay away,” I mumble.

“I heard they planned some easy competitions and wanted the five best for each category.” He eyes me from the side.

Despite trying to hold back, I cornered Arkwright’s attention on the obstacle course. I enjoy climbing too much. I often forget to stick to the mediocre performance I have been aiming for. “They probably planned to show off your squirrel act as well,” Joel continues.

“Too bad,” I say dryly, thinking of the drama that would have caused.

“Arkwright won’t be happy is all I’m saying,” Joel interjects.

“Yeah, but Dar seeing me would be worse. And it’s not like I’m off twiddling my thumbs,” I counter.

“True,” Joel says. “I’ll try to slow Darren down a bit, but I’m not sure it will work.”

“Thank you, Joel.” I spontaneously hug him.

I took on the errands of three other runners, earning me a favor from each and a busy day that, unfortunately, makes it impossible to enjoy the general’s visit.

A damn shame.

“It’s the best I can hope for,” I tell him while I ease back. I send him one last smile before I set off toward my first destination, whistling.

The first chore of the day isn’t one at all.

I’m helping out at the Aeries coop, which houses the Strixes.

I help to cart in food for the young Strixes, who aren’t yet able to fly.

It’s a bloody business, and I have to temper my guilt at sending rabbits and other small prey into their boxes, knowing what awaits them.

The Strixes have to eat something too after all.

Being around the birds afterward, cuddling and caring for them makes up for it, though.

Their blue eyes are like glowing orbs against their dark plumes.

They are incredibly fluffy and incredibly affectionate since they are used to humans.

Their magic is a soft flame, and I’m glad I have enough control over my curse to pet them without worrying about drawing from their magic.

After the Strixes, I make my way to the weapons chamber.

A grumpy old man greets me and snorts derisively after running his eyes over me, clearly not impressed with my stature.

I don’t take it personally, given that I’ll probably cart around weapons with a combined weight of a Rukh or more in the next hours.

When I smile and shrug, he fights a smile.

His face is wrinkled and his hair gray, but his posture is straight, his shoulders broad, and his arms thickly muscled.

And after clambering up and down ladders, as well as sharpening and polishing weapons, I know why.

I arrange and sort for hours and decline the offered lunch break, fearing I might run into Dar if I head into the main building.

Keeping up my smile and not complaining earns me the weapon master’s begrudging respect. Work becomes easier from there on since he starts talking about his life and recounts funny stories from his time as an active rider.

Soon, everything sparkles and shines and is back in its best working condition. He claps me on the back with a smile. My arms are three times their weight, but I made a new friend.

I walk back to the main building, staying in the shadows while crossing the courtyard. Despite it being a detour, I take the route through the sleeping quarters instead of through the main hall. I went through too much trouble to stay out of Darren’s sight. I won’t risk running into him now.

The way to the library is familiar, and the corridor is even more deserted than on every other day, but I’m still relieved when I step through the high wooden doors and into the scent of dust, paper, and leather. I’m pretty sure there is no risk of running into my brother in here.

The library is silent around me and seems empty, apart from the librarian who greets me at the main desk.

He shows me a stack of books waiting to be returned to the shelves, and I get to work.

Many of the librarians and runners who help with this have some kind of gift that enables them to put books back onto the high shelves without needing the giant ladders, but since I’m not that fortunate, I’m once more climbing up and down, this time with books in my arms.

My muscles are starting to protest, my movements much slower than earlier in the weapon’s chamber, and I dread tomorrow.

I’m on top of the ladder, stretching and leaning over to put a big leather book back when the world does a slow turn around me. I wobble and curse, tightening my hold on the rung of the ladder, my knuckles turning white.

I close my eyes and concentrate on holding on, breathing deep and slow until the world steadies again.

Missing lunch, the constant work, as well as a sleepless night, are starting to take their toll, it seems.

“Are you all right up there?” a voice asks, and I groan. Trust me to nearly faint and fall off a ladder when someone is around to witness it.

“Yeah, I’m great.” I keep my eyes closed, wishing whoever was down there would leave.

“Doesn’t look like it to me.”

“How do you know I’m not simply enjoying the air up here or the view?” I quip.

The man laughs. I open my eyes and find him looking up at me, his laugh infectious. I haven’t seen him before.

I slowly make my way down the ladder, letting my weight rest against it while I go, my legs still unsteady. A dragon will freeze solid before I ask this stranger for help.

A cool breeze on my back alerts me to the fact that my shirt is creeping up.I groan when I realize it got stuck on a nail poking out from the ladder. Grumbling, I try to free it one-handed. When that doesn’t work, I balance my weight against the ladder, trying to get it free.

One minute, I am up on the ladder trying to tug my shirt free; the next, I’m falling, blinded by a shirt that is now halfway over my head. I brace for impact, but two hands grab my waist and stop my fall.

I tug my shirt down, my face hot, and look up at the stranger who kept me from face-planting and is currently doing his best to stifle his laughter.

“Thank you,” I mumble.

“Oh, I thank you. That was far more entertaining than all the shows they put on for us today.” He grins, flashing two dimples.

He has unruly dark blond hair and piercing blue eyes, and since he seems to be here with my brother, that is my cue to get going.

I shake my head at him, my cheeks still flaming.

“I didn’t mean to embarrass you, but what man doesn’t enjoy an angel falling into his arms?” He sends me a wink. I roll my eyes at his cheesy line, making him laugh again.

“Not good?” he asks.

I shake my head. “Definitely room for improvement,” I state and laugh when he acts deeply wounded.

“How about I hang around and practice?” he asks.

I hear the pounding drum in the distance.

Damn, is it that late already?

I curse colorfully, making the man’s brows rise in astonishment. I grab the little cart the books have been on and shove the two books left on there into the next opening, not caring that it’s not where they belong.

My new acquaintance chuckles while watching me.

“Sorry, I’m late!” I toss over my shoulder, not waiting for an answer before I hurry back to the desk.

I race to my room, which is thankfully empty, and retrieve the dress from the bottom of my pack, the same one I wore on my trip to the tavern with Sloan.

I pull my shirt over my head, loosen the wrap, and tug on the dress instead.

The pants stay since the dress is long enough to hide them, and it’ll make climbing more comfortable.

Within minutes, I’m out the window, thankfully catching a guard’s break right away. After scaling the fence, I take off in a run.

I’m panting and puffing by the time I reach Sloan’s house. I unravel my braid and glance down to check my appearance. My dress is still rumpled from being stored so carelessly, but I can’t do anything about that. Running my fingers through my hair, I take a moment to catch my breath, then I knock.

Please let Darren not be here yet.

Sloan opens, and I instantly know something is wrong. She bites her lip and doesn’t meet my eyes. My gaze flies past her, and my brother’s face comes into focus. Shit.

Dar probably looks composed and cool to most people, but I see the slight twitch in his left eye and recognize the set of his mouth. He’s pissed.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

My stomach plummets. He knows.

My first urge is to turn around and run. Run as fast as I can and then hide until he gives up looking. Only I know he won’t. He would simply wait at the academy until I showed my face, and that would be even worse.

“I guess you want to…” yell at me. “…talk to me, right?” I ask.

I receive a stiff nod, and this only confirms it. I’m so deep in trouble it’s not even remotely funny. Fuck.

Darren turns and walks down the corridor to my uncle’s study. At least he doesn’t yell at me in front of everyone.

Sloan catches my arm when I pass her.

“I didn’t tell him. He already knew when he got here,” she hisses.

I give her a small nod and a reassuring smile, trying to hide the nerves beneath. I believe her, and I’m thankful for everything she did to help me.

The open door of the study comes closer, looming in front of me like a trap about to go off.

Two more days. I would only have needed two more damn days.