I wasn’t going to run after him. Closing my eyes, I held my hand out and hoped like hell the dagger was still connected to me.Come back to me.
Cool metal and a heavy weight settled in my palm, and I grinned as I opened my eyes. My gaze skated over the dagger as I heard a snarling sound in the distance. Deciding to wait for him, I leaned against the closest tree and tapped the flat edge of the dagger against my palm as he approached.
“Have a nice run?” I quipped.
I couldn’t help it. Sarcasm just slipped out on instinct with him.
He rolled his eyes in return, but I swear I saw the tiniest curve at the corners of his lips before he admitted, “Gabe told me that the dagger returned to you on its own, so I needed to test it out to make sure that it can’t be separated from you if someone tries to take it. I need to inform Noah of it when we get to his building.”
Wow, he was actually explaining himself to me. Color me shocked.
It was like he caught himself the second I had the thought because he sighed heavily. “Let’s go. Noah has better things to do than wait around for you.”
And we were officially back to the sly insults. The worst part? I was a lot more comfortable with that version of him than the one that treated me with respect and as a peer. I wasn’t sure what that said about me.
I walked to his side, holding the dagger out for him, a sly smile turning the corner of my lips up. “Are you sure you don’t want to try to take it from me again? It’s nice seeing that even inanimate objects prefer me over you.”
His cold gray eyes slid to mine as I grinned at him. “Shut up, Princess.”
KIERAN
Ithought I’d explored every part of this camp, but I realized I apparently hadn’t as Steele led me down a hidden path I didn’t recognize. It was near the main hub of the camp but was sequestered down a separate, smaller stone road that was sheltered by thick pine trees. A light drizzle began to mist over us, and I was suddenly very thankful for the fabric of the long-sleeve shirt Steele had thrown at my face, knowing I would’ve been miserable in a regular top as it dried.
The tension between Steele and me was anything but comfortable, but it had at least lessened enough that I was able to get lost in my thoughts, curbing some of my anxiety as we made our way to meet my new instructor. I was thankful for that at least. It definitely beat stewing in fury every second we were in each other's presence.
I bit down on my bottom lip nervously. I held the dagger in a loose grip, the weapon becoming an unexpected source of comfort in an otherwise nerve-wracking situation.
“What should I expect today?” I asked Steele, my voice mirroring the level of seriousness I felt. I hoped he would answer me sincerely instead of offering some sarcastic retort, but I wasn’t really sure where things stood at present between us.
“In Alfemir they have placement tests for affinities, right?” he questioned. “We do similar things here—it will help Noah know what to focus on in your lessons. We need to figure out if you have value to the Rebellion.”
I didn’t answer, instead focusing on the steady presence of my dagger, trying to build my confidence for this test. I had something to offer. I knew it. I just needed to connect to that part of me. Whatever it was.
“Worried about working too hard today, Princess?” Steele taunted after a stretch of silence, his voice filled with annoyance as he looked down at me with a critical light to his cold gaze. We turned a corner along the stone pathway as I rolled my eyes.
I wouldn’t let him rile me up right before meeting Noah, so I forced myself to take a breath and blow it out before responding, “No, that’s not it at all, Steele.”
Silence filled the space between us once more, but I wasn’t complaining. We made it to the end of the pathway to see a small, quaint building sheltered among the pines. The building was cabin-like on the outside, made of heavy lumber that fit the surroundings perfectly, and it featured a small covered porch that had three steps leading up to a large green door. Something about it oozed a warm and inviting energy.
I continued forward a few steps before realizing Steele wasn’t following. I turned to offer him a confused look, finding him staring at me with a scrunched brow, like he was trying to work out a puzzle in his mind.
“If it's not about dreading the hard work it’s going to take, why do you seem all fucked up over this?”
His brash nature was something I had quickly grown accustomed to, so I let it slide off my back as I stared at him. I wasn’t sure if he was trying to goad me into an argument to fuck me up before this important meeting, but I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe heactuallywanted to know.
“Because I suffered the five years of failed placement tests, never connecting with an affinity. I had to live with the full weight of the judgment of all of the angels in Alfemir that came with it too…” I trailed off for a second, letting a heavy breath fall from my lips. “It puts me a little on edge to do something similar again in a place where Ireallywant to build my future. Contrary to what you seem to think, Iwantto be useful here. I want to feel like I belong for once, Steele. All of that hinges on this meeting.”
A flash of surprise filled his gaze as a wave of embarrassment hit me at the vulnerability I’d shown him once again.Had I really just admitted that to him?I probably shouldn’t have revealed that tidbit of my history when he already thought I was useless. After all, the man was used to living with someone who had a dead affinity, and he was obviously powerful in his own right as a commander. For the first time, it hit me that I had no clue if he had an affinity himself.
Before he could offer a response to my heartfelt admission, the door behind us opened with a heavy thud. I turned to find an older man standing in the entrance of the building, a small welcoming smile warming his expression. Immediately, I categorized him as older than Amelia, but his relaxed and slightly jovial energy—there was a sparkle of amusement aimed at Steele in his green gaze—seemed to make him appear younger. I wasn’t sure what he found funny, but I certainly wanted to know.
His short silver hair was styled away from his face, the longer part hitting his shoulders in the back and brushing over the top of the long black robe he wore. The robe was paired with matching pants and loafers, and he looked like the epitome of relaxation and centeredness.
“Noah,” Steele greeted with a sharp nod. “Good to see you. This is Kieran.”
“Hi,” I offered with a small, polite smile, inclining my head slightly.
“Wonderful to meet you, please come out of the rain.” He motioned to the porch as I made my way up the few steps.
