I think I might be imagining the seduction that flows off his tongue when he speaks, but a quick glance at Elora’s widening smile tells me I’m not.
“I’ll see you soon?” she asks as Nox grabs the books.
“Yes,” I confirm, giving her a small wave and turning to walk out at Nox’s side. He glances down at me, his gaze lingering on my mouth as we walk. “What is it?” My fingers trace over my lips, assuming I must have remnants of the cookies on them.
“It’s just good to see you smiling, Sunshine.”
I kiss his arm before wrapping my hand around it, giving the muscles there a little squeeze. “Was your visit with the council alright?”
Nox heaves out an exaggerated exhale. “They are eager to see me returning to my heir apparent duties. I have a feeling these meetings are only going to increase in frequency. There have been some disturbances that my father is growing moreconcerned over in some towns bordering the Fae Kingdom.” His brows draw together, like he can see whatever those disturbances are off in the distance. Clearing his throat, he blinks the look away and catches my gaze with his. “I’m sorry, Rhea. I truly hoped that I would be eased back into these things so that I would have more time to properly show you around.”
“I understand.”
Nox smiles as his eyes trace over me before he leans down to kiss the side of my head.
“Do we have any other plans for today? Or can I dive into one of these books,” I question, looking eagerly at a green leather-bound book in the middle of the pile that Elora spent fifteen minutes raving about.
“About that,” he drawls, using his back to push open the door to the palace library. We turn to the right, walking down a hallway lined with large paintings on both sides. He opens his mouth to continue when a different voice echoes from farther down.
“Hello, Blondie. I heard you are ready to train.”
The training grounds are teeming with magic so thick that it’s hard to concentrate. The open field filled with thick blades of dark green grass, rolling hills and valleys and small ponds and mud pits dotted throughout, looks as if the finger of a large deity pushed the forest out of the way to make this spot. Trees line the oval-shaped perimeter, the canopied forest left in darkness compared to how brightly the unfiltered sun casts its rays over the open ground. It’s beautiful in an unexpected way, and I was grateful when Nox and Cassius didn’t bring attention to the audible gasp I made when we first arrived.
On the walk here, Cassius was all jokes and teasing energy as he recounted stories from his and Nox’s youth. I wasn’t sure if I had ever laughed as hard as I did when he told me about the time they drunkenly bet each other that they could catch a thrown dagger mid-air. Nox ended up slicing his palm deeply, and Cassius had bumped the dagger from its flight path only for the tip of it to slice into the skin at his temple. He had been too drunk to realize it and passed out before healing the wound, so a faint scar now permanently memorialized that night. The teasing mood is gone now though, Cassius’ face instead set seriously from where he watches me a few feet away.
Nox’s foot taps the inside of my ankle, encouraging me to widen my stance. “Good, Sunshine. Now, keep your knees bent so you have the ability to pivot and move at any moment.” His hands rest on my shoulders, slowly sliding down my arms. “Keep these muscles relaxed and lift your guard like I showed you.”
I, pathetically, am already huffing, my body coated in sweat under my new training clothes. I had thought Nox might choose to skip training for physical movement of a different kind when he first saw me in them, but after forcing himself to look away from me as he mumbled something under his breath, he turned back around, quickly braided my long hair, and stiffly led us out of his room. Cassius met us at the bottom of the stairs, whistling at me before breaking out into laughter at whatever look was on Nox’s face.
Nox walks in front of me, assessing my form thoroughly, like if I fail, the blame will fall to him. “These first few weeks will be about building up your muscle and stamina and learning the different defensive and offensive positions we call Forms. After that—”
“Nox? Nox, is that you?” a female voice shouts from behind as two silhouettes crest a small hill and begin making their way towards us. Their features become more distinguishableas they near, the golden light of the sun making the woman’s dark blonde hair glow, her pretty strands braided into a coronet around her head. She wears training clothes like my own—a white form-fitting, short-sleeved top over body-hugging black leggings. Matching black boots go up her calves as well. The man next to her is near Cassius’ height with short brown hair and a training outfit of all black, similar to Nox’s.
“Itisyou. Welcome home.” She throws her arms around Nox’s neck, barreling into his body so hard that he’s forced to take a step back as they laugh.
“Hey, Haylee. It’s good to see you,” he responds, reciprocating her hug.
Haylee. The faintest sensation of bitter cold seeps out of the hold I keep on my magic, strong enough to be felt even with the pendant on.Stupid envious magic, I curse internally, trying to tamp it back down. I cannot feeljealouswhen there is nothing to be jealous about. Yet, even with those rational thoughts floating in my mind, they are denied the ability to take root when Haylee drags her hand slowly down Nox’s arm, her fingers curling around his bicep.
“Your magic is flaring, Blondie. Take a deep breath,” Cassius whispers from my side, a gentle hand coming to rest on my shoulder.
I follow his instructions, my ears ringing as Haylee and Nox talk.Get yourself under control.
“Daje, glad to see you out and about. Done wallowing now?” The man that came with Haylee looks at Cassius, his deep blue eyes flickering as his lips narrow into a flat line. “Daje here is in love with Nox’s sister,” Cassius adds on for my benefit.
“Cass,” Daje warns, his tawny skin growing pink at his cheeks. Cassius shrugs, his hand sliding off of my shoulder when he feels me take a deeper breath. Daje’s eyes bounce from me toCassius and back again before he extends his hand out in front of me. “I don’t think we’ve met before. I’m Daje.”
“I’m Rhea. It’s nice to meet you.”
His hand is warm around mine, his grasp firm as he gives me a tight-lipped smile. His gaze then goes over my shoulder and up, his hand releasing mine right as Nox rests his own on my back.
“Rhea, I want you to meet Haylee. Haylee, this is Rhea.” She steps up next to Daje, my head tilting back so I can meet her gaze.
“Ah, sothisis the woman who has stolen our prince’s heart. A feat no one else can claim if rumors are to be believed.”
Daje and Cassius chuckle, but I stiffen at that term—stolen. As if Nox did not return my affections and instead was forced to be with me.
“She can’t steal what is laid at her feet.”
