“Yes, go break your fast,” Dhoona said. “We will see you later.”
I headed back to the east wing listening to Blue chattering about how amazing I’d looked ducking and diving to avoid being hit. Keyton offered a few observations too. I filed them away to use in the next session, a grin tugging at my lips.
I could do this.
I could hold my own.
“Araz would be proud of you,” Blue said.
My smile dropped. The ache that his name evoked filled my chest, siphoning away all the feel-good endorphins the training session had produced.
“Hey.” Blue lightly touched my face. “We’re not going to avoid saying his name. We won’t let the pain force us to erase him.”
My throat pinched. “You never called him by his name.”
“I will now, chick. I won’t forget.”
I swallowed past the lump in my throat. “Fucking hell, Blue…” I blinked back tears.
“Blue is right,” Keyton said softly. “We honor Priti and Araz by speaking of them. By remembering them.”
I knew that, of course. But it was still so raw, and each time I allowed my mind to dwell on what I’d lost, it was like losing him all over again.
“We’ve got this, chickadee. We’re gonna make the bastard that took him from us pay.”
Yes. That was something we could definitely agree on.
Everyone was alreadyat breakfast by the time I joined them. The clink of cutlery and the delicious smell of sausage and bacon filled the air, and my stomach cramped with hunger.
I’d showered and thrown on an embroidered tunic, pairing it with wide-legged pants. My hair was still damp, and I’d braided it to keep it out of the way. Fresh and rejuvenated, muscle aches from earlier all but gone, I joined my friends for the first meal of the day.
Dharma pulled out the chair beside her. “The porridge is delicious. You need to try it.” She piled bacon onto a plate and set it on the floor next to Ida, who was stretched out beside us.
I took the seat, and Blue hopped onto the table and headed for the sausages.
“Blue,” Keyton called softly. “Here.” He placed a plate of neatly cut-up sausage in front of my anchor.
Blue looked up at him, nose twitching. “I think I love you.”
Keyton smiled and added a hunk of warm buttered bread to Blue’s plate.
“Yep, I definitely love you,” Blue said.
I spooned porridge into a bowl then added syrup. The first spoonful was delicious, warm and sweet with a hint of cinnamon.
“Good, huh?” Dharma said.
I nodded, mouth full. I wasn’t usually a fan of porridge unless Nani made it, but this was…it actually reminded me of hers.
I was halfway done when Chandra joined us, taking the seat opposite me. “Good morning, all. I trust you slept well.”
“Like a log,” Joe said.
“A log that snores,” Bina said. “I could hear you through the wall.”
“What?” Joe sat up straight, brows pinching. “I do not!” He turned to Mahira. “Tell her, babe.”
Mahira winced. “You know lying makes me uncomfortable.”
