Oak winked at me as I arrived. I’d need to tell him what I’d told Creek. Cedar glared at me. Lady Kitsune either didn’t see any of this or ignored it.
The six of us and our instructor had met where we had the day before, but once we were all there, Lady Kitsune moved us away from the other groups to one side of the main gates. “From now on, we’ll meet here when doing our group work.” Kitsune was all business.
“There is no one way to Bond with your Lumani,” Lady Kitsune began. “But over the many years that the Bondings have been happening we’ve learned several things that help. Exercise helps to clear the mind and can be one way to Bond with your Lumani. Similarly, meditation, whether moving or still, is also a way to connect, as that helps to center oneself.” She pursed her lips, as if somehow what she suggested so far should be enough, and any further options were less desirable. “Yet, it may not be a clear mind or still soul that one needs to connect with their Lumani. What seems to hold true is that a True-Bonding often happens when one is doing an activity that speaks deeply to them and their Lumani. This could be swimming or solving complex problems. It could be writing a letter to a loved one or an act of creativity: painting or singing and such. It could even be doing something dangerous or exciting like engaging in combat, as well as…” She cleared her throat. “…other ways. There are many ways, and what you need to figure out is what will work best for you.”
“Other ways?” Oak said with a grin. “Care to elaborate?” His sidelong look at me made it clear he hoped there was one way it might happen.
“Ah, yes, well. Some Chosen in the past have engaged in various… activities, which are not recommended, but have been known to cause a True-Bond.”
“Like sex?” Oak said plainly. Then he looked at me and smiled. Oh yes, he needed to have “the conversation” very soon indeed.
Lady Kitsune glared at him, tight lipped, but still nodded. Her entire demeanor making it clear what she thought of that as an option.
“I’ve heard of Bonding happening while a person was playing pranks on another Chosen.” This from Poplar. “Is that true?”
“It is.” And again, Lady Kitsune did not elaborate nor give any indication she would… ever. “You must find what works for you, BUT!” She raised a rigid finger. “Do not engage in such activities. We will follow a set course of classes and exercises which have been known to work in most cases. Onlyifthat doesn’t workmightwe consider other options.”
“Got it,” Oak said, but his grin was saying he was certain he knew what would work for him.
I just shook my head.
And so began a morning of calisthenics and classes to work our bodies and minds and “open our souls” to the Bonding.
By lunch I was already tired and mentally drained. The food helped to pick me up a little bit, but I was still somewhat off for the afternoon. As Auwei had warned, I was quite exhausted by the end of my first full day at Silverveil.
It did rain that afternoon, but then the clouds had cleared. By the time I’d had dinner I was ready for a bath and a bed. Still, I lingered outside, climbing that lookout tower from earlier, to watch the sunset.
That’s where Pebble found me.
Chapter 7
I sawhim coming from the corner of my eye, tentative and hesitant. He paused at the base of the stairs up to the tower, but then, after a moment, something seemed to solidify in him and he marched up the steps to me.
“Ah… Birch?” At least he wasn’t calling me Legs. “I… I just wanted to apologize for how my table treated you at breakfast today.”
Hewas apologizing? He hadn’t done anything wrong. He’d been a gentleman. It was Creek and the other boys who’d been a little too forward. I looked over at Pebble. He was… well scrawny was the best word to describe his build. I doubted many girls here would look twice at him. Yet, once again something in his eyes caught my attention, a firm but tender determination. Something about it matched what I felt in my soul, my drive to become a Noble.
“Why are you apologizing for them?” I asked, curious.
He looked away and seemed to search all around him for an answer. “I just… don’t think women should be treated that way.”
I smiled. Yup, I liked this one. “How should they be treated?”
“With respect and honor, as an equal.” Those soft brown eyes flashed up to look at me for the briefest of moments before looking away. “You are beautiful, yes, but I’ve learned that looks don’t mean much. It’s how a person treats another person that counts.”
He was right. And he was being very respectful at the moment, which made me like him all the more. I pushed off from the railing I was leaning on and went to him. A finger under his chin lifted his face as I leaned down and gave him a soft, chaste kiss upon — what turned out to be — supple and pleasant lips. “Thank you,” I breathed afterward. But I also felt the need to let him know that I still didn’t want anything with any man right now. “When this is all done and we’re both Bonded, come and find me.”
He blushed a rather stunning shade of crimson, edging on violet, and nodded, seemingly unable to speak. I returned to the railing and Pebble left without another word.
When I heard steps on the stairs a moment later, I thought he’d returned, but I turned to see Oak approaching.
“Someone in the Rock class has already Bonded,” he said, as he came to lean on the railing next to me, very close.
I’d noticed a bit of a hubbub and a carriage being prepared as I’d made my way to this spot.
“Truly?”
He nodded. “For some, it happens quickly.” He turned, leaning his back against the low wall. “How are you feeling?”
