Could I request an audience?
After Captain Odinah departed, Commander Langston returned her attention to the class. "Let's discuss safety protocols and what each code means. There are five levels of security. You should take out your notebooks and write this down." She walked over to the board.
"Level one…"
I glanced at Kailin, studying her profile as she concentrated on Commander Langston's words. The light from the window highlighted the golden strands in her hair, and I longed to rake my fingers through the silky softness. Thankfully, the dress code demanded that those with long hair keep it gathered only duringactive training, so Kailin was free to showcase her impressive mane. She must have felt my gaze on her and turned, catching me watching her. I held her eyes and smiled, trying to convey without words that I was there for her.
She smiled back and nodded, which I hoped meant that she was there for me as well.
54
KAILIN
"Dragons are ancient beings guided by clear principles, whereas humans often introduce unnecessary emotional complexity. Some are entertaining, though."
—Dragonia Evanida
From the journal of Shaman Saphir Fatewever
The thirty-minute recess between classes felt like the first moment I could take a breath since morning, and I was tempted to pull out my journal and sketch the dragons I'd encountered earlier, maybe even add the mental dialogue we'd exchanged, but I couldn't do that with Alar and Shovia around.
They might wonder where I'd seen these dragons, and if they asked and I said that I wasn't allowed to say, it would open a whole new line of questioning that I preferred to avoid.
Secrets combined with a lack of privacy meant that I could only do my journaling after Shovia fell asleep, and given how tired I already was, I would probably fall asleep before her.
My stomach grumbled, reminding me that I'd barely touched my breakfast after returning from my meeting with Commander Ravel, and I wondered if they served snacks in the mess hall. I didn't want to go alone, though, and Shovia was busy chatting with a guy whose name I had already forgotten.
I scanned the corridor for Alar and found him standing with Codric, their heads close together as they engaged in a hushed conversation. Alar's expression was serious, almost grim, and Codric nodded from time to time while glancing around as if checking whether anyone was listening.
Their secretive behavior made me uneasy.
After Alar's accusation at breakfast, I wondered if they were discussing me and speculating about Commander Ravel's summons.
"So, Kailin." Shovia startled me as she sidled up beside me. "Are you going to tell me what really happened with Commander Tall, Dark, and Brooding?"
I sighed. "I've already told you, I can't talk about it." I pushed away from the wall. "I'm going to check if they have snacks in the mess hall. I'm hungry. Want to come?"
"Sure." She fell into step with me. "You have to give me something, though. I'll take anything."
"I can't." I lengthened my strides as if by doing so I could escape Shovia's questions.
Naturally, she had no problem keeping up with her long legs. "Then I'll have to start guessing." A mischievous grin spreadacross her face. "You can nod for affirmative and shake your head for negative."
Instead of answering, I rolled my eyes.
"Was there a kiss?"
I shook my head. "How can you even suggest that? You're as bad as Alar!"
Shovia held up her hands in mock surrender. "Hey, don't bite my head off. It's a legitimate question. The man looks at you like you're the last piece of cake at a feast."
"He does not," I hissed, glancing around to make sure no one had overheard. "And even if he did—which he didn't—there are rules against that sort of thing. You've read the rulebook."
"Rules," Shovia scoffed. "Like those have ever stopped anyone when hormones went rioting. Were there at least smoldering looks?"
She demonstrated what she meant, and I laughed. "No."
Shovia pouted. "That's disappointing."
