We headed out, and given how fast the two cadets in front of us were walking, we needed to double-time it.
"You're glowing," Shovia observed as we fast walked. "It's actually kind of sickening how happy you look at this ungodly hour."
I chuckled. "Sorry?"
"It's nice to see you like that." She bumped her shoulder against mine affectionately. "Just do me a favor and don't makemoony eyes at Alar every time you see him. I'm really going to be sick."
As we stepped out into the cold morning air, the auroras clearly visible in the pre-dawn sky, I caught sight of Alar already waiting with the other cadets. Our eyes met across the assembly ground, and the intimate smile that spread across his face sent warmth coursing through me, chasing away the mountain chill.
"No moony eyes," Shovia whispered beside me. "Especially not before breakfast."
71
KAILIN
"The stewardship of a great secret is never given outright.
It's earned, one quiet test at a time."
—Shaman Saphir Fatewever
Two weeks had passed since that first night with Alar—two weeks of rigorous training, exhausting conditioning runs, and nights spent in each other's arms whenever we could manage it.
I'd fallen into a rhythm at the academy, growing more confident in my abilities each day.
When the summons from Shaman Fatewever arrived again, I wasn't surprised, but the flutter of nervous anticipation that it produced was unexpected.
I'd been dutifully wearing the medallion nearly at all times, and yet my progress didn't seem to have gained any more momentum. I was getting better, but that was due to training and the infinite patience of Onyx and Commander Ravel.
Would Saphir ask me to give it back?
Climbing the never-ending stairs, I clutched the solid weight of the pendant over my shirt and tried not to work myself into a nervous frenzy.
This time I had no one accompanying me, which was a small mercy. I took a small rest on the landing of the ninth floor, letting my protesting leg muscles rest for a moment. I made this climb every day on the way to the roof of the Citadel for flight training, but even though it wasn't as difficult as it had been the first few times, it was still challenging.
I could almost hear Captain Odinah's derisive laughter at my feebleness. She'd probably say that she could run up and down these stairs a hundred times and not break a sweat.
Not that she would ever need to.
Those occupying the upper floors didn't have to use the stairs unless they were teaching or training in the weapons range. They were usually flown by their dragons to the landing of whichever level they needed to get to.
The same young cadet greeted me in the antechamber, his expression a bit friendlier than it had been the first time as he announced my arrival.
When I entered the shaman's office, I found Saphir standing by one of the massive windows, gazing out at the mountains beyond with Moki perched on his shoulder. The moment I stepped into the room, though, the little guy's head swiveled toward me, and those large, luminous eyes fixed on me with unmistakable recognition.
"Hello," I said.
"Cadet Kailin Strom." Saphir turned to face me. "Thank you for coming. Please, sit down."
I took the same chair I'd occupied during my previous visit, noticing that this time tea had been set out on a small table beside it. The aroma was familiar, similar to the ceremonial tea from the Circle of Fate, herbal and slightly sweet.
I hoped the shaman wasn't planning on drugging me to open my inner ear or third eye or whatever else he believed would help my shamanic abilities to manifest. I had flight instruction following the meeting, and I didn't want to say or do something inappropriate to Onyx or Commander Ravel.
"How is your training progressing?" The shaman took his own seat behind the large desk.
"I'm learning a lot and growing stronger."
Saphir nodded, pouring tea into two delicate cups. "How about your training with Commander Ravel?"
