I snorted a laugh, relaxing back in my seat, a little shocked that I felt so at ease with a Wolf Ladrin. “I guess I am a little stunted when it comes to making friends. So, what do you recommend?”
“Just sit down with one of the groups.” Xaedren waved his dagger at the room. “Join in their conversation. Get to know everyone naturally. Friendships will come in their own time.”
“Thank you.”
“Sure,” he said gruffly and went back to sharpening his dagger. The schlicking sound was oddly comforting.
I waited a few minutes, but Xaedren didn't say anything more or even look at me. Assuming he wanted to be alone, I stood up. “Well, thanks for the talk.”
Xaedren grunted.
“Hey.”
He looked up.
“Do you wanna be my friend?” I grinned at him.
Xaedren—cool, serious, imposing Wraith Lord Xaedren—snorted, then laughed hard enough to draw everyone's attention. He ignored their shocked stares to say, “You don't want to be my friend. Trust me.”
I paused, staring at him, then shocked myself by saying, “I think I do.”
His lips softened for a second, then he grunted and went back to sharpening his dagger.
Biting my lip, I waited another moment, then gave up and walked away. The sharpening sound stopped for a few seconds, and I glanced back to see Xaedren watching me. He jerked his chin up, motioning for me to get on with it. I grinned at him and nodded, then chose a group and sat down with them. Xaedren was right. Within a few minutes, I was laughing at one of Sern's stories. I caught Xaedren watching me a few more times, but he never joined us. He never joined any of the groups. He just sat there in his corner, cleaning and sharpening his weapons, then he gathered his things and left.
I guess Xaedren wasn't interested in making friends.
Chapter Fifteen
The next day, I finished my Earth Magic training. Master Daeli declared me a Master Earth Mage. I could move soil and stone as easily as he could and even command plants. And it had taken only a little over two weeks. At this rate, I'd be able to start helping the Wraith Lords in a few months.
As we were walking through the citadel's entry hall, Rath said, “Why don't we go out to celebrate?”
“Out where?”
“Somewhere not here.” He grinned. “How would you like to try Varraen food?”
“Sure. Should I change my clothes?” I looked down at the simple black tunic and brown leather pants I was wearing.
“No, that's fine.” He held out his hand. “Shall we?”
“All right.”
Rath took my hand and pulled me into an embrace. Fading out of the citadel could be done from anywhere. It was only when you wanted to fadeintothe Wraith Citadel that you had to be careful and direct your fade to the arrival chamber. Since we were leaving, I just wrapped my arms around Rath and closed my eyes.
In a few seconds, the strange feeling of moving without moving stopped, and I opened my eyes. “Wow,” I whispered as I stepped away from Rath.
We were in a forest of enormous trees that soared hundreds of feet above us with trunks wider than a carriage. Wider than two carriages side-by-side. Massive lanterns dangled from the lowest branches on chains whose links were larger than my head. They shed bright, magical light upon pristine walkways formed of white pebbles. We had arrived off in the shadows, close to the base of a tree and away from most of the activity. Rath took my hand and led me around the side of a building and onto the nearest path. People glanced at us as we joined the foot traffic, a few frowning at me. That's when I realized they were all Varraen, not a rounded ear top in sight.
“Are we in a Varraen city?” I asked.
“Yes. This is Levari, on the continent of Krix.”
“Krix, home of the Varraen,” I whispered. “Fuck, Rath. When you said you were taking me to try Varraen food, I didn't expect you to bring me to the source.”
Rath chuckled. “Where else would we find the best Varraen food? Of course, here, it's just called food.”
“Ha-ha. That's so funny. Almost as funny as the way everyone is looking at me.” I glanced around as he continued to lead me down the path, past shops with windows full of beautiful wares. A dancing toy tiger briefly caught my attention before I asked, “Am I even allowed to be here?”
