The protective eye goggles perched in her hair fall down over her eyes as we bump heads.
“Whoa!” I grab her shoulders to steady her. “Zee, what are you doing here?”
Azelie blinks, jarred from her own thoughts. The small army of several different herbs and plants following behind her like a herd of ducklings chasing after their mother all stop and fall over, no longer able to move without her magic guiding them. I spot a few of the spirit orchids she loves so much, cushioned by a leafy green I don’t recognize.
“Oh. Hi, Odessa!” She gives me her usual warm smile, but there’s a hint of exhaustion lingering beneath it—and something else, too, some emotion I can’t quite place. She runs her hands over herearth-stained apron, trying to brush some of the dirt off it. “I’m just on my way to... I mean, I wish I could talk, but there’s something I’ve got to—”
“Girl trouble?” I guess automatically. I don’t even know if she likes girls, but after my chat with Karston earlier, it seems everyone has these problems lately.
Azelie shakes her head. “Er, no. There’s something important I’ve got to do, but I can’t say more just yet...” She falls silent, looking uncomfortable. Before I can reply, she adds, “I’ll see you later, all right?”
“All right, but—is everything okay, Zee? You do like this place, don’t you?” After all, if she doesn’t, it’s my responsibility to make it right. I brought her here.
She smiles broadly, and I’m immediately relieved, even before she exclaims, “Are you kidding? I’m going to have my own greenhouse soon! This place isamazing!”
“Have you had any word from Sarral?” I ask quickly, knowing she’s in a hurry. “Valoria told you the Ezorans retreated from the border, right?”
“She did. I haven’t heard anything myself, though I did send a letter to Uncle Halmar a few days ago.” Grinning slightly, she adds, “I had a dream the other night that the Ezorans all drowned. Hopefully it’ll come true!”
With that, she hurries down the hall toward Valoria’s staircase, her plants following dutifully in her wake again.
***
Practice is already under way at the unofficial training grounds across from the deserted market by the time I show up. The dull clash of wooden swords and the occasional curse or excited shout fills the cool salt air, doing little in the way of keeping this meetingsecret.
As I slog through the sea of waist-high golden grass that surrounds the practice area, I try to leave behind every troubling thought: the black fever, the rebellion and Valoria’s many enemies, all the bad things that could happen to Meredy if she keeps using the crystal. I still don’t know how I’m going to make things right between us, but hopefully sparring will help clear my head and give me an idea.
Jax is already here, practicing with Bryn and Sarika at the same time. I’m pleased to note that all three of them are wearing their scarves and gloves today. With a sword in each hand, Jax is working up a sweat blocking every one of their attacks. That is, until Sarika sneaks in a low jab and taps him on the thigh.
“That’s a point for me!” She bounces on her heels, unable to contain her excitement.
Jax puts his wooden blade to her throat as she celebrates.
“What—?” she splutters, her eyes widening.
“If this were a real fight, I’d have all your points now, because you’d be dead,” Jax says matter-of-factly. Then he winks. “Never let your guard down, even when you think you’ve got the upper hand.”
Bryn notices me watching first and waves. Her long raven hair is tied back for practice, revealing the tips of her very pointed ears—catlike ears. I quickly avert my gaze, not wanting to be rude, but fascinated by what must be the price of her magic.
“Mind if I cut in?” I ask Jax, bumping his shoulder in greeting. He’s so sweaty that his black shirt clings to him like a second skin. “Go get some water,” I urge, gently pushing him away. “And lose the shirt. I can handle these two for a bit.”
Gazing between Bryn and Sarika, I muster a grin before realizing they can’t see it through my scarf. Still, they must sense it, because Sarika’s eyes crinkle as though she’s smiling back. Bryn, always more guarded, just nods and raises her sword.
A girl of few words. I like that.
“Let’s go, Freckles,” I call, issuing a challenge. She doesn’t need to know I’ve stopped using her nickname in my head.
Bryn and I face each other and raise our swords. She gains a little ground on me, so I don’t hold back with any of my swings. As we spar, Sarika watches from the sidelines, turning her hair from brown to blue and commenting on everything from the weather to shirtless Jax to the new metal soldiers.
“Who told you about them?” I pant, blocking a jab to my right side from Bryn.
She blocks one of my blows with such strength that my arm protests. “Noranna. She’s really excited about what Karston can do with them,” she says between rapid breaths. “Of course, it’s no secret that he wishes she’d be excited about him for a different reason.”
A shiver of amusement races through Sarika’s voice as she adds, “I don’t know why Noranna doesn’t go for him. He’scute.”
“He is,” Bryn agrees, breathing harder as I hit her with a flurry of quick attacks. “But it’s complicated.” To my surprise—and hers, judging by her blink—she blocks most of them. After that, she lowers her sword, signaling the need for a break. “They’ve known each other since they were little, apparently. They came here together from the countryside and everything.”
“Noranna just likes him as a friend, though,” Sarika says, stepping up to take her turn with me. “But maybe her loss will bemygain.” Still giggling, she raises her sword, but her stance is all wrong.
