“It’s a bonding exercise,” I mutter.
“Bonding?”
“Reid’s my study partner. Alexis is my roommate.”
“Huh. They didn’t give me a study partner.”
“That’s probably a good thing.” I narrow my eyes at the back of Reid’s head.
Caeo laughs; a light, uplifting sound. “He’s not that bad, he just takes some getting used to. And he’s really dedicated to incanting, so you don’t have to worry about him holding you back.”
I bite back the witty response that pops into my head, worrying it’ll seem too judgmental. Other options fly through my mind, but now it feels like I’ve waited too long, and it’d be more awkward to belatedly respond than to let the conversation die.
I chance a look at him—he doesn’t look bothered. Maybe a response wasn’t necessary?
His lips curve into a slight smile that sends a slow heat rising to my cheeks. I hurriedly turn away, scouring our surroundings for something,anything, of interest.
Unfortunately, there’s not much to look at.
We’re walking along the road to Haven: a wide stretch of gravel cutting through a sea of packed, gray dirt. My view of the town is exactly as it was at the Academy—colorless slums between us and Haven proper, with its colorful clock tower rising above—but slightly closer since we’ve been traveling for a few minutes. Small clusters of newfound friends travel both ahead and behind us, filling the chilly air with overlapping conversations and bursts of laughter.
Alexis giggles at something Reid said, drawing my curiosity, but I cringe at the idea of clumsily trying to catch up and walk alongside them. Instead, I glance at Caeo and say the first thing that pops up.
“How far is the Kettle Maker?”That’s me, the queen of riveting conversation.
Caeo shrugs. “It’s a walk. You can get to Haven’s outskirts in about ten minutes if you’re fast, but everything worth going to is further.”
I need to come up with some conversation topics, quick.
“Did you grow up here?” I pull my coat tight around me. The winter sun will set soon, and the air’s already turning colder by the minute.
“Basically. I don’t remember living anywhere else. I think I was four when we moved here.” He glances in my direction, seemingly untroubled by the chill. “Where are you from?”
“Durnam.”
“The capital? That’s pretty far.”
“It was a three-day carriage ride. It was my first time traveling, so it was nice to see the countryside. Until we gothere.” My upper lip curls as I gesture at the empty expanse of dirt that surrounds us.
Caeo’s eyebrows tilt up. “What? Is learning to fight fae not your idea of a fun time?”
A sharp laugh slips out of me. “No, definitely not.” After an exhale, I drop my gaze to the gravel in front of my feet. “Attending the Academy wasn’t my first choice, and it doesn’t help that it’s completely devoid of life and beauty.”
“Good thing you brought some with you.”
I stumble, glancing back up at him. A subtle smile graces his features, his gray eyes impossibly bright.
A heat rises in my chest.Is he… flirting with me?
“Besides, it’s not lifeless here.” He gestures ahead at Alexis and Reid. “Just look at how much fun they’re having.”
“They’re excited to go drinking.”I’m reading too much into things. He couldn’t have meant it like that.
Caeo shakes his head. “Nope. Reid’s excited because he’s been waiting half his life to attend the Academy. If you’re his partner, you must be just as good as he is, so he’s hoping to finally have someone to challenge him.”
A twinge of guilt interrupts my thoughts, my shoulders tightening.Have I been too shallow in my assessment of Reid?“There’s no way I could’ve known that. We’ve only just met.”
“Oh? Well, I’d say Alexis is excited because she enjoys living in the moment, so while you just see dirt, she sees endless possibilities.”
