He paused, waiting, but the other three only looked at him expectantly.
“How long do we need in the Winter Court before heading out?” Kade asked, his voice quiet. For a moment Florian considered it. His thoughts returned to Elodie’s unsettling warning that he should go back to Earth; but he shook the thought away and answered,
“Not long, I don’t think. Maybe a couple days to rest, but mostly we need to get the other Arrows and supplies for traveling.”
Kade was silent for a moment, considering. Florian wondered if he, too, was going to advise Florian to go to Earth to say his goodbyes. But after a beat, Kade gave a firm nod.
“Sounds good to me,” he replied, managing a slight smile that Florian returned nervously.
“So, what have you guys been up to?” Florian asked.
“Sparring practice,” Kade replied dryly, and the others groaned.
“Too much practice,” Rune muttered. “Did you know he’s such a harsh taskmaster? Or does he take it easy on you?”
Florian laughed. “He can be pretty tough when it comes to sparring. Has he been kicking your asses all day?”
“He isn’t kickingmyass,” Rune snapped. Koji shot her a look, and her fierce expression crumbled. “Well, maybe every once in a while. But it’s just been sparring all day, every day. I’mtired.So it’s a good thing you’re back, Florian.”
“It has gotten a little... monotonous,” Koji agreed, and Florian chuckled.
“Well, we’re still here until Elodie’s done with the pendants, so...” he said, and felt Kade let out a soft huff of a laugh next to him.
“So back to training,” he said, but his eyes were soft when he looked at Florian. The other two groaned in protest, but Florian answered with a small smile of his own.
