Well. At least she’s honest.
I frowned, but accepted defeat. There was no way they would let me go. And sure, I could go anyways, but I wasn’t stupid enough to attempt murder with only one working arm and no backup.
Delani rubbed my shoulder. “It’s okay, Maeve. We can stay here and practice your magic, and it's no beach, but there's a lake just a mile from here.”
“So who's going and when?” I ignored my sister, letting my attitude shine through.
Kohen, Sawyer, and Sebastian glanced between each other.
“Guys’ trip?” Sawyer suggested with a sideways grin.
“I’m in,” the other two replied in unison, the final decision making me rise to my feet and out of the room.
Chapter
Nine
“Who is it?” I interrogated the fist battering my door.
“Sawyer.”
I rolled out of my armchair to unlock the door for him. “What’s up?”
“I was wondering if you wanted to try wielding some starlight before we leave in the morning?”
“I would, but I’m still ticked off at you all from the meeting. Plus—” I held up my tightly wrapped wrist, the angle proving to be quite painful.
“Oh, right. I forgot.” Sawyer stepped further into my room, shutting the door behind him. “Guess you’ll be out of commission for a while, huh?”
“I guess so. Until Venay gets back at least.” I sighed, returning to my seat and tossing my legs over the side.
Sawyer sat on the other arm, where I rested my head on his thigh. “I’m surprised none of the other healers know much about breaks. And I don’t know why Pia couldn't heal it—Sebastian has even said himself that she's a really gifted healer.”
I felt Sawyer’s shrug in the way his leg flexed. “Maybe she just doesn't want to. You heard what she said—she doesn't want to be the reason you go.”
“I have a feeling none of you asses would let me go anyway.” A lock of hair fell into my eyes as my head rolled to the side, looking up at him. “Why didn’t you vouch for me? You’re usually the first one to stick up for me.”
“Yeah, when you're right. And in this case, you’re not.” He took the bundle of my strands, twirling them between his fingertips.
My mind flashed back to what he had said in Caelestis.
I can’t lose you. I wouldn’t survive it.
Sucking in a breath, I worked my own fingers around the hair, tucking it behind my ear.
My eyes turned to the window. Trees outlined the entirety of the grounds, leaving nothing for my eyes to explore except vivid shades of green. “Is this how it's going to be from now on? Me trapped here just to avoid being captured or killed?” What a shitty way to live. It was like Caelestis 2.0.
“For a while, maybe.”
“I don’t want people to die for me,” I whispered, my emotions getting the best of me.
“We don’t want you to die to save us,” he whispered back with a slip of a voice crack.
Another knock hit my door, though this guest didn’t wait for a response before coming in.
“Sorry. I think I left one of my daggers here—” Sebastian froze, his eyebrows cinching together. “What are you doing here?” he grilled Sawyer.
I shot upright, correcting my posture while Sawyer rose to his feet.
