The letter was more concerning than helpful, especially the news about Gareth being suspicious. But as always, Meena naturally looked ahead.
That was strength. She was more like the sun, warm and bright and magnetic.
“What if you gave the orders, and we followed?” Sol asked. “You seem particularly well suited for it.”
Meena leaned back. A half small played on her lips, but her eyes were squinted as though she was suspicious of him. “I can’t tell if you are trying to make me angry or if you are jesting with me again.”
“I was trying to praise you,” Sol responded.
“I seem particularly well suited for it?” Meena repeated his words. “And you meant it?”
“Yes,” Sol said. “Why is that so hard to believe?”
“You keep trying to shield me, protect me. I got the impression that you don’t think very highly of me.”
Sol paused. Her words were not without merit. “Without you, I would be trekking across some wilderness trying to find this place. I am used to working alone. I have been shielding you out of habit as I tend to keep all the responsibility on myself.”
“Oh.” Meena did not seem convinced.
“Wherever you are, people gravitate to you,” Sol continued, trying to find the right words to express his thoughts. “At first I thought it was because you were a princess, and I may have doubted your sincerity. But it seems to be far deeper than that.”
Meena was uncharacteristically silent as he spoke. Her cheeks appeared slightly warmer than usual, but her eyes were wide and bright. She nodded slightly, as though encouraging him to continue.
Sol cleared his throat. “People listen to you,” he said. He was not used to praising someone, but the sparkle in her eyes was intoxicating enough to continue. “You know the right words to say. You make other people feel comfortable. Those are all skills I lack and I am impressed by them in you.”
“Thank you, Sol,” she whispered. Her eyes fluttered down shyly, but her lips remained in a smile.
“Thank you,” Sol whispered back, not sure if the words actually left his mouth or not.
Chapter 25
Meena’s heart soared as they made their way down the hall to supper.
Sol’s kind words had seeped through her head and been seared into her heart. Such praise from the silent and brooding Majis was high praise indeed.
Her mind raced with the happiest of thoughts, finding joy in everything she set her eyes on. She was surprised at how effectively the temperature remained cool by utilizing the additional depth of the ground. Though the site of the ground at the base of the window still made her laugh.
“Imagine if everyone was truly this short,” Meena said, pointing outside the window. “How strange would that be?”
“You were that short once,” Sol responded.
Meena rolled her eyes. “Of course I was, as a child,” she replied. “But it was normal then. It was all I knew.”
“And if you remained that short for your entire life, it would be all you ever knew.” Sol’s voice was flat and logical.
“You are so dull,” Meena responded playfully, overjoyed that he was indulging her whimsical thoughts. “That’s why I said ‘imagine.’”
Sol instantly dropped to his knees, glancing over the base of the window, which his eyes could now barely reach. “Honestly, it would be quite nice down here,” he said.
Meena threw back her head and laughed. Even when Sol jested, he did it so intensely.
“Princess,” an oddly familiar voice startled her. “Prince.”
Meena spun around to see Councilor Younn standing farther down the hall. She had no idea he was in Falqri, and she had no idea how long he had been watching their silly exchange in the hall.
Sol instantly jumped to his feet, straightening his back into his usual composed posture. His face also returned to its usual tense state.
Meena squeezed her fists for a brief moment, disappointment flowing over her. She loved to see Sol happy.
