I watch from the sidelines, squeezing the railing as he steadies her.
Hestia and I have been getting along fine. There’s no reason to think she doesn’t like me. I’m sure she’s just embarrassed about the misunderstanding.
The skaters whirl past, their movements nowhere near as fast as my thoughts.
Cato puts his hand on my shoulder, making me jump.
“Shouldn’t you get out there to catch her before she falls?” he says with a smirk.
“Magnus has it covered,” I say.
“Extra hands are always appreciated.” Cato licks his lip.
I roll my eyes and look away, gaze drawn immediately back to Hestia. “The academy trains everyone to skate, she’ll be fine.”
Magnus is holding her hands now, skating backward while she follows him, legs wobbling like a newborn foal.
“Shecanskate, right?” I mutter.
“Go support her backside,” Cato says.
I glare at him.
“Why are you still here? Don’t you have things to take care of?” I say.
He just smiles, expression as enigmatic as his end of the bond.
Interrogating Cato has never gotten us anywhere, so I leave him to his own devices and join the others on the ice. Not that I plan to grab at Hestia’s back end like he’s suggesting.
If Cato keeps acting like this, Orion will need to set more boundaries.
He wasn’t like this with other trainees. I hoped his teasing was playful, like a brother who enjoys being annoying, since that’s how he is with us. I’ve been willfully ignoring Cato’s sexual interest in Hestia, but I can’t overlook it anymore.
I’m sure he just needs to blow off some steam, and then he’ll be able to treat her like any other coworker.
Except Cato is still hanging around when usually he’slong gone by now. I’ll have to keep him away from her until he gets bored and findsentertainmentelsewhere.
I trail after Hestia, who is watching her feet as they skate around the edge of the rink. Magnus is still in front of her, going slow, weaving between the other couples.
He seems to have things covered, but I’m here for her too.
A father and his young daughter slowly speed past us.
Eventually Hestia gets her feet under her, and they pick up the pace. Magnus returns to her side, but she holds his hand in a tight grip.
Music pumps through the speakers, and the song “Holly Jolly Alpha” comes on.
The skating rink is next to the giant Yule tree they put up every year. It’s covered in so many lights it makes the streetlights unnecessary at night.
Garlands cover the lampposts and statues, and more lights are strung around the edges of the rink, the gazebo, and every other surface in the park.
It’s hard to be upset in a magical place like this. My concerns about Cato’s behavior and fear that Hestia wants to leave fade. The only thing that remains is enjoying our time together.
We skate on frozen ponds up in the mountains, but it’s been a while since we visited the rink in town. I’m glad we’re showing Hestia around, it feels good to spend time in the community. I enjoy our relative solitude, but it’s nice to visit sometimes and?—
Hestia drops suddenly, and I dart forward.
I catch her before she hits the ice, hands on her hips, chest pressed against her back. Magnus mirrors me, his face (well, more his neck) in front of mine, Hestia squished between us.
