Page 140 of Under Restless Skies

For some reason, her reaction feels odd, as if I no longer belonged there. In truth, I don’t, and in fact, I never felt I did.

“Can I come in?”

She steps aside and gestures for me to enter. “Of course! I just thought you’d be training.”

“I… had the afternoon off.”

The kitchen’s clean and the dishes from lunch have been put away, but the working table has some spices, as I assume Laristella’s already preparing tomorrow’s stew.

“Did something happen?” Sudden worry mars her eyes, as if hit by the turbulent waves of my thoughts.

“Just… normal academy things. Everything normal.” Horrifically normal, but she doesn’t need to know.

Her stare deepens, and I start to think that perhaps she can read my mind.

“You tell me, Mayara. If you’re in trouble, talk to me.” She steps close and whispers, “If you need to run, let me know. I have… contacts.”

My breath hitches—and she notices it.

“What happened?” she insists.

“Something good,” I lie, wanting to shake away my discomfort. “I think I might be able to secure an apprenticeship for Kaio. I need to talk to him.”

Her brows contract, a worried expression on her face. “He’s too young, Mayara.”

“They take young apprentices, and he’s been working for years here. What’s the difference?”

“Here, he’s protected.” Laristella slams a hand on her apron. “On a boat, in the middle of the ocean, he’ll have nowhere to go. Imagine if something goes wrong.”

“I’m not planning to send him away with criminals.”

She heads to the counter, where she throws spices on a bowl of gallonfish. “Fair, but he can wait. One year, two years won’t make much difference, except that he’ll be more mature to make a decision.”

“I have an opportunity now. I don’t know if I’ll have it again in the future.”

She covers the bowl, then shakes it. “He’ll always have an opportunity.”

“It costs⁠—”

She stops and stares at me. “I’ll pay for it. When the time’s right.”

That doesn’t make sense. “But it’s expensive.”

“And it’s not a problem.”

I blink, unsure if she understood what I said. Either way, I need to talk to my brother, not to her. “Is Kaio around?”

She shakes her head. “Went to the beach, I think. He should be back before the rain.”

“I’ll go look for him.” I head for the door.

“Mayara.”

I turn, and face Laristella.

Her eyes are like tongs holding me in place. “Something’s troubling you. Whatever it is, you can trust me. I won’t judge you, and we’ll find a solution.”

“Thanks,” I mutter, oddly embarrassed that she can see through me that well, and yet I still turn around and leave.