Page 130 of Feathers of Ash and Hope
His eyes are an unusual greenish-blue with golden specks, and he looks familiar. But that is no surprise. I knew his father quite well after all.
His gaze moves over my shoulder, and I see surprise flash over his face.
“Joel?” Blackstone’s face splits into a wide grin, instantly making him seem younger and much more approachable. Cassius steps next to me, and they hug, clearly glad to see each other.
If Cassius knows Blackstone that well, the chances are high that Ara knows him too. This would explain why she took on all those errands and also confirm my suspicion about the circles she grew up in.
Who is Darren Blackstone to Ara?
The clearing of a throat right next to me pulls me out of my trance, and I realize I have been staring at Blackstone.I return to my flight, but my mind wanders off instead of listening to the conversation around me.
My gaze comes back to Blackstone and Cassius, who stand not far from us, talking and laughing. Cassius seems strangely on edge.
Curious, I keep an eye on them and step a little closer.
“Did you know my sister is here as well? Nearly half of our old group in one place.” Darren Blackstone laughs, but Joel pales, perspiration beading on his forehead.
“What…” He clears his throat. “What do you mean?”
Blackstone eyes him carefully. “Still not over her?” He pats Cassius’s shoulder. “I always thought you would have ended up together if she hadn’t been promised to the crown.”
They are speaking about Tamara Blackstone, then. The girl I was betrothed to since we were kids. So my brother inherited not only the throne, but my bride as well, it seems.
I don’t remember much more than a little blond girl playing with us in the gardens. I remember that she kept us on our toes with the chore of having to keep an eye on her.
Cassius waves him off.
“I’m fine.” He looks around, wincing when he catches my eye, sending me a strained smile. His gaze flies back to Blackstone, and he clears his throat.
“What do you mean she’s here?”
“Oh, she’s visiting our cousin. I think she needed to get away for a while.” Blackstone seems troubled and in thought before his eyes snap back to Cassius.
“I will drop by there as soon as I’m out of here. Would you care to accompany me?”
“Well, that would be great, but unfortunately…” Cassius raises his hands in an apologetic gesture. “No free evening for me.” Which I know to be bullshit, even without my gift. Our whole division is free tonight.
“Are you sure? I bet I could put in a good word for you,” Blackstone inquires, raising an eyebrow.
At that moment, Arkwright makes his way over to them, saving Cassius from having to answer.
Has to be tough being around the girl you love, knowing she will never be yours.
“Summer?” Blackstone asks, and my attention snaps back to them.
“He is on errands today, but that boy is astonishing in the obstacle course,”Arkwright praises. “And quite funny with his silly quirk.”
Blackstone’s eyebrows rise. “How so?”
“He climbs like he’s flying through that obstacle course. And I laughed about his habit of touching the ground before he starts, but it seems to work for him.”
“Really?” Blackstone’s tone sounds intrigued, but a storm is brewing in his eyes. “That boy wouldn’t be by any chance blond and slender, would he?” he inquires.
Arkwright’s eyebrows shoot up. “You know him?”
“Oh, I might.” I see the muscles in Blackstone’s jaw twitch. “But sometimes it’s hard to say who you really know, isn’t it?”
His eyes zero in on Cassius.
