“Someone said something about ice coming from Iliera.” She shook her head. “She must have just acquired it. I wonder what could have caused her heartbreak.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“Elemental magic is heavily tied to our emotions. Only tragic devastation unlocks ice.”
There was so much I didn’t know regarding our powers.
“I know she and Xaro were trying for a baby,” she continued. “I wonder…” She shook her head again at the thought and exhaled sharply. “You’re looking…different.” Mother mumbled, changing the subject.
My eyebrows scrunched together. “How so?”
“I don’t know…stronger? More fit?” She smiled. “You look good.”
“Oh…thank you.” I suppose Quill’s regimen was starting to have its effects. I would do my routine in my room, save for my cardio. If she ever heard me working out, she made no mention of it.
“How are things with Quill?”
To that, I walked over to the kitchen and grabbed a blueberry scone to munch on. “Fine.”
“Just fine?” Mother followed me and sat at our dining table, giving me a raised brow. “You two have been spending time together for the last three weeks, and it’s just fine? What do you two do together, anyway?”
I willed my face not to show any signs of emotion. “We just…hang out. Talk.” It was not entirely a lie. “I don’t know much about him still. But he told me he’s training to be an Otacian soldier.”
Her eyes broadened. “Oh my, that explains his build.”
I stuffed the rest of the pastry in my mouth, hoping this conversation would end.
“You’ll have to be careful dating a soldier.”
I choked on my scone. “We are not dating!” I exclaimed as bits of the pastry flew out my mouth.
Mother just laughed.
The following week, I was already prepared when Quill showed up at the cottage, wearing the same outfit I wore every week. I felt ashamed at first, but I didn’t have many clothes. At least I cleaned them. Plus, Quill never mentioned anything about it, either.
Except for today.
“Dress in something nice today, darling,” Quill said with a grin.
Today, he wore all black—a button-up shirt and trousers, still paired with black boots. He wore a navy cloak and, as always, sported his sword. He looked infuriatingly sexy, like always.
I crossed my arms at his comment, suddenly feeling insecure. “Excuse me?”
“We’re going to take a break from training today,” he continued, walking closer to me. “I want you to show me around the Outer Ring.”
I blinked. “You want me to give you a tour of the Outer Ring?” I asked skeptically.
He smiled softly and shrugged with one shoulder. “I want to be more familiar with your home. Show me some of your favorite places—where you like to spend your time.”
Other than me doing my studies, I mostly spent my days at home tending the garden, and, if not doing that, sitting by the creek reading a novel. But I supposed there were a few places I liked to visit.
“Very well, then,” I replied, the corners of my lips turning upward. I had never known anyone from the Inner Ring entering the Outer Ring for fun, let alone wanting a tour of it. Save for the Queen, I supposed, though she was from the Center.
While Quill waited in the living room, I entered my room and released my hair, loose waves falling against my back. I hadn’t worn my hair entirely down in…I didn’t know how long. Since it was May, I put on my cream chemise again, this time pairing it with a deep blue overdress similar to the shade of Quill’s cloak, and slipped on a pair of slippers. It was not fancy, but I hoped I looked decent enough.
Quill was waiting at my dining room table, and his eyes rose from the ground to meet my gaze as I exited my room.
“Is this better?” I ask sheepishly, brushing the wrinkles out of my dress.
