“You say that as if you have experience,” I replied.
He let out a soft laugh. “No, thankfully, no real-world experience. But I have had a lot of training,” he said, eyeing the weapon resting on his back. “Better to be prepared.”
I gave a slow nod and looked away. We marched on, the silence between us eventually becoming awkward until he spoke again.
“How old are you?”
“You ask a lot of questions,” I murmured. “Sixteen, and you?”
“Sixteen.”
I gaped at him, and he chuckled. “You seem surprised by that.”
“You appeared older to me…” I mumbled as I glanced away.
We made it down the entrance steps, then to the bridge that separated Otacia from the outside, and I could feel Quill tense up beside me. I glimpsed at him and saw that his carefree expression had vanished, and his jaw was tightly clenched.
“You alright?” I inquired softly.
His chest rose, then fell. “Yes,” he gritted out.
I looked up and waved to the guard I saw anytime Mother and I scavenged. He was too far up to have a discussion, so I didn’t know his name, but he always gave us a big smile and an enthusiastic wave. He had to be around Mother’s age.
“Don’t tell me you’re scared, Quill,” I teased. “You’re supposed to be here to protect me.”
I felt him relax as he let out a breathy laugh. “Don’t worry, I’m more scared of getting onyourbad side than whatever’s out here,” he teased back.
I gave him my middle finger while trying to contain my grin, his surprised yet amused look satisfying me. I glanced back up at the guard, who looked at me with a puzzled expression.
I know, seeing a little thing like me being vulgar is surprising.
I chuckled. I wasn’t short, maybe 5'5”, but my reddish hair and big eyes made me appear a lot more innocent than I was. Someone like Quill, nearly a foot taller than me and built like no sixteen-year-old I'd ever seen, seemed much more mature. However, I suppose it would’ve been a brow-raising action from him as well, being from the Inner Ring and all.
So many of them acted like they had sticks up their asses. But I hadn’t scared off Quill thus far. Yet.
We crossed the bridge, and Quill took another deep breath. I studied him as he took in the surroundings with broadened eyes.
“It’s so…vast,” he whispered.
The sun had cast a golden light on the trees of the Western Forest, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of pine. I could see wonder flickering in Quill’s eyes as if he were utterly captivated by the view of the forest.
This wasn’t even close to the most beautiful part, either.
“Yes,” I said tenderly. “Have you…never seen it?”
He ran his hand through his raven-black hair. “Uh…not in a very long time.” He scanned the forest again, then met my eyes with a dreamy smile. “It’s breathtaking.”
I studied him more, trying not to fall in love with that look. Then I looked back at the trees, at the various shades of green, and smiled as I listened to the calming sounds of birds calling to one another.
Perhaps I do not appreciate the scenery as much as I should.
I gave Quill a grin. “If you think this is breathtaking, you should see Amethyst Pond.”
Curiosity sparkled in Quill's eyes. “Where’s that?” he asked.
“About a half-hour into the forest. It’d be best for you to see it without expectations and on a warm day,” I replied. “Perhaps another time, come this way. The sage should be over here.”
We wove through the trees, branches cracking under our feet. Abruptly, I got this feeling of…being watched. I slowed simultaneously with Quill, who must’ve sensed the same thing.
