Hours pass by quickly as we catch up.
“Ramona,” I start pensively, “I have something to tell you.”
“Oh shit, Kem. What is it?” Ramona sits, sensing the mood darken.
“You know how I said I was training late at night in the Lower Fields on the obstacle course?”
“Yes?” Ramona says apprehensively, leaning forward and resting her elbows on her knees. Her globe green eyes are almost fully round.
“The night before the final, Elder Superior and Elder Hightail came in. I was taken by surprise and didn’t know what to do. So I basically buried myself in the sand and waited… I overheard them talking about the first task. They mentioned all sorts of magical creatures. The Elves are going to bring rocs from the Forest Tribe and kelpies from the River Tribe.” I wait for a moment to gauge Ramona’s reaction. I have been so nervous keeping this information from her. She is turning out to be one of my closest friends. If she is upset that I didn’t tell her sooner, she does not look like it.
I continue, “There is more. The Underworld is bringing ghosthounds and likely something else, but they weren’t sure.”
“They must be a part of a Summit task. My dad told me about some of the past Summits, and there are usually dangerous components… I just didn’t realize they would take it this far.”
“Elder Superior Markus is forcing Elder Hightail to choose Castor as her champion, something about ‘keeping the Helios Stone in the family line’ and how it’s the ‘closest thing we have to a Starwatcher,’” I recall and go on to share how I told Castor, and how he didn’t believe me.
She doesn’t seem to care that I kept this information from her, and I cannot help but feel a new level of unconditional friendship growing between us.
“Markus is a snake,” she says, picking her teeth from the hard mint candies she brought back from her home. They are delicious little round sweets that her dad makes.
“Something is off about him,” I add.
“He has always been a creep. Trust me, I was shocked to death as a kid when I connected that he was Castor’s father. Never really believed he was capable of having a normal son… though Castor really isn’t normal either.”
I shudder at the thought of having someone like Markus as a father.
Guilt fills my stomach as I let the day go on without telling Ramona about the hot springs under the library. I told her about everything else, but something about the springs seems mysterious. Like a secret that is only real if kept. Plus, I would not want to put anyone else in danger, knowing that the Underling could show up again. I most definitely am not planning on going again to spy on his corded muscles and swirling tattoos. Definitely not. That would be dangerous.
I almost told her at the Lower Fields when we trained, and again at Anita’s in Olwythion when we met Selene, Leo, Lacerta, and a few other cadets for a drink.
And yet, I find myself staying silent on the matter even as we celebrate the end of break at Anita’s. After many cups of ale, Castor and I decide to walk back to the Watch, Ramona and Leaf staying behind.
Our boots crunch on the snowy path. Tree branches hang low, heavy with snow over the shadow filled pathway back to campus. Our silence is usually comfortable, but now the thread between us is about to snap. We haven’t spoken much since our argument
“I…” I start.
“I’m sorry, Akemi,” Castor interrupts. “Before finals. You were just trying to warn me about my father, and I didn’t believe you.”
Relief fills my veins, spreading warmth across my cold limbs. I must be shivering because Castor takes off his Watcher blue cloak and sets it carefully on my shoulders.
“Thank you,” I say, looking up into his light blue eyes. They almost glimmer in the moonlight.
“This whole break, my father tried telling me about the first task. Telling me that I am to win the Summit or our family name will be put to shame. He told me that he will make sure I’m selected by a human delegate so thatwhenI win, the prize stays with the humans.”
He looks disgusted, tired, and a little sad. Castor may be stoic, even cold at times, but it is because of his hard shell of honor he wears like armour. Being handed a slot as a champion in the Summit goes against his internal metronome of fairness.
“It’s okay, Castor. I forgive you.” I reach out, palm down. His large hands envelop mine. We walk in silence back to the castle, holding hands until we reach my door.
Castor leans on the doorframe, looking down at me, eyes searching for the right words. He bites his lower lip.
Desperate for something to say to distract myself from watching his mouth, I say, “You… should take your cloak back.” I fiddle with the clasp.
“Let me.” Castor walks directly behind me. His long arms encase my body, gently brushing my shoulders as he works to unclasp the buttons.
I’m keenly aware of how close we are standing. If I were to step backward, even just one small step, our forms would press into one another.
“I’m glad you forgive me, Akemi. I was thinking about how I upset you all solstice break,” he says softly. “Before the Presentation, there is a celebratory luncheon with the royal delegates. My father requested that I attend, but I would love it if you went with me.”
