“I’m sorry, did you say something?” I ask her. Her head whips to me, and she stares, her brown eyes clear and sharp, straight back. It’s only for a second, but I see fear, real fear, shining out at me.
“No, you’re mistaken.” She turns back to her meal, and I look to Aten, who’s watching the whole interaction, too.
ten
. . .
Aten
This whole dinner is a farce, no doubt at the behest of my father.
But tonight, I’m more interested in keeping my eyes on my mother.
It was her voice inside my head. And in Ever’s. She must have heard it, too, because she queried it. And I think she knows I did, too.
What I don’t know is why I can hear them. Was it something to do with her or my Guard abilities?
For the rest of the evening, we eat in relative silence, but I listen and observe. Sure, there are plenty of conversations further down the table, the Custodians joining in, partners and sons and daughters, all seemingly pleased to enjoy the occasion. Just not my family. We are silent.
Ever barely touches her plate in comparison to the others. A stray thought has me wondering if that’s why she’s so slight. She’s not short. But she doesn’t have Crimson’s height or muscle. And I’m struck by how glad I am about that.
But then I’m already picturing her in the training ring against all of us, and a cold shiver settles over me. Calix will crush her and enjoy it. Crimson will relish it. I look towards Crimson, sitting further down the table and watch as she talks with her brother.
But my eyes pull back to Ever, as if she’s a magnetic force. And this time, it’s me who catches her watching.
She’s had no training, no knowledge of Kirrasia her entire life, and she’s just going to step up and train, mentally and physically, with the rest of us? She doesn’t even know her Order, what she’s been born into, or how that might change depending on her Advocate and the Transference.
She cocks her head to the side, and the brow over her right eye lifts.
A little bit of that fire from earlier sparks in her eyes, and I instantly want more of it. Already I’m drawn to it.
I know she likes it when I smile; her eyes dart down to my lips, and I certainly notice. So, I give her a cocky smile, just to watch.
She tilts her body forward and leans her elbows on the table. “Are you going to speak to me or just give me facial expressions all night, Aten Ciro?”
My grin widens with satisfaction, and so I lean back in my chair. She’s consuming to watch, and she’s certainly got me intrigued.
“I think I may retire. I’m feeling somewhat drained,” Mother speaks to Father, interrupting my fun with Ever. Father dismisses her, and as she stands, so do I, wanting to ask for an explanation from earlier. But then Ever mirrors me.
“Celestine, would you let me walk with you?” she asks.
“Of course, dear.”
I watch from the other side of the table, but as I make my move to join them, Crimson stands in my way.
She grins at me, but it’s all fake.
“What do you want?” I grit out, not in the mood for her games tonight.
“What do I want? How rude. I came to ask what the deal is with you and the outsider. You were all stolen glances and smiles over dinner.”
“There’s no deal,” I lieand risk glancing at Ever again, who’s already halfway across the hall with my mother.
“Yeah. I call bullshit.”
“And what’s the problem if there is something? Huh. Red’s your colour, not green. Remember that.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t forget. Especially come training time. And remember what the purpose of training is, Ten. To find your Triune. You know where you belong. Nothing’s changed.”
