Page 30 of Blood of Dragons
“But how is it hot?”
“Because the water comes from the hot springs.” He faced me, so tall that there were just a few inches of open space above his head before the ceiling. “This is where I leave you. I’ll be stationed here for a few more days before I’m deployed back to the line. If you need anything, my tree house is 12 Waterbrook. I live alone.”
“What’s my address?”
“23 Seedling.”
I nodded in understanding. “Thank you.”
He stared at me for a while, like something was left unsaid. “You’re skilled with the blade?”
“Skilled is a generous word…”
“You have a connection with your sword, so it must have protected your life.”
It was given to me by Talon. Made for my arm length and my wrist size. “I know a couple things, but I’m no warrior.”
He gave a subtle nod. “You can serve in the army, if you wish.”
“But I’m a woman.”
His stare remained blank for a while. “I don’t understand your meaning.”
“I—I thought that was a job only for men. That’s how it is where I’m from.”
He continued to look slightly confused. “We hold no such prejudice. A soldier is a soldier, regardless of their sex. If you desire to pursue the trade, I can train you when I’m in Riviana Star.”
“Thank you. I’ll consider it.”
He stared at me for a moment longer before he turned to the doorway. “Welcome to Riviana Star, Calista Laurier. Open your heart to this forest—and she’ll do the same to you.”
I’d been traveling and living out of a pack for weeks, so the first thing I did was take a shower…and then take a bath.
I soaked in the tub in the darkness, the only light from the fireflies outside the window. It was the first time I’d been alone…in a long time. It was just me and my thoughts, reflecting on everything that had happened with a deeper intensity.
His angry eyes were forever burned into my thoughts.
Once my skin was pruned, I dried off and stepped into the kitchen, the fireflies everywhere I could see, lighting up the forest like it was their duty. I looked at the bowl on the counter and found fresh fruits and vegetables. In the cabinets were various nuts and cooking essentials, like flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt and pepper, staples for every kitchen. With the things I had on hand, I whipped up something on the stove then ate alone at the kitchen table.
I wasn’t sure what time it was, but I wasn’t tired.
Too depressed to be tired.
I spent the day in my tree house. There was a bookshelf in the living room full of books. Most of them were in elvish so I couldn’t read them, but a couple were in my mother tongue, so I found entertainment.
I wasn’t ready to venture outside my tree house and explore. I sure wasn’t ready to mingle with strangers and seek friendship. Inferno and I hadn’t been connected very long, but his departure was still painful. A piece of my soul had been taken away—and I wasn’t sure if I could ever get it back.
Footsteps sounded on the deck outside, so I closed my book and stared at the door.
There was a knock. “Commander Luxe.”
“It’s open.”
He let himself inside, but he looked vastly different than he had last night because he wore no armor or uniform. Now he wasin trousers and a short-sleeved shirt, the muscles of his arms visible. He looked at me where I sat on the couch, arms by his sides. “May I?” He gestured to the armchair.
“Of course.”
He took a seat across from me, sitting rigidly upright, hands on his lap. “How was your first night?”