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“Working on it,” I murmured. “But then there’s still the issue of the panel for the mating trial. If we go against their ruling and mate, they’ll likely issue the Nex. Or force us to endure the Raith, which would take away our magic, and then we can’t protect the people anyway.”
It’s all just somessed up.
“If they find you.” She winked. But I wasn’t in the mood for that. Her smile faltered. “What are you going to do?”
“Try to find the truth of the Glaev right now. Then worry about the rest later. I can’t do much until then.”
“What about the Sage female? How did she know?”
“Vicria. Ryker isn’t sure but he said he’s having people look into it. If I could just get my hands on her then I could get the information,” I said.
We remained quiet for several moments.
“Well, you’re not fixing all of this right now. But I know what can make you feel better.” She rose to a stand and I followed suit.
“And what would that be?” I asked, setting down my tea.
“Hot, fresh pastries from Penny’s.”
I smiled brightly. “Yes! I haven’t been there in ages.”
Penny’s bakery was a staple of Ilrek. Nikan used to wake up Malina and I early before training and drag us down there, but we hadn’t done that in quite some time.
“Come on. Let’s get there before all the good stuff is gone.” She waved as we left her rooms and entered the common area.
I didn’t bother with shoes, I preferred to have bare feet so I could feel. I had done it so often that my feet were calloused and the gravel paths didn’t phase me. Satisfied that I didn’t feel Ryker moving around in my rooms, we left Morah, down the streets of Ilrek to the outer ring to Penny’s.
Malina and I meandered down the empty street, stuffing our faces with tarts and sweet bread. I nearly moaned as the taste flooded my mouth and coated my tongue with the delectable sugary topping. I giggled as Malina dripped sticky goo down her face and tried to lick it away. We took our time strolling around the outer ring watching the sun rise over the horizon, turning the sky from a soft pink to a warm orange tone, having already finished our delightful treats. Shops began to open and people began to emerge from their homes.
“I need to head to the blacksmith before Ryker and I leave to Dusan. I’ll meet you back at Morah later after I get more arrows and replace my daggers,” I said, eyeing the blacksmith down the way.
“Yeah, I need to get back anyway to meet with the Scholars then go to the healer. But don’t take too long or your protective pigeon boy will come looking for you,” she joked.
I rolled my eyes and waved her off as she left the outer ring back to Morah. I talked with Fyn, the blacksmith, and picked out my preferred arrows as he added hilts to my choice of metal for the daggers that were lost during the Trial—the ones I left in the Nagasai’s head. I wondered about Njall, if he had survived would he still be a blacksmith? I didn’t want to think about him, not wanting to dredge up those emotions. I waited while Fyn worked. It took him some time, but once he was finished I paid him, then left.
The streets were bustling with people and traders, and I kept my hood down, thankful that I grabbed Malina’s spare cloak before leaving. I had made it to the secondary ring of Ilrek when an arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me into an alley between two stone buildings.
I whipped around and shoved Cade off me. I hadn’t been paying attention to my terbis, distracted with thinking of preparations for my journey to Dusan.
“What do you want, Cade?” I said sternly.
“How about ‘hi, good to see you,’” he scoffed.
“I prefer not to lie.”
“Don’t be like that. I haven’t seen you since the Trial. I heard you’re Worthy.”
“Yep. Now have a nice day,” I said coldly.
I turned to leave, but he grabbed my wrist and pulled me back. I looked down at his hand, contemplating cutting it off, before slowly dragging my eyes back up to his.
“Kya, wait. Please.” He rubbed his thumb over my wrist in soothing circles.
“What?” I sighed.
“Look, I’ve thought so much about that night. I was a complete ass. Can we just talk for a minute?” he said with soft eyes.
“There’s nothing to talk about.”
