Page 111 of A Whisper of Cinders

I’m so ravenous, I want to try everything all at once. Siri reaches out for my hand, giving it a little squeeze. “How are you holding up, Mai?” She visually shivers. “I’ve never seen a Myrvael up close before, but I can imagine how scared you must’ve been.” A small frown appears between her blonde brows. “Although I must admit I’d love to research one, yet I am relieved that none have crossed my path.”

Neo feeds Ami some grapes and she playfully bites at her fingers. The sight makes me smile, she looks so happy.

“It’s a feeling I wouldn’t wish upon anyone else. How everything dies around you before you are being drained as well… I was terrified and knew I was going to die, until Ami appeared and saved my ass.”

Ami stills and looks at Neo before her gaze finds mine. “I did find you when you were back on land, but I wasn’t the one to pull you out of the water. My powers…don’t really work like that.” She holds up her hand and creates a small sculpture of ice. “I can manipulate the frozen form of water. I create ice shards or make a frozen lake crack, my shield is pretty strong too. But I have no influence over liquid water.”

“But…who did save me? Was it one of the others, Aramis?”

She shakes her head. “I’m not sure, but…”

“Maybe nature was on your side, Maily, protecting you,” Neo adds.

“Yes, maybe.” I’m not convinced, though.

Siri squeezes my hand again. “It doesn’t matter, I’m happy you got out and feel alright.”

Ami grins around the rim of her glass. “Of course she’s doing alright, she got to ride my brother. Who wouldn’t be happy with that?”

I spit out half of my drink, the liquid running down my chin. I quickly wipe it away. Did she really just say that?

“Well, well,” Neo teases. “Naughty, naughty girl.”

Siri looks as shocked as I feel right now. “I didn’t…it’s…it’s not like that at all. He was in his animal form and offered me a ride back. It was very polite and not sensual in any way.”

Ami scrapes her throat.

Okay, maybe it was a little, but they don’t need to know that. The thought alone creates an inferno within me.

“I bet you wish it was different though,” Ami says with a wink.

I open my mouth, close it and open it again. “You know what, I’m not even going to comment on that.”

The three burst into laughter and I can’t help but join them. Neoma analyses me for a moment. “But there is something going on between the two of you. It’s as clear as a full moon.”

I shift under their curious gazes, a glow spreading inside of me and eventually settle my eyes at my hands before I answer. “We sort of uh…kissed.” A deep, tongue twisting, toe curling kiss.

The room explodes in high pitched squeaks of excitement.

“When did this happen?”

“Why haven’t you told us sooner?”

“I’m so happy for you!”

They say it all at the same time and it makes me instantly feel better. Yet, something still burdens me. “I’m sorry, Ami…”

Ami grabs my hands and silences me. “Hey, don’t apologise? I do not own him. Do I get what you see in him? Not really, but I mean I guess he is kind of good looking since we did share a womb —”

“Dear moons Ami, stop it!” Neo says as she gives Ami a gentle push. “Your brother is smoking hot and you know it. I would be all over him if I were into the opposite sex.”

Ami winks. “Thank you.”

We all look a little confused at her. “We are twins after all,” she states and we laugh again.

Thankfully, they don’t ask for further details, although the questions are burning on Ami’s tongue. The only reason why she isn’t voicing them, is because my kiss was shared with her brother.

I never had nights like this, or at least not that I can remember. But it warms my heart. Friends who care about me, care about my wellbeing and are worried when I get hurt. Friends who make me laugh and forget about the horrors that wait outside of this room, even for a little while.