Page 117 of A Whisper of Cinders

“This is us, feather. See what we can do, the two of us combined.”

We nearly stand chest to chest, and I look up, analysing his features, wanting to touch those lips so badly I feel like I will die if I don’t.

But something tempers our flames and he smoothly takes a step back until we’re not as close anymore, releasing my hand reluctantly. But it doesn’t matter. My heart still runs a race I can never catch up with.

“I know you had it all under control, Conláed, I just wanted to see how Maily is fairing.”

I stare at Conláed, trying to figure out this knot of emotions I feel inside of my chest. “I am…good.” I answer, not looking away from the magnificent male in front of me.

“Conláed?”

He does avert his gaze and I feel annoyed that I didn’t have the strength to do so. “Her powers are there, she might even be stronger than me. Her emotions and thoughts are what is blocking her. She limits herself. She will have to learn to move past her emotions, past the rational part and just feel.”

Seraphe looks between us, and if even she can tell the second meaning behind his words… “Thank you for your assistance, Conláed. You are excused.”

He nods, giving me a quick glance before walking out. “Later, feather.”

He disappears into the hallway and I am left with a heart that desperately wants to run after him.

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

Ami’s voice combined with her fist knocking on my door interrupts the peaceful silence I was enjoying while reading a book. “Are you almost ready, babes? We need to eat before the game begins and we don’t have that much time left.”

‘The game’ she is talking about is Gleamrush, the football-like team sport and apparently a real thing around Moonveil Academy. There are fan clubs and bets to be placed and a merch shop for those who want to support their favourite team. Aramis, Conláed, Enver, Zale, Arlo and a couple of others form one team called Emberhawks, named after a magnificent birdlike animal that has been extinct for many years.

Their little emblem on the back of their shirts are the wings of this bird, the colour of the feathers going from the deepest shade of purple fading into a light lavender and rippling edges of golden flame. I pull on the grey sweater, the same emblem on the back of it and walk over to the door.

“There you are,” Ami says when I finally emerge from my room. “I thought for a second you were about to abandon me.”

“What? Of course not,” I say and look down at what I am wearing in comparison to her. “Do I need to change?”

Ami halts in her tracks and turns around? “Do you feel good in what you're currently wearing?”

I really stepped out of my comfort zone, choosing a short black skirt with long black leather boots underneath it and white knitted socks that show just above my shoes. My sweater is a little oversized and one of my shoulders is bare, leaving some of my scarred skin on display. Ami explained that the game is played outside, but in a magical dome where there is no snow and it is not cold at all. Not that the cold bothers me anymore.

“I do,” I eventually answer.

She hooks her arm in mine and pulls me forward. “And that is the most important thing. You need to look good for you, babes, and for no one else.” She leaves a small pause. “But you look fucking hot.”

“They are just clothes, Ami,” I answer a little too quickly.

One of her eyebrows lift.“Oh, come now, Maily. I am your best friend and you are mine. We tell each other everything and all that good stuff, right?”

“Right.”

She nods. “So tell me why I wouldn’t have noticed that you are close with my brother and are tangled up with another alpha male that feels like he’s the king of this place.”

I quickly pull her aside and place my hand across her mouth. “Shhh!” I go, ignoring the fact that she is now licking my palm.

She holds her hands up in surrender, but laughs as soon as my hand leaves her face.

“It’s not funny, Ami.”

She leans against the wall. “What isn’t? The fact that two incredibly handsome — or well, at least one of them the other, meh,” I gently smack her upper arm. “Ouch, that hurt. But the fact that the opposite gender is finally seeing you for who you are and I don’t tell you this, because he is my brother and stuff, but he can’t stop talking about you and searches for your attention in every way he can, and Conláed,”

“There is nothing going on between Conláed and me,” I quickly intervene.

She raises a brow. “Please don’t tell me you believe that yourself. You must’ve felt a tug inside of you, a calling that can only be answered once you're near them.”