Page 51 of A Whisper of Cinders

It takes a minute for me to remember where I am. My room at Moonveil - which still sounds insane to me - is breathtaking. Couldn’t have asked for anything more. When I turn my head to the window, I notice that the clouds are a little lighter than what I’m used to, but not a hint of sunlight to be seen.

I sit upright and lift my arms above my head, placing the back of my hand in the palm of the other and pushing upward, enjoying the stretch it gives my aching muscles.

Aramis didn’t come back for dinner last night. Or…maybe he did, but I escaped too deep into sleep and didn’t notice him. I wasn’t hungry then, but now? I’m ravenous.

I throw the covers away and walk towards the bathroom when I see a small piece of paper lying in front of the door. Nerves make my stomach turn. Who would send me a note already? I pick up the paper and unfold it, immediately recognising the handwriting.

Heard you want to get into training. Pretty badass. Wear something you can move easily in.

Aramis

Mrs Delalune actually kept her word. I don’t know why that surprises me. Maybe because I’ve heard a lot of promises, but they never kept their word. A smile tugs at the corners of my lips. Although it makes me a little nervous, I also can’t wait to begin training.

I head into the bathroom to take care of my necessities, then walk towards the closet to see if there’s anything in there that looks remotely suitable for training.

On one of the left-handed shelves lay three tight leggings in a stretchy material with the T-shirts and bras in the same colour next to it. I decide to go with the forest green set and grab an oversized black sweater as well. Black sneakers stand at the bottom of the closet, exactly my size and I finally grab a pair of white socks.

I don’t know where all these clothes come from or who they belong to, but I can’t take all of this for free. Even if they are hand-me-downs, which I don’t think they are based on the impeccable state they are in.

I tie the shoes and walk out of the room, trying to remember the route to the cafeteria. I wasn’t really expecting Aramis to wait outside my door, but it would’ve been good for my anxiety. Walking through these unfamiliar halls by myself is a little scary to say the least. Everyone is probably still asleep, so I gather my courage and walk towards the staircase.

My teeth worry my lip as I reach the bottom of the stairs, afraid I will have to ask someone where the restaurant is. But when I take in the grand open hall in front of me, I catch sight of the familiar doors that lead towards it.

The hall is empty, safe for a few wandering souls, but I keep my eyes strained on the double doors, push them open once I reach them and walk inside.

The restaurant is nearly empty and I breathe a little easier again. It really must be early in the morning then, but it makes it so much easier to spot Aramis who gives me a little wave as he sees me searching.

I order scrambled eggs on toast and some yoghurt with fruit on the side, remembering I enjoyed that yesterday. It’s ready in a couple of minutes and I make my way over to Aramis.

“Good morning. I was about to pick you up, but you beat me to it. I’ll keep that in mind. Did you sleep well?”

So he was coming for me. Huh, I wasn't expecting that. But it shouldn’t surprise me based on how he treated me yesterday. I think about his question for a moment. To my surprise, I do feel rested. “Yes, thank you. And you?”

He stops chewing and blinks a few times before answering. “I’ve had better nights, but it’s fine. Nothing a good breakfast can’t fix.” He takes a sip of what I presume is orange juice before speaking again. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you woke up. I really thought you were going to sleep in.”

I bite into the toast, the fluffy eggs melting away on my tongue and I nearly moan again. But I can contain it, barely. “No need to worry, I found it, didn’t I?”

“You did.” Aramis observes me with a look I can’t quite decipher. Unsure of what to do or say, I continue eating, amazed by how delicious everything tastes, the full flavours dance around my tongue.

When his eyes roam across my face for the tenth time in equally as many minutes, I can’t hold it in anymore. I put down my fork and wait until our gazes meet. “Is everything alright?”

“Of course, why wouldn’t I be?”

I’m not imagining things, am I? “You’re staring at me as if I have this horrible disease I’ll never heal from.”

He breaks eye contact first and looks down at his hands resting on the table in front of him. “I’m sorry, Mai, I am just worried, that is all.”

An uneasy feeling settles in my stomach. “Worried? About what?”

He laughs, but it lacks joy. “You, of course.”

Me? I frown, unsure of how to respond. Deciding it might be good to fake confidence I don’t have, I tilt my head a little to the side as I saw Ami do many times before and put up a convincing, teasing smile.

“Have I already gotten under your skin?”

His eyes go wide, one of his fingers draws slow circles on the table, refusing to look at me. “You have no idea.”

My smile falters. “I’m joking.”