Page 63 of A Whisper of Cinders

“Oh Aramis, you should take her to the library. Trust me Maily, you’ll never want to leave that place.”

It never occurred to me to as if there is a library here. I guess I didn’t really need that much of an escape as I did in Anima.

Aramis’ hands go through his hair, as if he wants to decline, but is too polite to do so. “You don’t have to. Please don’t feel obligated to do so,” I say.

“Hey, I’m not. I was just thinking if I got things to do this afternoon and I actually don’t. Would you like to go after lunch?”

“I’d love to!”

“It’s a date then.”

I try to subdue my coughing while nearly choking on my sandwich.

“Everything alright, Maily?”

I manage a squeaking: “Never been better.”

“Splendid! I just have a little errand to run, but I will be back before you’re finished eating, I promise. Wait for me outside the restaurant, okay?” He winks and picks up his tray, leaving me alone with a very excited Siri.

“So, what’s that all about?”

Now my cheeks are burning. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Her mouth falls open. “What do you mean? He totally asked you out, dummy!”

My palms start to sweat. “No, he didn’t.”

She leans back in her seat again. “Oh yes, he did. To the library.” She sighs dramatically. “How romantic.”

I continue eating in silence. I wouldn’t call it a date. Yes, we’ve been spending a lot of time together and it feels very natural and spontaneous. But I’m pretty sure Aramis sees me as a friend at most. And I’m fine with that. I think.

I quickly finish my lunch and wave Siri goodbye who is grinning like a fool, but picks up her book again as I leave.

As I’m waiting in the big hall, I can’t help but feel a little nervous. In the books I’ve read, there’s a lot of flirting going on, subtle touches and most of the time it leads to a kiss. The thought alone turns my stomach upside down. But not in a bad way.

Maybe I should’ve dressed differently. My outfit is basic, a dark chocolate pair of trousers and a cream wool sweater with a high neck. Do I have time to change?

“Maily!”

I jump back, bump into the wall with my elbow, the painful electric shock vibrating through my arm.

“My apologies, milady, I didn’t mean to scare you,” Aramis says as he suppresses a grin.

“That’s alright.” I respond, a hand across my beating heart.

“Walk with me?”

I nod and walk next to him.

We walk in silence for a while, the comfortable kind. He navigates me through a maze of halls and I’m lost within seconds.

“Are you though?” He asks and I look up at him, brows furrowing. “Alright?”

Other than the nerves that currently fuel my steps? “I am, but thank you for asking.”

“About the date thing… I was just joking, Mai.” I flinch. Auch. “Shit. That came out wrong. I’m sorry. What I meant to say is, I’d love to go on a date with you, but this is just a friendly walk and tour of the library.”

I look up, he’s already watching me, gently biting his lip, the green in his eyes so much lighter than usual. Those lips, I never really understood it when they talked about it in books. But now? Oh, how I wish I could feel them on mine, tracing a path down my neck, how his tongue would follow my pulse and —