Page 153 of A Thread of Breath and Bone

My brows pinch in confusion.

“He’s fine. He will be fine. He’ll be back before lunch, and then he said something about you guys training your magic today.” When I don’t respond, he throws his hands up. “Sorry, Raea.”

Before I can force it out of him, Carys and Brynna enter the dining hall. They’re both back to wearing their usual attire. Brynna in her brown leather pants and a cropped top. Carys in a gown with some sort of armor built into the bodice of her chest.

They surprise me when they both sit.

Brynna takes the open seat beside Trysten, leaving me to sit beside Carys and Ciara at the opposite end. I glare back at Trysten over my shoulder as I walk away, and he ducks his head.

Coward.

As breakfast finishes, Carys states that she’ll be taking me to work with Vaeric at Zhaerinth while the others are to follow Brynna to the temple.

“The temple?” I ask.

Carys’ face softens. “Your awakening was summoned by the gods. We have a tonic, and Caelus instructed us to deliver them, so the priestesses can do their awakening at the Galanvae Temple in the peaks of the Schie range. It’s the second-highest temple.”

I sit straighter. “The tonic will help with the…pain?”

She pops a blackberry into her mouth. “I mean, it’s never been tested, but hypothetically, yes. And it was a gift to you from Caelus.”

“And this is why we’re friends with her,” Tate says, placing a hand on each of my shoulders as he shakes me. “Gods give her gifts.”

“Tate.” I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Just…” Ugh, I want to scream at him, but I can’t fault him. If I had known the exact day and time of my awakening, I would have been a wreck. “You’ll be okay. You can challenge me to a race or something when you get back.”

He perks up at that. “Promise me. No backing out now.”

I roll my eyes, holding out my arm. He grips my wrist. “I promise.”

He grins, looking to Carys and Brynna. “When do we leave?”

As promised, Vaeric is waiting for me when I step through the gateway. He doesn’t hesitate before tossing me a sword. I catch it midair, amazed at how light it is. I twist the blade in my hand, looking at the intricate design in the hilt. The blade itself is absolutely perfect.

“I had it made for you. You’ll get your own blade soon enough, but this is a good one to practice with.” His thick rolling accent is like music to my new hearing. It’s amazing the sounds I can pick up now.

I thank him, dropping my cloak before entering the ring of sand with him.

“You’ll be practicing with your new senses. We’ll start with some warm-ups, but I want you to focus on feeling the air as it moves with you and with the blade. Once you’ve honed that skill, we’ll work on doing it with your eyes closed.” He winks as he takes up a defensive stance. “Ladies…or should I say, females first.”

I shove the coldness of last night into a box and focus on the fact that I woke up to Ryker’s note instead of him. I decide to let my anger fuel my swing. My blade reverberates off his as metal clangs against metal. He raises a single brow, and I remember I’m supposed to be paying attention to the air.

“Again,” he commands.

An hour later, I’m sweating and even angrier at Ryker that he still hasn’t shown up. Vaeric is enjoying himself. The warrior paces the ring opposite me with a grin on his stupid, beautiful face.

I still haven’t gotten used to everyone being so beautiful. I should, since I’m surrounded by them all the time now. I miss home, and right now, I’m mad that the gods created me and my stupid twin, who is some evil mistress of darkness. I’m mad about this war. I’m mad that I felt so damn helpless last night. I had made a promise to never be weak and when it mattered, I was.

I’m mostly mad at myself. My body flushes with my starlight, reacting to my anger.

“You know,” Vaeric starts, his dark hair catching the light. “To be efficient in war, you have to have a clear mind. You’re fighting with emotions, and therefore, you’re sloppy and distracted.”

I huff, hating that he’s right. Professor Ainslyn told me the same thing. I wish he were here, too. Gods, why am I so angry? I’m used to being angry, but this is different.

I scream, charging at Vaeric, holding my blade high as I bring it down upon him. He blocks with ease, moving in a series that has me rolling my own ankle as I fall into the sand. He lifts a brow as if to say see.

“I get it!” I stand, blowing the loose strand of my hair out of my face. “I don’t even know why I’m this angry.”

He tilts his head, looking me over. It seems as if he stands there for a full minute before he asks, “Where is your mate?”