31
Maeve’s brows are furrowed, seemingly reflecting back to our conversation before her and Cole left for Wendil.
“Maeve.” I say casually, looking towards her.
“Yes.”
“Have you ever been to the city of Faystra?”
Maeve nods, her eyes flaring slightly for just a second as she does and I wonder what she has just remembered.
“For a mission?” I push, urging her to share more.
She shakes her head. “I’ve been there a couple of times, it’s beautiful.”
“That it is.”
I want to press her further, find out why she has visited a few times and what she did. But sometimes with Maeve, she gets cagey, she only gives me the pieces of information that she doesn’t mind sharing. I decide to pry a bit anyway and see how much she’s willing to share.
“So you’ve met the King?”
Another careful nod.
“And does he like you?” As in have you stolen from him or killed someone from his city is what I mean but don’t say.
Maeve hesitates for a moment. “He doesn’t not like me.”
She is being annoyingly vague and it’s Cole who says as much to her from next to me.
Maeve shoots him a look and opens her mouth to say something when I cut her off.
“Perhaps we’re getting a little distracted.” I say looking between them for a moment before turning my attention to Maeve.
“I need to make sure he doesn’t hate you or have reason to. I need his help and I want to be certain that showing up with you by our side is not going to earn us daggers in our chests.”
“It won’t.” She says simply and leaves it at that.
“Very well, we shall leave in two days' time.”
Maeve gets up to leave and I rise to follow.
“I can walk myself to my room.” She says bitterly, throwing me a look over her shoulder.
“Well aware.” I say with my hands up in defense, “maybe I just wanted to spend more time with you.”
“Ugh.” She groans dramatically, “go annoy Cole with your flirting.”
I look back at Cole and he rolls his eyes at us before resuming his eating.
I shrug and step in front of Maeve to open the door for her. “Cole looks busy.”
Maeve glares at me before walking down the hallway at a much faster pace.
“Trying to get rid of me?” I ask, quickly catching up.
“That’s always my plan.”
I smirk at her. “Sure it is.”
“Is there a point to you walking me to my door?” She asks, her voice sounding more and more frustrated. My heart beats harder in my chest. I love getting a rise out of her.
“Other than making you squirm?” I reply with a laugh but do not get one in return. She just pins me with that look she loves to give me all too often.
I sigh and finally offer her my other reason for following her.
“Yes love, I was going to ask you to train with me tomorrow.”
“Don’t you normally train with Cole?” She bites back.
“He can wait.” I say casually with a shrug.
We walk the rest of the way in silence until we’re at her door, where she turns to face me before going inside.
Maeve looks at me, considering my offer to train and crosses her arms before giving me her answer.
“I’m only saying yes because I need to train and it is better when I can train with someone.”
“That’s the only reason?” I ask, looking into her eyes as I slide my hands into my pockets.
Her face twists and she looks like she’s getting flustered. Which in turn brings a smile to my face, even as she points a finger into my chest.
“Don’t push it.”
I look down at her finger and back up at her.
“Or what?” I challenge her, leaning closer.
She shakes her head and then turns around to open the door, I grab hold of the door as she walks in. Not wanting to give her the satisfaction of slamming it in my face.
“See you tomorrow, love.” I say before I close it.