Chapter 15
Chapter
Fifteen
TATE
I knew Ara had a stubborn streak as wide as the central plains of Belarra, but it seems she also has a ruthless side I missed so far. Needless to say, my careful planning didn’t work out as I had wanted it to. I now have three inexperienced riders in my flight, and not all the gifts I planned on.
Ilario’s emotion-bending could come in handy, but having two fire gifted instead of another element and Tethys’s necromancy … not so much.
Sure, I could have hoped Ara was just bluffing, but the truth in her voice and her expression told me she would have gone through with it. And my brother would have been too eager to assist her to risk it. I’m not going to let pride get in the way of avenging my friends.
Her actions prove I don’t know her, can’t trust her … and yet my eyes and thoughts keep coming back to her. Combined with the need to keep her close, it’s a disaster waiting to happen.
We get back from our run and head to the atrium for training just when the sun rises over the horizon.
“While we are on patrol, I want you to stay and attend classes,” I address our first years.
“At least until you master your gifts. The last thing I need is one of you dying out there and disqualifying our flight before the trials even start.” My eyes land on Ara.
But against my expectations, she doesn’t argue. Instead, she looks … relieved?
“The first trial will be a group operation, the second will be more about single competitions. The results will be summed up and make up our final score. The flight with the highest score represents our Aerie.”
Everyone nods.
While Ara’s threat fucked with my plan, I have to grudgingly admit that she was right about her friends. They not only hold their own in training and sparring but also fit in with my flight. Another plus is that Ilario, Tethys, and Cassius stick to Ara’s side, so I don’t have to.
Cassius bumps Ara’s shoulder and they both laugh over something he said, as we head for the obstacle course. I tell myself again that it’s good that he stays close. Maybe one day it will override my irritation.
Everything goes well until it’s Ara’s turn. She shoots through the course like a squirrel, with no regard to caution or safety. Didn’t she hear a word I said earlier? I grind my teeth.
If I didn’t know better, I would say she did it solely to piss me off. I wait until I no longer have the urge to yell at her, and then motion her over from where she stands talking and laughing with Cassius again. Her face falls, but she comes over, her movements screaming her reluctance.
“Cut the risky bullshit,” I tell her. “If you want my attention, talk to me.”
“You are delusional if you think my world revolves around you,” she snarls. “I was simply having fun, but I should have known you wouldn’t recognize that basic emotion even if it bit you.”
“Huh, did my brother forget the part of his tale where I bartered away my heart and replaced it with a stone?” I ask dryly.
“I gave you a way out, you chose to stay, so I expect you to pull your weight in this flight and not risk the whole competition because you’re having fun.
” I take a step closer, looming over her menacingly.
“And don’t even think about pulling something like last time again.
You don’t want me as an enemy, Ara. And you are not the only one with connections. ”
She tilts her head back and looks at me with pure defiance. Holy mists, that should not turn me on like it does. And the fact that she isn’t the least bit intimidated? That shouldn’t make me want to kiss her.
“What are you going to do?” She smirks. “Write my brother?”
“Fuck no. I deal with my problems and don’t run for help.” And mists, if she isn’t the most irritating and tempting problem I’ve ever met.
Her mouth drops open, and I turn and walk away, the corner of my mouth creeping up at the angry huff behind me.
If she thinks she can push without me pushing back, she is sorely mistaken.