Page 56 of Under Restless Skies

At least I got dressed in the bathing chamber, and I’m wearing a blue linen dress that looks good with my boots. If I had more time on my own, I would put some color on my cheeks, but I don’t want to do it in front of him.

“Quite ready. Let’s go.”

We leave the academy through a small passage similar to the one we took when he got me out of prison. The air outside is fresh with the scent of rain and ocean breeze, and we walk slowly toward the area of the city near the port.

When we get to the back of the Grease & Spice, I knock on the door and my chest feels both full and light when I see Laristella opening it for me. It’s odd to think that I missed her, but it seems that I did.

“Hi,” I say, feeling oddly shy.

“Come in. Good to see you. Your brother’s upstairs.” She gestures for me to enter, then turns to Alayel. “You are?”

He extends a hand to her. “Alayel. Her colleague in the Sky Academy.”

His words don’t mean anything and yet warm my heart. They make me feel that I belong, that we’re equal.

Laristella rushes him in, shakes his hand, then turns around and yells, “Kaio, your sister’s here!” She turns to us and gestures to the small table at the corner of the kitchen. “Have a seat. Now if you’ll excuse me…”

“How are things going?” I ask.

“All smooth. Sina finally got the hang of the stew. Not perfect like yours, obviously, but still good. And if you’re happy, that’s what counts, right?”

“I am.” Despite everything, it’s the truth. While I’m still not where I want to be, I’m closer to getting there.

She pats my shoulder. “That’s good to hear. Just try not to die.”

“I’ll do my best.”

Kaio comes down the ladder, and Laristella walks away. She wouldn’t be busy at this time, since the Grease & Spice only opens at lunch, but I think she wants to give us privacy—or maybe she’s upset that I left. I can’t change that.

But seeing my brother’s smile erases any traces of guilt.

“Mah, how’s the academy?” he asks.

“Good. Very interesting. I’m learning a lot about dragons.”

He wrings his hands. “Learning how fast they’ll kill you?”

I don’t think he’s joking, but I won’t lie. “That’s part of it, yes.”

Kaio stares at Alayel blankly, as if he’d noticed him only now, and Alayel extends his hand. “I’m your sister’s friend. Alayel.”

“Kaio.”

Alayel takes a seat beside us. “I heard so much about you. Your sister loves you very much, did you know that?”

“No.” My brother frowns, looking puzzled, and turns to me, a question on his face.

“No?” I slap his arm softly. “Really? No?”

Kaio shrugs. “How am I supposed to guess?”

The door opens, and Laristella walks in, holding a tray with three cups of lemonade, which she places on the table. “Here. Have something to drink. I’ll let you all talk in peace.”

“Thanks,” I tell her.

“It’s nothing.” She shakes her head and rushes out of the kitchen.

I turn to my brother. “How are you doing?”