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“How is he?”
“Oh, he took soto and he’s all good. He felt bad he didn’t give you any, but he said he was bleeding like a stuck pig when you parted ways.”
“That was an accident. I feel bad that I cut him and got him in trouble.”
“I heard Micah agreed to let you train with him again. I was shocked. He’s very protective of you.”
“I could end the world. I’m surprised he allows me out of his sight.”
“I’ve already told you it’s much more than that with you two. You’re linked. We know that. Elysium knows. The butterflies know.”
“I don’t want him to feel stuck with me.” I hug myself. “That’s a pretty horrible thought.”
“Oh, please. Back in the day, couples were paired together by rank and status, much like humans in the olden days. Being pushed together doesn’t make you want and need each other. That comes from within.” She squeezes my arm. “You hungry?”
“Yes, but Micah—”
“He’s skipping breakfast. He’s meeting us after.”
“Oh. Okay. We, ah—”
“Had a fight.”
“Yes. We had a fight.”
“The best makeup sex comes after fights.”
My eyes go wide. “Oh, no. We’re not—”
“Maybe that’s the problem.” She smiles and stands, offering me her hand. “Come on. Let’s eat and make some fire, baby.”
I laugh, but it’s a choked sound that vibrates right where my heart aches over Micah, which I don’t fully understand. We’re not committed to one another. I’m the last person he should even consider being with. I want to reach out to him, but I don’t even know what to say. Instead, I eat a delicious breakfast of crepes with evos and chocolate, paired with friendly conversation.
“What’s the deal with you and Silas?” I ask. “I sense a little spark.”
She snorts, a delicate little sound, and waves that off. “Oh, please. I can barely take his arrogance. There is nothing between us.”
“Then who is the great makeup sex with?”
“I’ve been around a long time,” she says. “I’ve had a few good men, but the best was a human. They love with such passion. They know they have limited years and every moment counts. Or the smart ones do, but I’m never going down that path again. They age. We age slower. We can’t expose our kind to them.”
“Where is he now?”
“Gone. He’s gone.” Her voice cracks slightly. “We should get to work. I know Micah plans to take you out to the forest mid-morning.”
Micah is still coming for me, I think, and there’s a silly little leap in my chest. “Let’s do it,” I say.
A few minutes later, we stand in the same spot we were in the night before, a cauldron of water between us. Gabriella sits and motions for me to do the same. “Don’t we need a shelter around us?” I ask, joining her.
“You’re not even close to making fire.”
“I made the ocean boil. I don’t know how, but I did. Micah thinks it was the red moon.”
“That makes sense. Those nights are strange nights here in Elysium. I think we’re fine. I’ve handled some pretty big fires.” She offers me a crystal blue jewel. “Hold this in your hand and say your spell.”
“It’s beautiful. What is it?”
“It’s from the caverns of Aramis in the kingdom. They’re known for their ability to enhance magic and thus sheltered by the kingdom.”
