Page 94 of A Tribute of Fire

“That’s different. We were in a very large group and only went under Theano’s specific direction. Like Ahyana said, Troas isn’t safe. Not like the temple.”

I stifled a groan. If there were no approved excursions, I was going to have to sneak out and risk getting caught.

Tonight. After the others had gone to bed, I would find my way to the docks.

All I would have to do was what Jason had sung and follow the blue lines on the labyrinth walls.

More images of him from my dreams filled my mind, him dragging his lower lip along my thigh, questing for—

“Lia?” Io said. “Did you hear me?”

Letting out a shaky breath, I said, “No. I’m sorry. What were you saying?”

“That you need to get changed.”

“From one black tunic to another?” I glanced down at myself. “Why? I didn’t get that dirty today.”

Io went over to the large wooden cabinet where everyone hung their spare tunics and cloaks. “For what’s next. Here, I hemmed this for you this morning.”

I took the black tunic from her and held it up. It was extremely short, which surprised me. “What is this for?”

“Training,” Io replied.

I was confused. “Do I need to be taught the correct way to lay down fertilizer for the flowers?”

Suri grinned at me while Zalira rubbed her hands together with delight. “It’s not that kind of training.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Despite my repeated requests, they refused to give me any further details and seemed to be enjoying the fact that they knew something I didn’t.

They all changed into similarly short tunics and we walked across the complex together. In my outfit this felt so eerily similar to going to work with Demaratus in the morning that I again felt homesick. I listened as they bantered back and forth, looking beyond the temple toward the labyrinth walls, trying to remember where the southern entrance was so that I could use it.

Zalira looked over her shoulder at me and announced, “We heard all about Jason.”

Oh no. Now they were going to turn their teasing on me. “You told them?” I said to Io.

She shrugged innocently and said, “We don’t keep secrets.”

Suri’s gaze turned guilty and she looked away. There was at least some comfort in knowing I wasn’t the only one holding back.

“Yes, and we would like all the details,” Ahyana added, her eyes sparkling.

“There are no details,” I said.

All four of them managed to exchange knowing glances.

“No one here believes you,” Io said in a singsong voice.

“It was nothing!” I protested.

Suri shook her head and Zalira said, “Again, we don’t believe you.”

In exasperation I threw my hands up. “Fine. I kissed him once.”

There were too many voices and questions for me to keep track of and try to respond to.

“Was it good?”

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