Page 111 of Phoenix's Fire

Callah

Ispent longer with Deenah and Helah than I'd planned. By the time I was finished treating Helah's face so it wouldn't become infected, my sleeves were soaked and my dress had spatters of blood on it. Dinner was coming, so I hurried back to my room, intending to change, but there was someone waiting in front of my door.

Even this far away, I could tell it was Tobias because of his size. What surprised me was how seeing him there put a smile on my face. While I wanted to call out to him, it would be improper, so I simply stretched my legs. Thankfully, he turned to check the hall and saw me heading toward him.

"Hey!" he called.

I lifted my hand. "I'm sorry. I was unaware you would be visiting," I said.

His eyes dropped to my sleeves. "You okay?"

"I was helping someone else."

"Ah." He thrust out his lower lip and nodded. "Um, would you care to have dinner with me? The guys said I should ask. Girls like to eat with their suitors, or something."

"Um..." I looked down at my dress, then back to him. "Do you have a moment for me to change?"

He paused to glance around us, then leaned in. "And I was hoping you'd get those feathers for me."

"Promise," I said. "Excuse me, Tobias."

I slipped past him, into my room, and closed the door behind me. Then I pulled Ayla's picture from my pocket and checked to make sure it hadn't been damaged. A corner was wet, but nothing too bad. Setting that aside, I pulled out a clean smock, changed into it, and then finally fixed my hair. Once that was done, Ifound the feathers in my underwear drawer, put it inside the drawing, and wrapped a fold of my dress around the hand holding them.

"Tobias?" I asked as I opened the door.

He was leaning against the wall beside my door. "Hey, that was fast."

"It's just a dress," I assured him even as I glanced up and down the hall to see if anyone was close.

One of the younger girls was at the far end, waiting for her friend. On the other side, people were passing our hall on their way to the dining area. Deciding this was about as good as I could hope for, I stepped towards his side and pressed the feather and paper into his hand.

"Take these?" I whispered. "I'll explain later."

"Hide it?" he asked.

I nodded.

So he took the handful and shifted it into his pocket. "That feels like the feathers."

"And a drawing," I said, canting my head to show we could go. "Her mother gave it to her."

"Ah." He offered his arm. "So, the dining hall tends to be busier now than when we usually spend time together, but I didn't want to give the wrong impression."

I had to stifle a laugh, because that was obvious. Right now was mealtime. Usually, when he and I sat together, it was while the kitchens were cleaning up. Ofcoursethere would be more people, but I was pretty sure this was just him being a little nervous about someone listening in.

"So where will we sit, Mr. Warren?" I asked.

"Well..." He flashed me a boyish smile. "Since I'm shy and stupid, I don't do too good with girls when my friends can pick on me about it. So maybe where you normally do? But maybe I can sit beside you instead of across from you?"

"And carry my plate as well?" I suggested.

"Definitely," he said. "You might even get more if I pick your meal."

I murmured, thinking about that. "I won't complain."

"Didn't think so," he said. "So what's your favorite, Callah? Fungus or plants?"

"Fungus, actually."

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