Page 113 of Frost and Death
The two of them are silent in their own contemplation.
“Did the king say when he would train you?” Betina asks.
“No,” I grumble. “He said I had to earn that chance by helping him first.”
Niko shakes his head. “What an asshole.”
I shrug, familiar with people being assholes. There have beenplentyof occasions when I’ve been one, too. I am sure Niko and Betina themselves have muttered how much of an asshole I can be when my grief is unbearable.
But each day I meet Jerrick in the library, I understand his cause a little bit more, finding him not as awful as I thought.
He did not associate with me because of his mistrust of my family, a sentiment I, too, hold close to my heart. But Jerrick put his issues aside when he chose to tell me everything and even offered a small token of peace. He is facilitating trade between Palaena and Axidoria, and if I everearnthe right, he will help train my gifts.
Even though Jerrick went about telling me everything in a fragmented way, I find myself empathizing with him.
“He told me he did not want to associate with the daughter of the woman who cursed him, and I get it,” I tell Niko and Betina.
“You get it?” Niko protests.
I don’t react to the sharp bite in his tone. “Palaena views Axidoria as Axidoria views Palaena—as the enemy.”
Niko grimaces, angry and annoyed that I’m living with the enemy.
I place a hand on my heart. “I only get it because it is how I feel myself.”
Those amber eyes flare as Niko seethes silently. “It’s not because of anythingelse, right?”
Confusion draws my eyebrows together, not understanding his question.
Betina glances between us and lightly touches Niko’s elbow. “Tove knows how hard you’ve already been working on calling the banners and training everyone.”
Emotions strain in my throat, and my eyes water.
For the first time since talking to Niko, he relaxes, and the ache in my chest tightens at the strain I have put him under.
“Niko.”
My voice strains.
His head drops, patting Betina’s hand in thanks.
Her deep brown eyes offer me sympathy.
I mouth the wordslove youto her, and she does the same in return.
Betina peers out the window, checking the time of day.
I do the same, panicking when I realize I am running late for my standing appointment in the library with Jerrick.
She grabs Niko by the arm, ushering him out as she speaks. “Tove is running late. We need to let her go.”
I hurry out of bed, carrying Mother’s mirror with me as I watch Niko and Betina try to leave.
Niko’s eyes find mine, and my heart springs out of my chest, hopeful to see his handsome, boyish grin. But his features remain stark as he warns, “Be careful.”
My hope for him saying something else cracks my mood. I nod quickly, uttering the same to him. “You, too.”
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