“Regardless, having Caelestis’ greatest asset being well trained in battle can only be to the benefit of the kingdom,” King Hawthorne stated, then dismissed us from the room, not leaving the topic open for discussion.
Chapter
Fifteen
My one-on-one lessons were scheduled to begin that evening, just hours after my meeting with the king. Sebastian walked me to my room so I could rest for a while, though Pia met me as soon as I got back. We were sitting on the floor and I was in the process of knotting her hair into two long braids while I filled her in on my conversation with Sebastian from earlier. I considered telling her about my meeting with King Hawthorne, but I was still trying to process the information, so instead I decided to tell her about the thoughts I'd been having about Sebastian.
“Pia,” I said her name to grab her attention.
She cocked her head to the side to try and see me, but I pushed her head back forward facing.
“Don't move, you'll mess up your hair,” I told her.
She sighed, but obliged. “What were you going to say?”
“It's going to sound foolish.” My cheeks began to burn, and I felt like a little girl with a crush.
“Oh, just spit it out,” Pia whined. “No judgment here.”
My fingers worked effortlessly through her hair. “I think I have feelings for Sebastian,” I said under my breath.
“What did you say?” Pia’s head shot around, ripping my hands free from her hair.
“Pleasedon't make me say it again,” I complained through pouted lips.
“No, I really didn't hear you, you were mumbling.”
“I think I have feelings for Sebastian,” I repeated, only slightly louder.
She stared at me, fighting her smile as she waited for me to elaborate.
“I know it's silly seeing as I hardly even know him, and for most of the time Ihaveknown him we’ve been fighting with each other. But after you left this morning and we talked it wasweird. There's something about him that I just can't shake,” I confessed.
She stayed silent for a moment, probably wishing that I hadn't said anything. Sebastian was her cousin, and I’m sure this was an uncomfortable topic for her. But then her face twisted into the biggest grin I'd ever seen on anyone.
“I knew it!” She pointed a finger at me and jumped to her feet, looking ridiculous with one side of her hair still hanging loosely down her back. “I knew it the minute you told me how upset you were that he wasn't talking to you!” Her voice boomed through my room as she clapped her hands in excitement.
“How did you know it when I didn't even know myself?” I had only admitted my feelings to myself this morning.
“You've mentioned how attractive you find him, which I brushed off at first. But then I started to notice the way you look at him. I'd be surprised if he hasn't noticed, too.”
Her words made my heart stop. “Shit. Has it been that obvious?” I crossed my arms over myself, hugging my own body and chewing on one of my fingers.
Pia sensed my unease and placed a hand on my shoulder. “Hey, it's okay. I barely knew Kohen when he and I, you know.” She winked at me. “Seb is an amazing guy. I know youguys didn't have the best introduction, but that doesn't mean you can't?—”
“We can't,'' I interrupted her.
“Of course you can.”
Shaking my head, I uncrossed my arms. Then the feelings that had built up inside of me released in an emotional outburst. “It would never work, not when he's basically my bodyguard. King Hawthorne would never allow that. And besides, there's no chance that he will ever see me in the same way I see him. There's way prettier girls here, and I'm the kind of girl who gets her ass handed to her on the very first day of combat training. I'm the one who's panicking over something new every other day, and I'm the reason he has to deal with his jackass of a father even more than he used to,” I announced my insecurities, practically yelling them to her.
My eyes burned, but I refused to cry over this. I looked up at the ceiling and stared at it until the stinginess resolved. When my meltdown passed, I dropped my head to look at Pia despite the redness of my cheeks.
She gawked at me, her arms crossed as she tapped her foot on the ground. “Are you done?” she asked, her voice displaying a tone of fraudulent annoyance.
I stared at her blankly, her nonchalance helping bring me back to reality. “Yeah. Sorry that was pathetic.”
Smile lines appeared by her eyes as she tried not to laugh. “Maeve, you are beautiful. Please don't think for a second that you're not. And I promise you that Sebastian isn't the type of man to hold any of those things over someone's head. If he has feelings for you as well, he wouldn't let his father of all people come between that.” She wrapped her arms around me in a hug.
