The third one makes me laugh.
He tried sneaking into the training grounds today.
I heave a sigh of relief and clutch her letters to my chest. I whisper thanks to the gods. The next few are from Mina:
We’ve been searching for the crystal, so I’m sorry it’s taken me this long to write to you! Agatha is pissed at the idea that they’ve been housing an object of evil.
I miss you so much!
We’ve found the crystal. I will wait for your instructions. When will you be here?
XoXo, Mina
Great, one less problem to solve.
The last letter is from Luna.
Mathilda made me write. Everything is fine. The redhead is stalking me.
I chuckle,flopping back on the bed to gaze at the star-painted ceiling. Everything suddenly feels as it should be.Everyone is okay.
Time to get a move on and restore the last island. Reinvigorated in our mission, I slide off the bed and change back into my leathers before I pack.
A knock on the door interrupts me. I tilt my head back to the ceiling and exhale sharply through my nose. The person on the other side of the door knocks harder and I grumble to myself before throwing my pack on the bed and flinging the door open to see—Neva.
She’s startled by my abrupt appearance, but recovers and peers around me.
“I’m s-sorry. I was looking for Captain Freysson.”
I guess I hadn’t made myself clear enough about my relationship with Lach.
My eyes narrow onto her beautiful face before taking in the rest of her. She’s wearing a sheer gold nightgown with a matching robe left undone. I try not to snort.Oh, she thought she was coming in here for him.
Still, I try to remain pleasant. “He’s not here at the moment.” I place a hand on the doorframe as she leans towards me.
Her eyes settle on my hand, blocking her entry. “Leaving so soon?”
“We still have one last island to restore magic to.” I cock my head to the side.
Surely she will not try to push through me?
She stands on her tiptoes to look around me and into the room at the disheveled sheets and unused bedroll. “Are you and the captain…?”
“Together?” I smile. “Yes.”But she knew that already.Lachlan had told her he was unavailable.
Her bravado fades, and she jerks her head from side to side. “But he is your captain!” Her voice raises. “It is forbidden.”
My face must reflect all the fury that writhes beneath my skin. “Sayswho?”
She turns to flee down the hallway. But she doesn’t make it more than a handful of steps before my mouth opens.
“Hey Neva—” I shout. She stops in her tracks and looks over her shoulder. I purposefully rake my eyes over her. “Beautiful dress.”
I slam the door shut. Stalking back to the bed, I grab my pack and throw the rest of my belongings in it before grabbing Lachlan’s and doing the same. I heft mine on my back and hold Lachlan’s to my chest before stumbling out of our room and into the hall.
Fury has me trembling.
How dare she. How dare anyone tell me who I can and cannot be with?
