“Fuck off, Cal,” he whines gruffly. “If I remember correctly, you were noticeably absent from training.”
I grin. “The Stone has to be my first priority. Plus, I sparred with Ginna this morning.”
“Uhuh. Sure. The Stone is your priority,” he drawls. “Ginna mentioned something about a lover’s spat with a certain brown-haired beauty?”
I wave a hand in a vague gesture. “Don’t know what she’s talking about.”
“The female brunette, I meant to say,” Hanson smirks at me deviously. “Although Ancients know there were enough fights with the other brunet.”
My jaw tightens and I stop the urge to pick up the discarded waterskin and throw it right back at Hanson’s freckled face. Hanson joined the Hunters when he was a gangly sixteen-year-old, all limbs and no muscle. His red hair had stuck out like a sore thumb against the others, and I pushed him hard in training. At being only eighteen myself, I had been double his size and saw him as a younger brother, and I’m proud of how far he’s come. At six-two and solidly built, you couldn’t see the teenage version of him anymore. He, Ginna, and I have been inseparable ever since, meaning that there is nothing in my life, past or present, that they both didn’t know about.
Hanson throws his hands up to surrender. “Sorry, low blow. You know I’m only joking.”
I keep quiet as I grab a tray and start scrounging for food for Elia. I grab a loaf of bread, some cheese, and a few fruits from the counter. There’s dried meat in the pantry and I turn to add that to the spread.
Hanson places his hand on my shoulder and spins me around. “Cal, talk to me. How’s everything going, honestly? I haven’t seen you since you and Ginna left, and she’s only told me pieces.”
I swallow and drag a twitching hand through my hair. My hands can never keep still, the tremor from my old injury always present. Where do I even start? “I caught Elia up on everything this afternoon. She’s agreed to help us but also suspects it’s an impossible task and I don’t disagree with that.”
“We know there’s the possibility of not finding it. That’s always been the case.” Hanson leans back on one of the counters.
“I know, but it seems more real now.” I gingerly touch the bandage covering up some of the cuts caused by the king’s bottle last night. “I can’t fail now, Hanson.”
“And we won’t. We’ll find it.”
“We’ll see.” I lift one shoulder. “I can’t stay long – I told Elia I’d bring her dinner.”
“We’re going to gloss over it, then?” Hanson stares at me pointedly.
“Gloss over what?”
“Elia? The girl you’re single-handedly bringing food to instead of asking one of the staff to do so? You haven’t told me anything about her, but Ginna told me that she saw yousmileat Elia. A real, genuine smile. Honestly, we didn’t think you still knew how,” Hanson chuckles.
I shake my head. “There’s nothing to tell. Elia will hopefully help us find the Stone, and then I promised her she would be paid well and be able to live her own life.”
“And?” Hanson raises his eyebrows at me, still giving the pointed stare.
“And what?” I retort back, growing frustrated.
“Nothing else to add? Nothing about maybe a spark or two, a connection forming…” He trails off.
I groan, resting my elbows on the counter and collapsing forward so my head touches the surface. I voice my thoughts that have been plaguing me since we met. “She’s beautiful, Han. Stunning. She has this bright soul that shines through.” Even through my blackened heart. I tilt my head up in Hanson’s direction. “I haven’t felt this strongly so early on about anyone since –” His name catches in my throat, but Hanson understands.
“Cal, it’s been years. It’s okay to move on. Healthy, even. I’m glad you’re smiling again. Truly.”
“I can’t go through that again. I won’t.”
“Look, I’m not telling you to marry her. I’m telling you to see where things go. Talk with her. Take her to town. Allow yourself to be open to something good for once.”
I push myself off the counter and straighten. He’s right. I’m acting ridiculous over a crush. I can take it one day at a time. I’m too busy fast-forwarding to the end, instead of enjoying the journey.
“Thanks, Hanson. I needed that.”
“Now, go be a good kitchen maid and deliver her some food.” He slides the tray of food towards me, grinning.
“Fuck off,” I grumble, picking up the tray. I hear his laughter echoing through the kitchen as I take the stairs back up to the library.
The library is quiet as I walk to the back table. The sun has fully set, and the moonlight now shines through the window. One of the staff must have come by and lit the candles, and the flickering lights illuminate the books.
