Unsure if that was Brea’s way of offering her unspoken forgiveness, Thom grinned warily. “Ha-ha,” he mocked.
Her smile grew, but she turned back to her breakfast.
“Are you feeling all right?” Calyn asked him suddenly.
Thom frowned. “Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Well, you left the party early. Cris had to walk me back.”
“I’m sure you were devastated.”
She ignored his quip. “And now, you look sort of...pallid. There are an awful lot of shadows on your face, particularly under your eyes.”
“I didn’t sleep well,” Thom said tersely.
“Did you drink too much?” Calyn asked.
“No.”
Brea looked up, meeting Thom’s gaze with a sly glimmer in her dark eyes. “Perhaps we ought to call the doctor,” she said. “Sometimes, the weak-bodied develop what’s called ‘air sickness’ this high in the mountains. It would be a pity if you were bedridden the rest of our time in the city,mi’caro.”
Brea spoke with a daring spark that allowed Thom to breathe again. It was as if by her teasing she was offering to overlook the awkward truth if he chose to do so. She seemed determined not to let their friendship waver, just as he hadn’t let hers falter either.
Grateful for her kindness, Thom returned her smile, albeit a bit more nervously than usual. “I’m quite hale,demoloba,” he replied.
“Are you sure?” Calyn asked, leaning forward with worry. “I’ve never seen you so haggard.”
Thom gave her a flat look, but Brea brushed Calyn’s concern away. “Don’t worry, Caly. I’ll keep an eye on him. Now, tell me, did you enjoy your evening with Cris?”
“Oh, yes!” Calyn said, a light blush coloring her cheeks. “He’s quite charming and an excellent dancer. I was worried that it wouldn’t be appropriate to share so many sets with him, but as I didn’t know anyone else, I didn’t feel right accepting many other partners anyway.”
“All Schonese men are trained dancers,” Brea said matter-of-factly. “We highly prize dancing in our culture.”
“I’ve never seen you dance,” Thom said, surprised.
Brea turned a cunning grin his way. “You’ve never asked me to.”
He blanched and chose to let the taunt go. Turning away, he looked at Calyn. “Cris was a gentleman, right? He didn’t try anything untoward?”
Calyn’s jaw dropped along with her eyes. “Of course not,” she said sharply, though she shifted with discomfort in her seat.
Thom studied her knowingly. “He kissed you,” he surmised.
Her dark gaze flew back to his face, her cheeks turning the color of the Fire Relic.
Thom nodded. “I knew it.”
“It was on the cheek, if you must know,” Calyn insisted. “Nothing inappropriate.”
“But still, rather forward.”
Brea made a face. “Kissing on the cheek is a greeting and a farewell in Schon,” she said.
“Well, we aren’t in Schon, are we?” Thom returned. He thought about commenting that Brea had never kissed his cheek in any manner but decided it was best to refrain.
“Decidedly not,” Brea said before turning to Calyn. “While I’m sure Cris meant it more affectionately with you, I am also sure it wasn’t intended to be forward.”
Calyn looked between them, chewing on her bottom lip in a manner that resembled Evylin. “Do you think he’s... Hewouldn’t be interested in forming an attachment,” she said. “Surely, not so soon.”
