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Terin rocked to his side but Fynn was there, propping him up.
Terin blinked a few times, clearing the fog from his eyes. "Remind me why I volunteered for this?" His voice was hoarse and shaky.
"Because I'm your favorite sister?" Kallie suggested, batting her lashes.
"You're ouronlysister," Fynn countered, rolling his eyes. He pulled Terin to his feet. "Come on, Terin. Let's get you some fresh air. You can watch me kick our sister's ass on the training grounds."
Kallie shoved Fynn lightly in response.
"Tough words for a guy about to get beat by his sister," Dani said, appearing from the hall.
"Is that a challenge, my lady?" Fynn said.
Terin groaned, rubbing his temple. "Can you two flirt somewhere else?"
Their laughter followed them through the study doors as Kallie took a step back allowing Fynn and Terin through first. Fynn draped his arm over Dani's shoulders, pulling her toward him, his other arm still near Terin in case he needed support.
Kallie, however, watched from behind as the trio in front of her fell into step with one another. A twinge of jealousy formed in her stomach. Kallie tried to stifle it, but she couldn't and her smile began to fall from her face. She yearned for that kind of relationship. While she had a similar friendship with Myra, it was different. There was an imbalanced power dynamic between her and Myra, one which they often forgot about but was still there, still looming over them. But these three? They were true friends on equal grounds. And Kallie was a mere side character in their story.
They turned the corner to the hall leading to the southern exit of the palace. As they passed the kitchens, the doors were opened and the trio paused when voices flew out. Kallie peered inside.
Graeson leaned over the counter, eating pistachios from a small porcelain bowl while Myra stood on the other side near one of the chefs. The three of them laughing together.
At the sound of footsteps, they turned toward the door and their gazes fell on Kallie and the others.
Graeson, looking back over his shoulder, tipped his head up. "Where are you all off to?"
Fynn said, "The training grounds so Kallie can blow off some steam from my mother's torture."
Kallie's eyes darted toward the chef and Myra, her nerves rising since sharing details about her gift was still not a common practice for her. And from what she had gathered over the past couple of weeks, Myra was still ignorant of her gift. Her friend believed that the training sessions Kallie partook in were only about Pontian politics. However, Myra didn’t seem to notice as she snuck a pistachio from Graeson’s bowl.
"And you think more training is the best way to allow her to cool down?" Graeson asked, cracking open another pistachio.
"Always," Dani said, crossing her arms as she popped her hip out. "Do you have a better idea?"
He popped the peeled pistachio into his mouth, a mischievous smirk on his face. "You know where we haven't been in a while, Fynn?"
Fynn’s eyes narrowed slightly. Even though Fynn was unable to read Graeson's mind, it seemed like he was doing just that at that moment as they exchanged glances.
Graeson shrugged. "Best place to blow off steam in my opinion."
Fynn's gaze turned contemplative and Graeson raised one of his brows as if he was daring Fynn to agree to whatever secret conversation they were having. Graeson's gaze flicked toward Kallie then swung back to Fynn.
Fynn sighed. "Fine. I guess we all do deserve some fun."
"Care to share with the group?" Dani asked, elbowing him in the side.
"We're going out," Graeson said, throwing yet another pistachio into his mouth.
"Out?" Kallie asked
“Is the little mouse nervous?” Graeson asked, teasing. He crushed another pistachio's shell in his hand, releasing a small cracking sound.
Kallie scoffed in response, not bothering to argue with him.
"Myra?" Graeson asked, not taking his eyes off Kallie.
Myra straightened. "Yes, sir?"
