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“I think that might be someone else’s job now.” She gave a significant look toward the cabin where Hayes had disappeared, still carrying Amara. Presumably he was finding her a bed so she could continue her much-needed sleep. I just hoped she wouldn’t be disturbed by all the commotion outside.
Renley’s eyebrows went up slowly, and he threw a considering look at the cabin. I elbowed Luna, glaring at her. She might speculate to me, but it was much too early to be making comments to strangers.
But as they continued to chat, exchanging news, it became apparent they were far from strangers. Luna finally noticed me staring.
“Renley and I grew up together in the Calistan settlement,” she explained. “It was a small enough place that everyone knew everyone, but our parents were particular friends.”
She turned to Renley. “And this is the dearest of my new friends, Delphine.”
I couldn’t help smiling at the label, but the expression froze when Gia whipped around to face me. She had been wheedling Nik in a quiet voice while Renley and Luna spoke, but she had clearly been listening for the introduction.
“I’m Gia!” She held out her hand, beaming at me with her whole face. “It’s lovely to meet you, Delphine.”
I stepped forward to take her hand, relieved to see my arm wasn’t shaking. But when I began to bow over it, she snatched it away horrified.
“No, no, no! You can’t do that!”
“I’m sorry, Your Highness,” I said, startled.
“Please don’t do that either,” she begged me earnestly. “It’s just an honorary title these days, you know. I left court precisely because I couldn’t stand all of that. Just call me Gia.”
I shot a glance at Nik, who was watching me intensely, something on his face I couldn’t read.
“Very well, if you insist,” I said, pulling myself together. Gia was probably the most important person in the kingdoms to Nik, and I wanted to salvage as good an impression as was still possible. “I’m Delphine,” I added unnecessarily. “Master Amara’s apprentice.”
“The hero of Eldrida! I’ve heard of you,” she said, making both my hands fly up and wave in protest.
“No, no, those stories are all exaggerated! I didn’t—” My words broke off as I caught the mischievous twinkle in her eye.
“Please forgive my mannerless twin,” Nik said stiffly. “She’s well aware of how public opinion can distort matters.”
“Oh, Nik.” Gia sighed. “I’m glad you care about people now, but couldn’t you also try being a bit more fun?”
He glared at her, and I moved to his side, offering him my silent support. He smiled down at me, his expression softening, and Gia gave a happy sigh.
His face immediately closed off again, but the damage was already done.
“I knew it!” Gia said, her eyes shining. “Delphine, I really amveryglad to meet you.”
“I’m glad to meet you, too,” I said, warming to the intense girl in spite of myself. It was hard to resist her irrepressibility or her obvious affection for her brother.
“So you’re elements affinity?” she asked, giving her brother a quick sideways look.
“Actually I’m a healer,” I said awkwardly.
“Ooh, cross-influenced! Yes, of course, I should have remembered that from the stories in Eldrida. Interesting.” She gave her brother another look.
A wave of irritation swept over me. “You don’t have to keep looking at him like that. He isn’t obsessed with elements anymore.”
Gia’s eyebrows sprang up to her hairline, and I flushed as I realized what I’d just said. I glanced apologetically up at Nik, but he was looking down at me in amusement.
“Healers can be fierce when roused,” he said with a grin.
Gia’s eyes widened at his reaction. “I really, really like you, Delphine,” she said with a beaming smile. “I can barely recognize my brother.”
I frowned, looking at him again. “Really? Maybe it’s just that everyone always underestimated him.”
Both twins laughed at that, making me squirm.
