Magi's Path (Aether's Revival Book 3) by Daniel Schinhofen (best black authors .TXT) 📗

Yukiko snorted. “I no longer care what any of them think. I will have more love to keep me insulated from the hatred.”

“There’s a temple in town,” Jenn said slowly. “Dia went and offered a prayer to Aether the other day.”

“Today?” Gregory asked, seeing her thoughts.

“I know it’s forward,” Jenn said, her cheeks heating more, “but… if that’s okay?”

“We’ll need to tell Dia, too,” Yukiko said. “Things will need to be adjusted when we get back to the academy.”

“We have to get up, first,” Gregory said.

Jenn slipped out of bed and went to get dressed. Her back was to them as she did, and Yukiko let out a soft sound before pressing against Gregory. He inhaled slowly as she teased him.

“Yes, we need to get up,” Yukiko said before she got out of bed.

Gregory exhaled deeply, closing his eyes. “Yeah. Do need to.”

“She’s already seen you, dear one,” Yukiko went on. “I apologize for that small tease; it was mean of me.”

“Well, I did poke you first,” Gregory said, “involuntary as it was.”

“It happened when someone got out of bed,” Yukiko added with a grin at her friend, “as if he really enjoyed the sight of something.”

Jenn shook her head. “You’re terrible, Yuki.”

“I grew up around guards. Even with them trying their best, I did pick up some things I probably shouldn’t have. Besides, I know that the idea that he wants you makes you happy.”

Jenn’s face was flushed. She looked back at Gregory, who had just gotten out of bed, and her eyes drifted briefly below his waist. “Well, yes, I will admit that.”

Gregory’s face reddened again and he coughed. “I find both of you attractive. I thought it was obvious by now.”

“Yes, but she could always lie to herself that it was just me and not her,” Yukiko told him.

“I started to accept that he found me attractive after the time we all stood in the tub,” Jenn said. “Your kiss helped me accept that you find me attractive too, Yuki, which honestly, I worried about a little more.”

“That took a lot of courage on my part,” Yukiko admitted. “I wasn’t sure you’d be okay with it.”

“She worried about it,” Gregory said. “She was afraid that she’d gone too far for you and me.”

“You didn’t mind?” Jenn asked Gregory as she finished putting her obi on.

“Oh, he didn’t mind,” Yukiko answered before he could with a giggle. “He was in a state similar to this morning.”

Gregory coughed. “She isn’t wrong. It shocked me that she did it, but it was… exciting, as well.”

Dressed, Jenn went to Yukiko’s side and helped her finish getting her obi on. “That’s good to know. Thank you for telling me.”

“This relationship is going to be a little awkward, but we’ll make it work,” Gregory said.

“We will,” Yukiko agreed.

“That is my wish,” Jenn smiled.

~*~*~

Making it downstairs, they found Dia at the window table, already eating. “Morning, Apprentices. How do you feel?”

“Better, Dia,” Gregory said. “We’re sorry for worrying you.”

“Dia, would it be okay if we went out for a while?” Yukiko asked.

“Where to?” Dia asked.

“Aether’s temple,” Jenn said.

“Hmm... To thank him for you all being safe, or did Gregory agree?”

Gregory’s mouth opened and he looked at the other two.

Yukiko gave him an apologetic smile. “We let her know that it might happen.”

“I’ll take that as a yes, then,” Dia smiled. “I will have to make arrangements for our return to the academy. We should be moving you three into an adept suite, at the very least.”

“Thank you, Dia,” Yukiko replied. “We also wanted to do some shopping for the children assisting your sister.”

“That is acceptable,” Dia nodded.

“Thank you, Dia,” they said together.

“Now, are you all going to be sharing a room here?” Dia asked.

They exchanged a glance, unsure of what the others would want. Yukiko was the one to speak first, “We’d like to.”

“Very well,” Dia said. “The temple isn’t open until sunrise, and the shops open after that. So until then, enjoy your breakfast.” She rose to her feet. “I need to go train. I will see you later today.”

A few seconds after she had left, the old man brought them their food. “Here you go, magi. I was surprised when you weren’t down at your usual time.”

“Sometimes, the unexpected happens,” Gregory said. “Thank you.”

“Enjoy.”

They ate in silence, each thinking about what would happen once the sun rose.

~*~*~

When the sun broke the horizon, Gregory exhaled. “It’s time.”

Jenn looked equal parts excited and terrified. “Yes, it is.”

“Let’s go,” Yukiko said, the first one to her feet.

The other two rose and, together, they left the inn behind. It was a minute later when Gregory slowed and started to chuckle. Yukiko and Jenn stopped and looked at him, confused.

“Do either of you know where the temple is?” Gregory asked.

Both women giggled and shook their heads.

“Exactly,” Gregory laughed, then singled out one of the few people moving about. “Excuse me, sir? Which way is Aether’s temple?”

The man looked their way before stopping. “Magi. The temple is two squares east, and three north.” He pointed in each direction as he said them.

“Thank you,” Gregory said with a smile.

“You’re welcome, magi.”

“May Aether smile upon you,” Yukiko added, a hint of laughter in her tone.

“You, as well,” the man replied before heading off.

Gregory rolled his eyes at Yukiko as she snickered. “That was horrible, Yuki.”

“I find it amusing,” Jenn said. “Knowing what I do now, it makes it a little funny.”

Gregory just shook his head and started walking again. The other two flanked him, still snickering as they did.

~*~*~

The temple was where the man had said it would be. Gregory slowed as they