Marked (The Coldest Fae Book 3) by Katerina Martinez (novel24 .txt) 📗

“You staying, too?”

“No, I’m coming with. If you’re going back into the selection, you’re gonna need me with you… could you give us a second, though?”

I looked at her, then at Mel, then smiled. “Take your time. We’ll be outside.”

No sooner had I stepped out of the tent that I caught Toross standing in front of Mira, with one hand rested on her cheek, and his thumb on her chin. I watched them both gaze at each other, then press their foreheads together.

Instantly, I realized, any weirdness I felt about it was gone, replaced entirely by a kind of bittersweet warmth. I wanted this to happen. I wanted them to happen. But this whole thing felt like a last goodbye before a war. Come to think of it… I turned around slightly and glanced at the opening of the tent I’d just emerged from. The flap was pulled, but I could still see Gullie and Mel on the other side of it, also holding each other in the exact same way Toross and Mira were.

More tears threatened to spill out of me as my heart soared. Today had started off in a shit way, but this? This had turned it around.

I decided to move away from the tent and get a little closer to Mira and Toross, who broke apart as I approached. “I will see you on the other side,” Toross said.

I hugged him. “You had better be there,” I said, “Otherwise you’re going to miss all the fun.”

“I don’t plan on missing it. Just take care of yourself.”

“Trust me, she’s in good hands,” Mira said. “I also have a few more things to teach her which will give her more of an edge.”

“More of an edge?” I asked.

“You didn’t think we were done training, did you? You have incredible power, but you’re still horribly undisciplined. No offense to your current teacher.”

He cocked an eyebrow. “None taken.”

“Anyway, we should get going.”

“Very well. I will see you both soon.”

Toross offered a slight bow, then left Mira and I alone in the shadow of the great white elk that was going to take us back to the castle. There was a silent moment where neither of us spoke, then we both opened our mouths to speak at the same time.

“You first,” she said. “I insist.”

I looked over at my uncle, who was still walking away. “So… this is a real thing then, huh?”

“Somewhat,” she said, eyeing me suspiciously. “Why? Do you still take issue with it?”

I shook my head. “No. Not at all. I’m actually really happy for you.”

“Good,” she paused, “And Gullie and Mel?”

“Yes! How did I not notice that, and why haven’t we talked about it yet?”

“Some people are more private than others.”

“Think she’ll bring it up?”

“I’m not sure, though we have a two-day trip ahead of us, so there will be plenty of time to talk along the way… and if my nose is right, we have a few things to talk about.”

My eyes narrowed. “Your… nose?”

“Don’t tell me you don’t smell the change, too?”

“I… no. I don’t think I do.”

She gave me a simple “Hmmm,” which I took to mean she hadn’t bought a word I had said. I supposed I had that coming. Mira was incredibly perceptive because she had been trained to be. The truth was, I had sensed a change in me. It was impossible to miss, even if it was easy to ignore. But I wasn’t going to admit to it. Not to her, and not to myself.

Not until there was something to say.

Gullie joined us after a moment, and I found myself double-taking. With her butterfly wings and shocking green hair, she was an absolute outsider to this otherwise white and brown place, sticking out like a green thumb. But she was also Gullie, my best friend, the pixie I who had fallen through my window all that time ago.

Seeing her walking around like that was going to take some getting used to.

“I’m good to go,” she said, taking a deep breath.

“Are you sure?” I asked, “You could stay, you know…”

“And let you get yourself killed? This thing started with the three of us. It’s going to end with the three of us.”

I smiled at her. “Thanks, Gull. I don’t think the shock of seeing you like this is ever going to wear off.”

“You think you have it bad? Try being me. I’m still not used to walking everywhere.”

“Have you tried flying yet?”

She looked across her shoulders and made her wings wiggle. They were large, pearlescent, and beautiful, but they looked like they were made of paper. I didn’t think that mattered, though. “I don’t dare to. Not yet.”

“Alright, then we’re walking up the hill. You ready for this?”

“I’m ready to finish this,” she said. “Are you?”

“I’m ready.”

Ready to win the selection.

Ready to beat the Veridian.

Ready to get my mate back.

Do or die.

… to be continued.

***

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