Page 155 of Journey to the Elderoak
He shook his head. “No. I haven’t met her,” he whispered.
Ava looked at him with curiosity, seemingly enamored with the general. Unable to take his eyes off Maeryn, he watched her lead her kingdom’s forces with unwavering focus.
“Are you alright?” she asked, startling him from his wonder.
His eyes darted to hers as he cleared his throat. “Fine. I’m good. I’m great.”
Raine was never at a loss for words. Ava narrowed her eyes at him before he turned away. The soldiers practiced their blocks and stances, moving in unison as if they were of one mind for two hours before they finished and went about the rest of their day.
Ava rose. “Let’s go say hi and I’ll introduce you.”
Raine shot to his feet. “What? Now? I—shit. Okay.”
“What is wrong with you?”
“Nothing,” he said, smoothing his hair and regaining his swagger as they approached.
Maeryn turned to them. In addition to the jewelry in her ears, she had a golden ring pierced through her full bottom lip. “Your Highness.” She dipped her chin.
“Hello, Maeryn. I’d like you to meet Raine, one of our captains,” Ava said.
Maeryn’s bright yellow eyes scrutinized him as she held her hand out to shake his. He took it in both of his own. “If I’d known Igneothenia’s general was so exquisite, I would have introduced myself sooner.”
Ava tried to suppress her smile at his attempt at flattery while Maeryn’s eyes bored into his, her face devoid of emotion.
“And if I had known the captain was such a suck up, I would have said don’t bother,” she replied, pulling away.
“I—oh. I’m sorry, I—” Raine stuttered.
“Don’t mind him,” Ava intervened. “He’s always like that. You must be busy. It was good to see you.”
“Good to see you too.” Maeryn gave Raine a small smirk. “And it wasinterestingto meet you, captain.”
“Yep,” Raine answered. Ava looped her arm through his and dragged him away before he could say anything else.
They walked into the castle, and she halted to face him. “What wasthatabout?”
He grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. “I don’t know. She…wow. She’s stunning.”
“I’ve never seen you stumble over your words when you’re hitting on someone.”
“Fuck. I know.” He glanced toward the door. “I should go apologize. I think I offended her.”
“I think she was amused. It’ll be fine. Though I don’t think your usual smooth-talking will work with her if you’re trying to get her to sleep with you.”
His gaze snapped to hers. “I’m not trying to bed her. No, not her. I—I just want to talk to her. I need to. I must get to know her.”
“I don’t understand what’s going on with you.”
“Me either.” He shrugged and laughed uncomfortably.
They resumed their pace, heading down the hall to dinner.
“Are you doing alright?” Raine asked, changing the subject. “You know, with Cas leaving in the morning?”
“No,” she replied. “I’m not.”
Their boots echoed in the corridor, occasionally interrupted by the sound of birds singing outside the open windows. First to arrive in the dining room, Ava took her usual spot to the right of Thorne’s chair.
