Page 14 of Interion

At that moment, the enormous white chimera jumped on me—her typical greeting—making me stagger back a little. When she rose on her two hind legs, she was my height. I used the moment to catch my breath while hugging the furry creature's neck and stroking her thick fur. Kiara watched me with bright blue eyes and plopped her chubby butt on my feet, then looked between us with an amused air.

I turned to Zion and, this time, took him in completely. His crossed arms showed off the muscles outlined by his black and green army uniform. The bag strap crossed his broad chest, and black gloves covered his hands.

“It didn't occur to me to knock on the door of my own house.” The general slipped the bag off his back and set it on the kitchen chair.

Just as I'd been doing shamelessly seconds before, his gaze traveled over my body, making my cheeks burn and my stomach clench. I wasn't prepared to be looked at like that, not in short, see-through pajamas.

“That's a fair point, but…” I pushed aside my self-consciousness about my lack of clothing and laced my fingers together so they wouldn't tremble. I cleared my mind, reminding myself that I shouldn't be on the defensive—he was the one who'd disappeared for five years and, by some miracle, only remembered he had a house today. “Couldn't you have let me know you were coming home? I… waited for you when I found out you were back at the walls.”

Actually, I'd waited for much more than that, but I decided not to mention it.

“I didn't ask you to wait for me,” he replied, arching an eyebrow.

Nervous about where the conversation was heading, I crossed my arms over my chest and stared at him seriously.

“But you also didn't tell me not to wait. Actually, you didn't say anything.” I felt vulnerable exposing my hurt, but at the same time, it felt good to finally say what I'd been wanting to. “I waited out of courtesy, but I guess you don't understand that, since I found out about your return from other people.”

The general's eyes gleamed, showing more than just defiance. There was something else in that look, an indefinable brightness hidden beneath layers of curiosity. Finally, a half-smile appeared on his lips. I wondered why he was smiling, since I was being aggressive. Zion removed his black gloves and grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl on the table, then returned to his spot and leaned against the doorframe once more. He seemed to be sizing me up, but he didn't say another word. So I turned around and continued making the omelet in silence, trying to control the irritation bubbling under my skin.

“I heard you went to medical school and are now in your final year as a resident at the hospital.” I glanced sideways at him and saw he was still watching me, the apple half-eaten. “Are you enjoying it?”

I frowned, confused.

“Enjoying it?” The question caught me off guard. I didn’t expect him to be so direct. After all, what kind of person treats you like crap and then acts normal, asking personal questions? “Yes. I’m enjoying the program. I’m good at helping others, and my gift has been showing promise.”

The chimera leaned against the kitchen counter and stared at the tray of eggs. I stroked her head and fed her a raw egg, which disappeared in seconds.

“And how’s the military academy going?” And there it was—the question that would bring me trouble.

“You should know how the military academy is going—you’re the general,” I replied before shifting my gaze to the eggs.

“And as general, I want to hear it from you. I only know about your situation through third parties.”

There was a faint trace of humor in his voice, something acidic that gave his words an ironic edge. I looked up and stared at him, brow furrowed. Should I be worried that he was interested in this? All I could think about was screaming that Zion only knew things through third parties because he’d never cared enough to talk to me himself.

“I’m still trying to catch up to the other students. Tomorrow is the first day of the last semester.”

He stared at me, and something smug gleamed in his gaze.

“Trying… And what are you doing to improve?”

I flinched at his tone, harder and more rigid this time. Still, I couldn’t hold back my bitter tongue.

“I’m going to classes.”

“What else? Because in my time, that was never enough.” He finished the apple and handed the remains to the starving chimera rubbing against his hip.

“What for? I don’t want a military career. I want to be a head elmedic and dedicate myself to saving lives here at the hospital.”

“And in the military, what do you think we do? Dance ballet and bake cakes? Do I need to remind you how we met?” The shadows moved over Zion’s skin, and his irises grew darker. I could feel his anger through the power emanating from him, filling the kitchen, and it inflamed my own temper.

“I don’t know exactly what you do, Shadow Lord, but I’m pretty sure running away from your partner is the main part of the job.”

He glared at me.

“No one’s demanding you pursue a military career.” His voice was firm and controlled. “But I demand that you know how to defend yourself well, so you don’t have to depend on other people and can follow whatever path you want. That won’t happen if you can’t at least be better than your classmates.”

“You mean ‘so I don’t have to protect you.’ Is that it?” I asked, trying to control the anger in my voice. “Because the last time I checked, I was still alone and managing just fine that way.”