making friends

As they prepared for another grueling round of sword training, Sylvester glanced over at Ingrid and Onyx again.

A strange pair. Ingrid tall and blonde, almost like a angel from the legends of old. Onyx petite with hair as dark as her namesake.

But they were always together.

“Careful, I might think you have a crush on my sister,” Cole warned.

“No fear of that,” Sylvester promised. His gaze lingered on Ingrid a moment longer, then he grabbed his sword. Girls were icky, and that surely explained the weird lump in his chest. Or he was afraid of her yelling at him. Again.

Grabbing his sword, he hurried after Cole.

 

At the end of the fortnight, the swordsman arrived.

So did Sylvester and Ashford.

Cole wasn’t surprised.

But he was happy to spend the summer with his two best friends.

He didn’t care the reason why.

 

Onyx barged into Cole’s room, breathless and grinning.

“You get the last of the strawberry pie?”

“Better! Papa has convinced one of the finest swordsmen in all Mounthaven to come stay here this summer. And he’s going to give us lessons!”

Cole put down his book. “That is better than pie.”

 

Cole never heard his parents argue, so their raised voices lured him beneath the open window.

 

Lady Aldarius joined him outside as the moon rose and the night breeze ruffled their hair.

“Cole says you are thinking about leaving your duty behind and becoming a mercenary. Is that really what you want?”

Here, in the sanctuary of her gardens, he knew she would sense any untruths. “No. I want to help the people of Gaspard. It’s my duty, but it’s also what I want. I just…I’m not good enough to do it.”

“That’s your father’s wife talking.” Her eyes unfocused a moment. “I see a lot of your father before he married that woman in you. There is a reason why he hides in the capital. You will be a great duke, but only if you listen to your heart.”

“I…I really want to come here and study with Cole.”

“Then you shall have it.”