The Lost Knight (Volume II) The Lost Girl

Chapter 39: You've Got to be Kidding

Today I'm particularly thankful that Albína takes such good care of me. I'm so hungry my stomach hurts, but as soon as I enter my room, dinner is waiting for me.

"Let me look at you," she says when she sees the new armor. I do the spin for her, and she claps her hands excitedly. "You're so Knightly!"

I thank her and head to the table. She sits across from me, stroking my armor and asking questions. I answer through mouthfuls of food. I don't stop eating until my stomach makes me.

"I flew with Lenox!" I announce as soon as I can give the story my full attention. I recount every detail about the armor, the fighting, the flying, and what Master Sarpedon said to me.

I stop when I see tears form in her eyes. "What?" I ask. I don't know what I said that made her sad.

She dabs at her eyes with a napkin and gives me a shaky smile. "I always believed you were capable of this. I just often wondered if you would ever believe it."

She stands and walks to my side of the table. She wraps her arms around my shoulders and kisses the top of my head. She's never done anything like that before. Of course, she only could because I'm sitting.

"I'm so proud of you," she whispers to my hair.

I don't know what emotions are bubbling in my gut, but I want them to stop. My body agrees because it locks up like a statue until she lets me go with a chuckle. I don't know what she finds so amusing.

"Okay, enough mushy stuff," she says with a pat on my shoulder. "Do you need help getting out of all that?"

"No, I want Jonah to see me in it." I stand in order to put some distance between us. I think I liked the hug, but I don't want her to do it again.

She leaves with instructions to call her when I'm ready and goes back to her room. I pick up the pareixer and call Jonah, but he doesn't answer. He's been busy a lot lately.

I ignore the sadness in my chest and knock on Albína's door. She insists that I take a bath and get ready for bed. As soon as I hit the water, my excitement leaves and is replaced by bone-weary tiredness. I end my bath early and stumble to my bed. I fall asleep as soon as Lenox's nose hits my shin.

I wake up to sometime in the night. Lenox is sleeping, and the Latuus birds haven't emerged. There's an eerie blue light illuminating the room. I'm curious to know what the elves are doing that would cause such a strange effect.

Lenox opens one sleepy eye when I carefully slide my leg out from under his nose. "Stay asleep, buddy. I'll just find out what's going on." Lenox closes his eye again. Now I really feel safe. If there were any danger at all, Lenox would be roaming around with me.

I walk to the window and blind myself when I peek through the drapes. Everything outside is bright and sunny as usual. Lenox lets out a groan of disapproval at the inpouring of sunshine. I close the drapes again and blind myself for the second time when the room is suddenly dark.

Once my eyes adjust, the blue light is back. "Do you see that?" I ask Lenox. He doesn't even open his eyes this time. Whatever this is, he's not concerned about it.

The source has to be in my room. I'm not comfortable going back to bed without knowing what's causing it. It's coming from my closet. I walk over but get a little frightened to open the door. I look back at Lenox and put my hand on the knob. If anything happens, he'll have my back.

"You're being ridiculous. It's only a light," I whisper. I throw the door open, ready to attack.

There on the dresser, the Orb is glowing.

Author's note: I would love some thoughts on the plot, pacing, Agatha, Dathid, Jonah, and Lenox. I could really use some guidance and critique. Thanks