A LAND OF FIRE AND DARKNESS

Chapter 20

After training with Laveen for the usual time, I trained with Yarris. He had me focusing on how to keep the flame active in my palm again. I managed to keep it steady for about ten seconds before it would blow away in the wind.

Yarris would complement me none the less though, even if I failed. When we said goodnight, he also made sure to compliment my attitude and my eyes. He was completely pushing his luck with me, but I rather enjoyed the attention.

Once done with Yarris I grabbed a book titled, Volume 1 of Five of the history of the Elements. It was not light reading, but I found it helped to walk around while I flipped through the pages. If I ever wanted to be Highvarion and rule over Pretonas, I would need to know everything there was to know about the continent and the people.

I was not sure if I was truly considering ruling, but I wanted to be prepared either way.

I walked through the halls that opened up on the side to expose the brilliant sea view. My steps were light as if I were dancing down the halls.

I stopped at one spot and recognized it. It was where Delcallon had led me off to when I began to panic when I first found out that Lewis was an Elemental. He had calmed me down and then continued to try and build an alliance with me.

We had also fought like we still did to this day, and I had seen his darker side, Literally. It had not frightened me though if anything it had aroused me, that was due to the Lipsin oils Eskar had given me.

"Alinta." I turned my head and saw Tristan walking towards me. He wore a loose white shirt with brown leather pants. He dressed modestly compared to most others in the palace, but with his deep blue eyes and black hair, it suited him.

"Tristan." I greeted with a soft smile as I pulled the book towards me.

He put his hands up in defeat as he stepped closer to me, "You are not going to beat me up today?" He joked as he stopped a foot away from me.

I narrowed my eyes at him and shot him a wicked smile, "It is still early."

He smiled before slipping his hands into his back pockets. He dipped his head down and looked at me through lowered lashes. His face morphed into a more serious expression.

"I wanted to apologize." He stated with a gentle tone.

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion, "For what?" I asked as I lifted my chin.

He shifted his body awkwardly, "I knew what type of person Eskar was." He pursed his lips, "I should have warned you."

I looked into Tristan's eyes and saw the genuine remorse that filled his veins.

I sighed out and bobbed my head, "I doubt I would have listened, even if you did warn me."

I was completely enthralled by Eskar when I met Tristan. I believed every word and lie that slipped out of Eskar's mouth, and I would not have believed he was capable of anything cruel.

"I am still sorry." He stated again as his lips tightened out.

He took a small step forward causing my eyes to dart to his boots. "I do not know what he did to you." He said as he stood inches from me. "But your reaction when you thought I was working for him made it clear, it was really bad."

I looked back up to his face as my heart began to race at how close he was to me. "I am fine," I reassured him as I took in a deep breath.

He smiled. "I can see that." He traced his eyes over my face.

I shook my head as I felt my cheeks flush red, I looked down to try and hide it and pretended to be examining my book. "I am glad you are not working for him." I stated as I tried to control the blush, "It would have been a pity to kill you."

He chuckled out causing my heart to twitch at the sound.

Yarris openly flirted with me, but Tristan had a more gentle and subtle approach that I was finding rather adorable.

He began to rub the back of his neck and bit his lower up, "So." He began nervously causing my eyes to look up at him, "Were you two actually Intwined?" He asked as his eyes fell towards me.

My lips curved up, "No."

His chest physically bobbed as he released a breath of relief, "Good." He sighed out before widening his eyes, "I mean it is good you are not Intwined to him." He said trying to fix his words.

I smiled as I looked at the Elemental stumble over his words. "Aha." I moaned out with a chirpy tone.

He shook his head in embarrassment as his cheek turned pink, "I should go before I make a fool of myself further and do something outrageous." He shrugged before stepping back from me.

I nodded my head slowly as he began to walk past me.

"I will hopefully see you around." He said with a faint smile as he strode down the hall.

I watched as he disappeared behind the corner and out of sight. I huffed to myself before continuing my path back through the halls.