𝑩𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒅

chapter sixteen

Emriana

"Emriana, are you okay?" I jumped at the hand on my shoulder and turned my head to see Jareth watching me with concern.

"Of course, why?" I answered, and he pulled his lips into a tight line before shrugging.

"You're not talking much today," he pointed out before grabbing a fresh set of paintbrushes. I nodded at his words, not really feeling like explaining why I was so tired.

I walked back to Dana, who was painting quietly. She, too, had been awfully quiet ever since last night. It was easy to see she was preoccupied with Mav, and I didn't know what to say to make her feel better. I'd never had a sibling, I didn't know what it was like to have one sick.

I lowered myself onto the short stool, tucking my knees under my dress as I mixed a little dash of yellow with blue to make some grassy green color. I glanced at Dana, and she sent me a tight lip smile in response.

"Seems like you didn't get much sleep either?" She said while her gaze remained on her paintbrush. I gave her a small smile.

"Yeah, it was one of those nights, you know," I said, even though nothing about last night was normal. I hadn't told Dana about Zeke and Drakkar for some reason. I felt embarrassed about how I'd let them walk all over me and be mean to me.

My new plan of action was to avoid them at all costs for the rest of my time at the castle, which was easier said than done when I didn't know what they did exactly at the castle. From how they were dressed, I would guess they were maybe advisers to the royal family.

"Are you still on for going to the courier's office later?" I asked, and she nodded absently.

I flinched at the sudden hand on my shoulder and turned around to see Kove grinning at me.

"Hey, Emri,"

"Hey, Kove. What are you doing here?" I asked, noticing the curious glance I got from my team. He shrugged.

"I had a little break between shifts and thought I would come to say hi," he said, kneeling next to me.

"That's very nice of you,"

He smiled, a slight blush covering his cheeks as he scratched the back of his neck with a nervous chuckle.

"So...um...I actually wanted to know if you were..um...doing something tonight because it's supposedly a...a full moon," he mumbled, and I smiled.

"Oh really?" He nodded.

"I really wish I could, but I actually have plans later with Dana. Do you think we could go another time?" I asked, and he frowned.

"Well, it's not really like there's a full moon every day!" He pointed out in a knowing voice, sounding annoyed.

"Oh, okay," I replied, trying to think of something.

"What about tomorrow night? Are you free then?" I asked.

"I'll see, but maybe it could work, but it won't be the same," he said with a huff, rising to his feet.

"Why not? It won't be the full moon, but it will close, no?"

He sighed.

"Fine," he spat, before shuffling out of the room. I sent Dana a puzzled look, and she let out a small chuckle, shaking her head.

"Girl, you got your head in the sand, I swear," she said, and I smiled at the expression.

"What do you mean?"

"It's obvious he wanted to have a date with you under the moonlight,"

"Kove? No. He doesn't see me like that," she raised a brow.