𝑩𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒅

chapter twenty

Emriana

"Emriana! Wake up! Wake up!" Dana shouted into my ear, and I groaned, opening my eyes.

"Why are you yelling?" I asked, my voice slightly raspier than usual as I closed one eye from the sunlight. I ran a hand over my face, smoothing out my hair as I pulled myself up to a sitting position

"My brother! I got a letter!" Dana squealed, and suddenly sleep was long forgotten as I jumped out of bed, watching her flung around a letter.

"What did he say?"

"I don't know, it just arrived," she said as she ripped open the envelope and unfolded the paper, her eyes moving over the words in frenzy. I waited for any sign of sorrow from her part, but her smile only got bigger.

"So?" I asked as she hugged the letter to her chest and began to dance with it.

"He's fine," the words seemed to carry such a weight off her shoulders. I smiled.

"That's great!" I said, hugging her in delight.

"What else did he say?"

"Um...let me see," she read over the letter once more.

"He said he would like me to go visit him in two weeks," She sighed in relief as she jumped around the room.

"Did he say why he didn't write sooner?"

"No, but I'm sure he just forgot. Men, right?" She said, and I nodded. Yeah, men right?

"I don't think I'll be able to do any work today!" She squealed as she let herself fall back on her bed with a sigh.

"Dana, I'm really happy for you," I smiled at her, before walking over my closet. I didn't know what I was planning to do today since Roza had given me the day off. One thing was sure is that I would be avoiding the gardens.

Dana began to get ready as well, and within half an hour, both of us were exiting the room, heading toward the dining hall. Akira was growling the entire time, still hungry from his small meal last night. That would be the first thing on my list today.

We turned into the hallway where the dining hall was, and my smile grew as I spotted Kove by the door. I knew he was on duty so I tried to be subtle as I sent him a little wave, and I saw the corner of his mouth lift.

Dana smiled as we slipped inside the room. The loud chatter of the different workers along with the cutleries clicking against the plates made the room lively. The smell of food caught my nose, and I smiled as I spotted the table where Nicor and Ilyon were discussing.

I followed Dana toward two empty seats, noticing how the chatter diminished as Akira entered after me. The loud voices were replaced by whispers with a few thrown glances at me.

I lowered myself across from Dana and glanced down at the food. In less than a few second a snout appeared over my shoulder as Akira glanced down at my food. I offered him a little piece of chicken which he took happily before I started digging into my own food.

"So, tell me. How was the date with M. Kove last night?" Dana wiggled her eyebrows, and I laughed.

"It was fun, we went to this little restaurant he had brought me a few days ago," I explained, and she frowned.

"That's it? He didn't do anything else?"

I raised a brow, amused. "What exactly were you expecting him to do?"

"I don't know. I guess I was still rooting for him, but I think I'm pulling out my vote now. He's disappointing," she said, and I shushed her.

"Don't say that about him. He's my friend," she rolled her eyes.