A Court of Stars and Memories

34. Reasons for Protection

    Mitsi joined Eira in Windhaven as usual the next morning. Despite herself, she was constantly scanning the training grounds for any sign of Lysander. She wasn't sure why. If he were here, he'd likely be busy with lessons and she wouldn't bother talking to him, but still, she found herself hoping to see him.

    Mitsi pried her gaze from yet another training ring as she followed Eira back to their usual spot. Stop it, she scolded herself. I'll see him this afternoon and even if he's here, I shouldn't bother him. Especially not about what happened yesterday.

    Was it even worth bringing up again? They'd only danced together. It didn't mean anything. It was simply something fun and... A warm flutter spread through her stomach as she recalled how he'd smoothed her hair back from her cheek. Mitsi blinked the memory away seconds later, hoping her blush hadn't become evident.

    Eira didn't appear to be watching her when Mitsi glanced over. Her friend's gaze was fixed on the training ring ahead, where two Illyrians were wrestling together. Mitsi grinned as she recognized Orion.

    He twisted upright and pinned Theron in a headlock, then perked up, catching sight of them. He released his brother and ruffled his hair before standing. Theron frowned and smoothed his dark locks again.

    Mitsi lingered behind when Eira quickened her pace. Orion swung out of the training ring and joined her, a bright grin on his lips. "Why did you stop answering me the other day, you bastard?" Eira huffed, giving him a light shove. "I was beginning to think you'd gotten in trouble or something."

    "I did," Orion retorted, catching her wrists when she went to shove him again. "Calden and Lysander caught me talking to you and said I had to tell you I was busy."

    "You could've pretended to instead of actually ignoring me, Prick."

    "I wasn't ignoring you," Orion chuckled. "I listened to every word you yelled at me. I just didn't reply."

    "That's the same thing as ignoring me!"

    Mitsi smiled to herself as the exchange progressed. Eira was practically seething when Orion caught one of her flaming curls and gave it a quick tug. "So you admit you missed me then?" He teased.

    "No!"

    "She did too!" Theron shouted behind them. "She missed you!"

    Orion's smirk grew and he cocked his head mischievously. "See? I said you would, didn't I?"

    "You're the one who kept asking to talk to me only a day after you left," Eira scoffed.

    "You couldn't stop trying to get me to respond when I had to quit talking to you."

    "What are they arguing about?" A low voice asked beside her. Mitsi barely glanced at her brother. Micah crossed his arms, a look of confusion resting upon his features. "Devlon asked me to find out."

    "They're not really arguing," she answered quietly. "Just teasing." Mitsi backed away several paces and Micah followed her.

    "They seem a little angry to just be teasing each other," he remarked.

    "Annoyed perhaps, but not angry. Orion just wants Eira to admit that she missed him and I think she wants an apology because he stopped talking to her for a few days while he was in the Dawn Court."

    Micah knit his brows, shaking his dark head. "Maybe they should just say that instead of teasing."

    Mitsi smiled. "They have more fun teasing each other."