BeastKeeper

Chapter 6

The sun hung higher in the sky now, its warmth a reminder that the early spring days were stretching towards summer. The once cool breeze had softened into a gentle, balmy caress that rustled the leaves of the towering oaks along the riverbank. The forest, which had once been stark and bare, was now bursting with new life-vibrant greens that dappled the light filtering through the canopy, casting playful shadows on the ground.

Aria dipped her toes into the river's edge, the water no longer icy but cool and refreshing against her skin. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming wildflowers, mingling with the earthy aroma of the damp soil beneath her feet. The sounds of the training grounds, the clashing of swords, and the shouts of trainees, felt miles away, muffled by the dense foliage that bordered the estate.

The days had begun to blend together, each one marked by the rhythm of drills and lessons, yet softened by moments like this-moments where time seemed to slow, allowing her to breathe, to think.

Aria leaned back on her hands, the soft moss beneath her fingers cushioning her as she gazed out at the shimmering river. The gentle ripple of the water was soothing, a natural rhythm that matched the easy conversation she and Maeve had been sharing. Maeve sat beside her, legs crossed, idly twirling a strand of her chestnut hair around her finger. The warmth of the day had brought a soft flush to her cheeks, and her green eyes sparkled with the lightness that came with these rare moments of peace.

For a while, they sat in comfortable silence, the only sounds being the rustling of leaves and the distant hum of insects.

Aria hesitated for a moment, then drew a deep breath, the scent of the wildflowers filling her lungs. She fiddled with the hem of her tunic, glancing at Maeve with a mix of hesitation and amusement. The sunlight flickered through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the grass around them. "So, there's something I need to tell you... about Theo and Finn."

Maeve's eyes widened, her interest immediately piqued. "Oh, this sounds juicy. Spill!"

She bit her lip, her cheeks flushing a little as she tried to find the right words. "Okay, so you know how Finn and I were hanging out after we left your room a couple of weeks ago? Well, something happened... he almost kissed me."

Maeve's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, what? Finn almost kissed you? And you didn't tell me until now?"

She nodded, a little sheepishly. "I know, I know! It was after we left your room that night... it kind of caught me off guard, I've never really seen him as anything like that. We were talking, and then he just leaned in like he was going to kiss me, but then we got interrupted by Theo."

Her jaw dropped as she leaned closer, her eyes sparkling with intrigue. "Theo interrupted? Oh, this just keeps getting better. What did he say?"

Aria laughed, though there was a hint of nervousness in it. "Well, nothing really. He just kind of stood there, all broody and jealous, and then Finn stepped back like nothing happened. It was so awkward, Maeve. I didn't know what to do."

Maeve shook her head, grinning. "So what happened after that? I mean, Theo showing up right then? That's some serious timing."

"Yea we all just kind of said good night and went our separate ways"

Maeve raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "That's it? You all just said goodnight and walked away like nothing happened?"

She shrugged, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Pretty much. It was like this weird, unspoken agreement that we were just going to pretend it didn't happen. But then, when I got to my room, Theo was there. He was definitely jealous. And frustrated."

Maeve's eyes went wide again.

" We started talking, and it all just came out-how we felt, how we knew it couldn't continue. But then... well, we may or may not have had sex. It was kind of a last goodbye. But by the Gods was it amazing, so slow and tender and careful."