Tainted

Chapter Twenty-Nine

I wake with a smile on my face.

"There's breakfast."

"Great Goddess Gaia," I say, jumping at the sound of Sailor's voice. My left arm bangs against my chest and a hot pain sears across it, making my eyes water. I cradle my arm and bite down hard on my lip.

"Mira I am so sorry," Sailor says. He kneels beside me, worry in his soft blue eyes. "Can I do anythin'?"

"No, no," I say, gasping for breath. My heart's leaping against my chest. "You just...startled me."

"I'm sorry. I wake up early an' I though' yae migh' like breakfas' before trainin'," Bo says. He still looks incredibly worried, and I struggle to reign in my breathing so it sounds like something normal.

"Thank you," I puff. I take a quick look around. Rogue's things are still untouched, he must still be gone. James is lying on his bed, a thin line of drool trailing down from his lips as he eyes the food by my bed. It sits on a small brass tray with a thick clay mug full of steaming coffee, and a large breaded bun topped with a berry compote next to it.

Sailor beams. He sits back on his heels. "Th' coffee's good today. I's from Vasilias."

I pause, the mug halfway to my lips. "This coffee is from the capital?"

Sailor nods.

"How did you get it?" I take a sip of it. It is, indeed, good. It has a full-bodied flavor, unlike the weak, watered down coffee we were given in the prison.

"The Scout went tae market an' got it. We haven' wanted tae drink i' until we finished th' last."

I set the mug down and pick up the bun. I try not to look at James's sorrowful eyes as I eat it.

"So...did yae have a nice nigh'?" Sailor asks.

I chew the bun and swallow. It's packed with flavor, from the bun to the icing to the berries. "Yes," I say, sugar still on my tongue. "I really did."

"Well everyone liked yae!" Sailor says.

I can't help but smile. A warmth spreads through my limbs. I feel stronger in a way that's not physical, and I let my shoulders relax, the tension bleeding out.

"I should probably head to Tanymede's," I say, finishing the last of the coffee.

"Can I walk wi' yae? Th' 'orses are in th' same direction," Sailor says.

"Of course, I'd like the company."

I had intended to change before seeing Tanymede, but the tunic and pants I wore as pajamas should work fine for training. They're loose and airy enough, so I should still be able to breathe in the material. I stand, my muscles feeling spry and ready.

Sailor holds out the knife belt to me. I hesitate before taking it. I was someone else when I worse it, and I've started to feel like I could be someone different. If I put on this knife belt, will I fall into those same patterns again? Will I just be the Thief? I finger the leather, thinking. Only one way to find out. I wrap the knife belt around my waist. A calmness settles over me as I cinch the silver buckle tight.

"Ready," I say.

Sailor nods. "Yae look it." He holds the tent flap open for me, and I walk through it.

Outside, it's blisteringly hot. If I were to stop and listen, I'm fairly certain I would hear a drop of water sizzle against the sand. We must be nearing the height of Sun Season.

"Why didn't Rogue pick someplace else," I grumble under my breath.

Sailor snorts beside me. "Because everyone else thinks th' same," he says. "So we're easier tae hide."