Dawn of a Queen

Chapter 10: The Second Trial

~Aeryn P.O.V~

I was sitting at the counter in the kitchen eating some eggs and bacon as my mind drifted to the second Trial. This was a trial of awareness, where I would be blindfolded and have to rely on my other senses. I was slightly concerned about how I would perform. Even after having one day to rest after the first trial, my muscles still ached slightly. I had never put my body through anything like that in my life, and I was just thankful it was over.

My chain of thought was broken as Selene and Sebastian entered the kitchen. Both of them were silent as they prepared their food, however, it seemed like they were having a conversation without talking. They were making weird gestures and constantly glaring at one another. That's when I realized they were mind-linking.

Neither of them paid attention to me, but I was very amused at their antics and trying my hardest to stifle a laugh. Sebastian managed to shove my friend out of the way in order to grab the last egg from the carton. Selene gave him an 'are you gonna give me that' look to which he responded by staring straight into her eyes and cracking it into his pan. That was the last straw for her. She casually walked over to him and stomped on his foot as hard as she could.

"OUCH!" he yelled.

She grunted in satisfaction before turning around to find something else to eat. Sebastian grabbed his foot momentarily before glaring daggers into the back of her head and growling lowly.

That's when I lost it. I started laughing so hard, I nearly fell off my stool. They both looked at me, shocked that I had seen the entire scene unfold. They were so focused on their own conversation that they hadn't even noticed my presence.

"A-Aeryn. I didn't know you were down here." said Selene, trying to hide her embarrassment.

When I thought I had gained control over my laugher, I saw Sebastian turn off the stove and hop on his non-injured foot over to the counter. I had to cover my mouth with my hands to keep from spewing the bacon out of my mouth.

"Oh man, you guys are horrible at trying to hide the fact that you're mates." I stated as I finally stopped laughing.

Selene dropped a knife on the counter and Sebastian started to choke on his omelet.

"You knew?" he said between coughs.

"Pretty much since the beginning." I said while grinning.

"We're more than just mates." Selene muttered under her breath as she spread butter on her toast.

I looked over at Sebastian, not understanding what she meant.

"We're married." He said with his mouth full, pointing his fork at my friend.

"What?!? Selene, why didn't you tell me?"

She shrugged.

"Between his work and my duties, we never got to see each other much, although he did visit on occasion."

I could tell there was some underlying message to her words, but I knew that neither of them would tell me.

"It wasn't ideal, but it was working until you decided to have your 'little adventure'" he said while making air quotes.

She gave him a look and I realized that's what they must have been arguing about. I decided to drop the subject since the tension in the room was rising to an uncomfortable level.

"So, where did Zira go?" I asked.

"I'm not sure. She left early this morning and I haven't heard from her. I'm assuming she will meet us at the next trial." Said Sebastian.