From the Ashes

CHAPTER SIX

It doesn't make sense. The name doesn't process, like it's forbidden. For a time, it was. They discouraged us from speaking about him. It was better to forget him and the strange events that surrounded him.

The crowd keeps cheering like they don't know or don't care.

Dragon- Altair takes his place in line next to me.

I can't breathe.

I can't think.

My body feels numb.

He keeps his head down and doesn't look at me. "Are you alright?" His voice is low and quiet.

As if nothing's wrong.

As if I shouldn't be surprised.

"I present to you, the representatives of Virana!" Master Zoma shouts.

"Jaina?" He asks softly.

I can feel his eyes on me, but I don't dare look at him. My head is spinning. The cheering crowd is merely an echo in the distance.

"Why didn't you tell me?" My voice comes out flat, almost cold.

"Meet me where Master Zoma had us duel for the first time."

"I can't. I've got a lot to do before we leave."

"Jaina," he says sternly.

I look up at him and for an instant, I see that little boy I knew a long time ago.

"Please."

As his eyes peer into my own, I know no matter what I feel, I can't say no to him. I take a strained breath. "Alright. But I can't stay long."

I don't know why it changes anything. He's treated me like a complete stranger since he came back, there's no reason to suddenly forget about that. It's been ten years. We've both grown up, we've changed.

And yet...

He should've told me.

At least hinted at it. Said something. Damn the rules, he never cared about them as a child, why should he care now?

Maybe he didn't remember.

I almost laugh aloud. Of course he remembered. The way he looked at me was proof enough. The fact that he wants me to meet him now is proof he knows he has some explaining to do.

Master Zoma dismisses the crowd. She says we have the rest of the day off to gather our things, and we are to meet her at the island caves tomorrow at six. I should be joyful. I should be proud, and excited. But all I hear is that name. Altair.

***

We're dismissed and I leave as quickly as I can. I try to lose him—Dragon—in the crowd, not wanting to be near him until we can talk. Even then, I'm not sure I want that. A shiver runs through me. He's back. He's back. The words fill my mind but don't completely process. My body trembles with fear, not knowing what I should feel. There's a deep-rooted knot in my stomach, but I'm not sure if it's from confusion, anger, or the intense sense of betrayal. It was their fault he was taken away. But he promised...

Kavi steps in front of me, stopping me in my tracks. "Jaina, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," I snap then try to move around her.

She puts her hand on my shoulder, forcing me to stay. "No. I know that wasn't easy for you. You're not okay."

"I swear Kavi, I'm alright," I insist.

Kavi raises an eyebrow, a fiery look in her eyes. "Shaav Jaina, talk to me."

I hesitate. There's no way she'd understand. She wasn't there when they took him. She didn't know him like I did. "Why didn't he say anything?" I ask, angrily.