The Unearthing (Book I of the Tebel Chronicles)

Chapter 27

Trey's strange behavior continued into the evening. Normally she had often caught him glancing at her during meal times, but tonight he continued to avoid her. Maybe she had offended him yesterday. She kept glancing up to see him talking to Rudi at their table and was surprised at how much she didn't like seeing that. Cyan's ears pricked up when she overheard Nanci and Syril's conversation at the end of her table. She wasn't the only one to notice Trey's newfound interest.

'Are they back together, do you think?'

'Not sure,' replied Syril to her sister. 'But don't you think they look great together?'

'Yes, she's so pretty.'

'Pretty? She's beautiful and he's gorgeous,' said Syril in admiration, making Shyla look up from the book she was studying while eating.

'Excuse me,' said Cyan softly to Matty and Kael, who were having a heated debate about some history point supposedly in their next exam. She went to her room and flung herself on her bed. 

Whatever, I don't care. 

But she couldn't deny the hurt she felt having heard that conversation. Why hadn't Trey told her about Rudi? Had he secretly been hoping to renew their relationship all this time? Was he just biding his time while spending time around Cyan? 

Before long there was a quiet knock and Shyla came in.

'How are you?' she asked. 'You left your food untouched.'

'Yeah fine – just didn't feel hungry. I'm tired from the day. As usual Rudi has pushed me beyond what's reasonable,' said Cyan bitterly.

'Yes, it would seem so,' said Shyla shrewdly. 'She has always wanted Trey back.'

'Why would I care?' asked Cyan too quickly, studying the ceiling intently. This was not the first time Shyla had surprised her with her intuition.

'Because you like him – quite a lot, I think.'

'No I don't.'

'Don't worry; I think it's only obvious to me. Trust me, the boys are oblivious.'

'Do you think they are back together?' Cyan asked, sitting up and looking at her friend. Shyla sat at the end of Cyan's bed.

'Would it be really awful if they were?'

Cyan looked away. 'It's just that . . . well, he kissed me yesterday.' She tried to contain the blush she could feel starting from the base of her neck.

'Ah.'

Cyan glanced back to see Shyla looking at her in pity.

'What?'

'No, it's just ... look, I'd be careful of Trey. If it were just a crush from your side then that would be fine, but if he's making advances I'd be careful. That's all.'

'Why?' Cyan demanded, her annoyance rising again swiftly.

'Uh, it's just that –' Shyla hesitated, '– it's just that he and Rudi have a long history. And no one was sure why they broke it off. Anyway, he's such a new Master and so young for a Master anyway, then he became a Grand Master. It just seems too good to be true with him. I would be careful, especially since you're a student.'

'Yes, you're right,' said Cyan. 'Probably not a good idea anyway. Maybe it would be best if he did get back with her.'

Shyla looked at her astutely. 'You don't really think that.'

'No, I dislike Rudi intensely. But I don't want either me or Trey to get into trouble over this. So you're right – best I leave well enough alone.'

Shyla pursed her lips thoughtfully.

'I'm fine,' insisted Cyan. 'In fact I am going to go and train before showering and heading for bed.'

'Alright,' said Shyla uncertainly.

Cyan grabbed her training gear and walked back down the corridor with Shyla.

'Did you speak to Kael?' she asked Shyla.

'He also thinks it may be useless continuing watching the stables after so long with nothing happening. He said we should speak about a plan tomorrow.'

'Great. Well, see you tomorrow. Night.'

Cyan rushed off to the indoor training room. She didn't want Shyla to realize the extent of her feelings for Trey. She was going to have to be more careful from now on.

Trey was in the training room, leaning against the same rail where he had kissed her two days before.

'What're you doing here?' she asked, approaching him.

'You left dinner without eating anything. I was worried that you might be sick.'

'No, I'm not sick. I'm fine.'

'Oh, right,' he said with a small frown. 'So what's the matter?'

'Nothing,' said Cyan, shrugging.

He stood up. 'Fine. I was mistaken. I should leave you to train.'

As he walked past her towards the door Cyan thought quickly – she'd rather know.

'Why didn't you tell me about Rudi?'

He stopped, turned slowly and walked back to her. He took her hand and held it. 'I thought it might be that,' he started. 'We do have a long history – a long and complicated history. I should have told you. But tonight we were talking about test questions.'

Cyan just looked at him, a blush starting to creep up her neck for the second time that evening.

'You were jealous,' he accused, the tips of his mouth creeping up into her favorite of his smiles.

'No I wasn't,' she protested, mortified.

'Yes you were,' he grinned. 'Admit it.'

'I was confused. You made me confused. And then I needed clarity and you were silent. And then much more confused. And then . . . I guess I was hurt,' she said looking down at their hands. He tipped her head back up. She looked at him.

'Cyan,' he said gently, 'it was over with Rudi before you came along. You're all I think about, all I've thought about, for a long time . . . since that night on the rooftop in Carmi.'

He gazed in her eyes and her stomach clenched with tension at his expression. Her eyes couldn't leave his as he dipped his head towards her and kissed her gently. Finally she closed her eyes, relaxing into his embrace. Trey pulled her closer and deepened the kiss. At first she lost herself in him, his scent and touch, but it wasn't long before her mind wondered where this would lead and she panicked. She broke away abruptly.

'Sorry,' he said.

'No, I'm sorry,' she said. 'I'm just not there quite yet.'

'We'll go slowly,' he said kindly.

'Yes, please.'

He kissed her again softly before straightening up.

'You're going?'

'I actually need to go and set the paper I was speaking to Rudi about.' He grinned ruefully. 'Go and sleep rather. I'll see you tomorrow.'

Cyan struggled to fall asleep, butterflies of excitement and panic seemed to alternate as she thought and rethought about what had just happened. Under it all, she knew she couldn't wait for her lesson with him tomorrow.