Sovereign - The Dark Sorcerers: Book 2

Chapter 8: Mission Hopping

Rowan

Rissy's eyebrows almost touched her hairline as she stared at me, her arms crossed over her chest. The steady rhythm of her foot tapping the floor—a tic she always had when she was nervous—was so familiar that my mind went blank for a second, lost in nostalgia. "What do you mean that we're all going on a mission to the Capital?"

"Exactly what I said, Rissy," I replied, rubbing my face in exasperation. I had told her, Gale, Mom and the Dwarfs every detail of my conversation with the General at least twice already, but none of them seemed to fully realize the severity of our current situation yet. Not that I could blame them. I was still quite overwhelmed by General Waters's tale myself.

"I guess it's just your team of Elites that's allowed to have all the fun again?" Amelia grumbled, slumping back in her chair. Mom, who sat next to her, tucked a loose strand of my sister's long, black hair behind her ear.

Mom and Amelia's reunion had been a confusing chaos of surprised outcries, cautious inspections and a tight embrace. Amelia had pulled me into the hug as well, suffocating the three of us while we reveled in the feeling of being a complete family again. More or less.

"Your graduation ceremony is in two weeks," I said. "I've already submitted a request to add you to my team, so if all goes well, you'll receive permission to join us at the Royal Palace not long after." Amelia rolled her eyes, but I knew that she was satisfied with my response. It was the best scenario she'd get anyway.

"So you'll miss my ceremony?"

"I'm sorry, Lia. At least Mom will be here to congratulate you." It struck me once again how much my mother and sister looked alike. They could have been twins, save for the obvious age gap and the innocent devilry in Amelia's dark eyes.

"But I want my big brother!" she pouted, flinging herself at me and wrapping her arms around my neck in a choking grip. I laughed, grabbing the armrest to avoid losing my balance. It felt good to hold her, as if nothing had changed during the past few months.

Everything had changed, though.

Rissy knew it, for her gaze was glued to my face, anxious to question me about my mission. Gale knew it, because he had always read my face like an open book, no matter how hard I tried to conceal my secrets. Even Amelia seemed to sense the turmoil in my mind and heart; she held onto me a little longer than usual, squeezing my shoulders before letting go.

Their discretion made the air in the room feel thin, depriving my lungs of oxygen. No longer able to endure their curious stares, I got up from my chair. "Do you mind if I go to bed early? I feel like a carriage has run over me." I emphasized my words with a loud yawn. Rissy pressed her lips together, but a warning glance on my part stopped her from protesting.

I motioned my mother and the Dwarfs to follow me to their rooms, and Gale and Amelia wished us goodnight as we left the common room. Fortunately, the General had been prepared to arrange accommodation for Ellie and Larry until they could participate in some standard trials to prove their worth to the Academy's ranks. As for my Mom, she would soon start looking for a house to rent in Brunwill, but in the meantime, she was allowed to stay in the castle for as long as she needed.

After making sure that their rooms on the fourth floor met all requirements, I went back down the broad stairs in the main hall toward the second floor, where every member of my team had their own private room. As I had already feared, Rissy stood waiting in front of my door, her head leaned back against the thick wood.

"I meant it when I said I was tired, Rissy," I said, a bit harsher than I had intended. I searched my pockets for the key and turned my back to her while I fumbled with the lock, hoping that she would receive the message.