CHAPTER 67: RAHRIA’S MADNESS

(Amaia)

Embarrassment still coats every fragment of my being. To be discovered making out with my mate by another of my mates.

How poetic.

Mintaka’s views about me seem to have spiralled even more. He now surely believes I am some desperate girl, looking for quick hook-ups.

Only if he knew what I meant to them and what they meant to me.

Alnitak emerges from our wash area, appearing fresh and clean. He flashes me a wicked smile.

"Sorry, I have to run but we are not done. Far from it."

I blush at his words, and heat creeps up on my face. Winking, he disappears through the door, closing it behind him.

I throw away the blanket and slowly crawl out of bed.

Aching, wet, frustrated.

I guess I will need a hot shower and pray for the best. Moving over to the cupboard, I drag it open and grab a pair of jeans and a large sweatshirt before heading to the wash area.

Stripping down I find the mess I have made. I am dripping wet from Alnitak’s finger invasion and I am not even ashamed.

At least one of my mates wants me.

After an elaborate shower and rubbing myself clean, I put on fresh clothes and step out.

The smell of food Alnitak has brought finally gets my attention. My mouth waters, seeing the contents of the plate.

Corned beef with sauteed potatoes and carrots, veggie rice, yoghurt sauce and slices of bread.

Grabbing the plate, I take it over to the window and sit there to eat and enjoy the view.

It shows the elaborate gardens and the training arena. Some students are strolling along. A few trials are going on.

There is a knock on the door again.

"Com..e in," I call out, chewing on the delicious beef.

The door is opened and in walks Kacir, surprising me.

"Why did you knock?" I ask curiously. This is his room too.

He pauses giving me a sheepish look.

"Alnitak wanted to bring you food so I wasn’t sure where that could go. I didn’t want to walk into something..."

I purse my lips and try not to blush even more red than I already am.

"Yeah...about that. Wise choice...my friend." Flustered, I answer and he just silently rubs the back of his head.

Awkwardness falls between us.

"How were trials...."

"How are you fee..."

Both of us begin at the same time and burst out laughing.

"You go first," I offer and he nods.

"How are you feeling now?"

"Much better. Thanks," I answer, helping myself to some rice.

"How did your trials go?" Kacir goes over and sits on the edge of his bed, facing me. He has a rare grin on his face.

"Nailed them."

"Yahh! That’s cool." I extend the plate towards him but he just shakes his head.

"I just ate. This is for you." Placing his elbows on his thighs, he holds his face in his hands and elaborates.

"There is still time, if you want to register for some games."

I know games can be a good distraction, and there certainly are a few I could participate in, but just not today.

"I have no strength for now," I say with a sigh. Lowering my head. The ache in my heart and thigh seems to have become an integral part of me.

"That’s fine. You can always participate in tug-of-war. It’s compulsory for all and is fun too. Plus, no superpowers are allowed, just pure body strength."

I liked the sound of that.

"That will be fun. When is it going to be held?" I question, breaking a piece of bread and plopping it in my mouth.

"Tomorrow will be the first practice. The final games day is held at the end of the year so we will have lots of time to practice," he informs me.

"I am in." This will be a real test for our broken guild. We are supposed to be a team but I don’t think we can act like one until we put our differences aside.

"So what are your interests apart from being a badass with your sword," Kacir asks, changing the subject.

"I love reading books and watching movies from the old world. I know they don’t make them anymore, but my old pack had this old VCR, which still ran, and I used to enjoy watching fantasy movies." The entertainment industry had died with the old world; in this new world, hunters, enforcers, and Dread Army were the entertainers.

I want to hold onto the scraps. We might never return to what the old world was like, hiding behind thick walls and magic boundaries. But I am not ready to just give up on every piece of it.

"We can arrange a movie night. The Academy also has a projector. Let me speak with Chastin and see if he and the other seniors are interested too."

My smile widens at this. "That would be great. We need some entertainment. I hope others like movies too."

"I do. They make me feel nostalgic, but yeah, they are a good way to pass the time. You forget your own tragic life for a while," he solemnly says. A profound sadness descends on him and he then goes extremely quiet.

"Are you alright? If you ever want to talk..." I just leave the sentence hanging and reach out with my hand, grabbing and squeezing his.

Kacir simply nods, giving me a broken smile.

The door to our room flies open without a knock and Rahria stands in the door frame. Her chest heaves and nostrils flare.

We really need to start locking this fucking door.

"Stop touching my mate. Can’t you leave him be," she seethes out, stalking towards me. Murder written all over her face.

I lean back into my seat, watching her with a blank expression. I do want to throw the truth of what she has done to Kacir in her face but I respect him too much.

Kacir sighs and stands up, blocking her from reaching me.

"Why are you here? And you are supposed to knock, not barge into our room," he says calmly, standing in front of her like a pillar.

"I am here to get you. We have a meeting with your father. This mess needs to be sorted." She points towards me and grabs his hand. He breaks it free from her hold, not wanting to be touched.

It’s painful to see them like this.

"You went babbling to my dad?" He asks, bewildered.

"Yes, because you refuse to listen to me." She throws me a contempt-filled look, tosses her hair back and hisses at Kacir.

"Let’s go. We will talk on the way. I am not speaking in front of her." With that, she turns around and walks out.

Kacir lowers his head in frustration and I can see he is struggling. Quietly, I stand up and say, "Do what you feel is right."

"I have to listen to my dad. He is not a man to be crossed or ignored. I will be back." The pain his words carry hurts my heart, and with a heaviness weighing down on me, I watch him go.