And fly to the skies from your land
I watch him when he speaks—not just listen, but really watch. The shift in his eyes, the way his voice drops when he says he knows what he’d ask for. I shouldn’t ask. I know I shouldn’t.
But I’m me.
“What would you pray for?” I ask, soft, before I can stop myself. The words feel too intimate the moment they’re out in the open. I glance down quickly, wincing. “Sorry. You don’t have to answer that. I know that’s a personal thing.”
When his eyes settle on me again—sharp, measuring—I try not to shift in my seat. He’s always had that look, like he could see more than he said. It used to intimidate me. It still kind of does. But when he says I had more grit than most adults even back then, something blooms quietly in my chest. I fight back a smile, and fail.
“Thanks,” I murmur, trying to play it off as if my heart isn’t thumping proud behind my ribs. If Damien saw that in me, even as a kid, then I just have to prove it’s still true.
As he sets his mug down, I take another sip of mine, watching him over the rim. His hand rakes through his hair, and when that reluctant smile tugs at his mouth, it feels like a win. A rare, golden one. I decide right then that I like his smile. I want to see it again.
And then he leans forward, his eyes fixed on mine, and it takes me a second to realize what he’s doing.
Wait. Is he actually asking me to teach him?
I blink. I mean… Ronin asked me to help train beginners. This counts as practicing for that, right?
My eyes flick over him—broad shoulders, strong arms, all that quiet strength—and I lift an eyebrow, biting back a grin. “You sure about who’s teaching who?” I tease. “You’ve definitely got more brute strength.” I sit back a little and swirl what’s left in my mug. “The void-luxere were kind of beginner-level, honestly. It was more about staying alert than anything else. Luxere are usually so peaceful—seeing them corrupted like that, charging from all sides out of the trees… it was just wrong.”
He points at me with that raised-brow look and I can’t help the amused grin that stretches across my face. I nudge his boot under the bar with mine, just enough to return the challenge.
“Always got your back.” Then I shift forward, just a little, elbow on the bar to mirror his. “As for teaching you…” I tilt my head, eyes sparking. “Why not now?”
A beat. Then I lift my chin with mock innocence.
“Unless the day has already worn you out too much.”
The land that you love and all that you are
