Maybe there is something to these trials.
When I arrive back to the room, Roman is sitting on the bed — reading. For the past few days, we’ve been on opposite schedules. I’m off to a trial while he’s sleeping, and when I’m exhausted and ready for bed, he’s waking up.
“Are you smiling?” he teases.
“Are you reading?” I counter.
“That’s how bored I am.”
“Is it that bad?”
“No, when everyone’s asleep, I’ve got full reign, and you wouldn’t believe what I found.”
“Oh, really?” I sit on the edge of his bed as he continues.
“They have a bath the size of a pool and a huge library. I think I’ve found an old sacrificial altar; it even had some old blood on it.”
“Ew, really?”
“It was awesome.”
“What else?” I sigh, leaning against him. “I want to hear all about your day.”
“They have a surprisingly small kitchen for the size of the castle.”
“No way.”
“Yeah, you know how there’s no blood allowed in the temple?” he asks.
“Yes.” Of course, I remember the one rule I broke.
“Well, I think it’s because the priests have taken a vow not to eat meat — they are all vegetarians.”
“No!” I gasp. He must be teasing me because a vegetarian wolf is as rare as a swimming cat.
“Yup, I asked the cook for lunch, and he gave me oat biscuits he makes. They aren’t bad.”
“Interesting.”
“Then when Honi and Cullen wake up, we usually go on a hunt in the field and play games.” Cullen and Honi have always looked out for us since Cullen’s Challenge. I’m glad to hear they are keeping him busy while I’m not around.
“Are we going to talk about that smile? Are the trials working?” he teases, elbowing me in the side.
“I—” Can I talk to my little brother about this? “Maybe.”
“Wow, I never thought I’d see the day. Are you blushing?”
“No! It’s the light.” I stand from the bed, hiding the flush in my cheeks.
“Liar, there’s no light! We’re in a cliff.” He smacks me with a pillow.
“I don’t know what you are talking about.” I reach over and grab my pillow, but he catches me in the side first.
I grab him, locking his neck in the crook of my elbow before messing up his auburn curls. He flips me off balance and we tumble to the ground in a fit of giggles.
I’m going to miss this.
After we catch our breath, I ask, “You said there’s a bath?”