Sol’s eyes went wide. He was well into his second slab of dragon steak, and he paused midbite. “What?” he said, his mouth still full.
I chuckled and began clearing the table. “Titus is right. Claire hasn’t had any earth training, and you’re the only one who can show her around the Earth Quad.” I grinned at Sol’s open horror. “Welcome to escort duty, big guy.”
“Well, fae on a spit,” he cursed, dropping the tainted piece of meat. “That’s why you brought home dragon steak.”
“No.” Because I didn’t know her schedule. “But I assumed you’d need something positive in order to remain here.”
“Damn it. I knew a great meal was too good of a thing coming from you, Vox.” He crossed his arms and glowered at me.
I sent him a whisper of wind so my words only made it to his ears. “Remember, a month of credits!”
Excitement lit his eyes. Even if it was a silly bet that Claire would make him admit he’d met his match, it was one way to get him to agree to take the Halfling to class.
He nodded.
Challenge accepted.
Claire
Earth class was not what I expected.
Sol had painted a picture with his size, giving me the impression that all Earth Fae were, well, ground shattering. I mean, the man’s fist could crack stone.
So when we entered the outdoor arena surrounded by trees and buzzing life, I blinked. And as the students who were half of Sol’s size began to stroll inside, I blinked again.
Several of the girls glanced at him and blushed while saying hello. He engaged in pleasantries, but I sensed his unease and wondered why he kept himself apart from the group who clearly wanted to engage with him.
However, I followed him as he meandered along the outskirts, each step shaking the ground beneath him. No one else seemed to carry such weight or energy, some of the other males appearing downright petite compared to Sol. Almost sickly.
How strange.
“Hi, Sol,” another female fae said, her dark hair the color of midnight stones and her eyes a gleaming azure shade.
“Aflora,” he returned, his lips curling fondly.
“Have you decided about the Solstice Ball yet?” she asked, her hands tucked behind her as she swiveled on her feet.
“You know I hate those events.” He said the words with a smile, his affection more brotherly than flirtatious. “But I’ve heard Glacier wants to take you. Say yes to him.”
“I’ll wait for you,” she said instead and gave him a little giggle before flouncing off through the flowers with a jump in her step.
Sol sighed, shaking his head. “Damn Solstice Ball.”
“What’s a Solstice Ball?” I asked.
“This big holiday dance where everyone gets dressed up. Happens around the Festivus season, seven weeks from now.” He sounded completely disgusted by the idea. “It’s like couple purgatory.”
“Why?”
He cut me a sideways glance. “Did you miss the part about dressing up?”
“That sounds fun to me.”
He looked me over and snorted. “Yeah, I suppose you’d enjoy wearing a ball gown and slippers. But me in a tux? No, thanks.”
“Then wear normal clothes,” I suggested.
He chuckled. “That would certainly shock the masses.”