Evaline:
Without wasting any more ti, we stepped out of the maze just as the sun started to dip below the horizon.
Dozens of eyes were watching us. These were the other applicants, so had already passed the test while others were those who got disqualified. And then there were also the staff of the Academy.
Whispers filled the air as so looked at us in shock with others seed impressed. As for the five of us? We were smiling.
The five of us were dirty after spending so many hours inside the maze and going through all sorts of obstacles. All of us were bruised too, small cuts and scraps here and there. Exhaustion was beginning to dawn over us, especially on . But... we all were proud.
Mallory flung an arm around my shoulders as she spoke, "Told you we would make it."
This made laugh, and it a rare, full sound that even I hadn’t heard from myself in ages.
"You were indeed right."
We had passed the second test.
* * *
By the ti we made it back to the clearing where our cottages were located, night had fully descended. The sky was velvet black and stars were scattered across it, blinking like tiny secrets.
A cool breeze whispered across my face, brushing away the remaining adrenaline still clinging to my skin like a second layer.
We had passed the second test, we were still standing, and yet, I couldn’t shake the weight pressing against my ribs.
Mallory was chatting animatedly with Selene and Noah. The three of them were recounting monts of the maze like it had been so thrilling, harmless adventure.
Kyros was walking beside in silence with his hands shoved in his pockets. I liked that about him. He never pushed to speak. Just existed quietly beside , like a steady wall in a world full of falling stones.
I was grateful for that.
"I don’t think I have ever seen soone move the way you did," he said suddenly.
I blinked, feeling startled. "What do you an?"
"In the fight with the warden. You didn’t hesitate. You read his patterns like it was second nature."
I shrugged, trying to make light of it. "I grew up needing to be faster than those trying to hurt . Guess it stuck." It wasn’t really a lie.
His brows furrowed, but he didn’t ask more which I was again grateful for.
We finally reached the cottages and Noah was first to split from us, Kyros and Selene followed next, and then it was my turn. I was about to wave a bye at Mallory when she surpised with a hug.
"I’m glad you were with us," she whispered while pulling back. "Don’t forget that."
"I won’t," I said quietly.
She stepped back and gave her signature bright smile. "Good night, Eva."
I gave her a small but sincere smile before heading inside the cottage. After the first test, the number of applicants living in Cottage 13 had dropped from eight to six. And I wondered how many would be left after this second test.
Once I was inside my bedroom, I let out a deep sigh. I was feeling extrely exhausted and I was thankful for the absence of my roommate, not like he’s ever present except for late nights.
I needed a quick shower and then plenty of sleep.
* * *
The next morning, I found myself wandering toward the outer field before breakfast as I felt drawn by the sound of distant clashing.
It was only when I arrived there did I notice Kyros.
He was sparring with another student. He was moving like water and steel, fluid yet deadly. The other boy was tall and broad, but he was slower. Kyros ducked under a swing, twisted, and then knocked the weapon clean from his opponent’s grip.
Sound of clapping and cheers filed the air from the spectators that had gathered to enjoy and appreciated the mont.
"Impressive," I said once Kyros walked toward when he noticed my presence among the crowd.
He took a mont to watch before asking, "Couldn’t sleep?"
"Not really." I admitted truthfully but didn’t delve in the nightmares that haunted during the nights.
He nodded lightly before suddenly offering a wooden blade. "Want to try?"
I arched a brow, completely taken aback. "You want to fight soone with no wolf and no training?"
"I have seen the way you move," he said simply. "You don’t need a wolf to be dangerous."
That... was the nicest thing anyone had ever said to . And that... made reach forward and accept the blade.
I wasn’t confident, at least not against Kyros. Despite his initial nerdy appearance and energy, he was strong and knew exactly what he was doing.
Besides, I didn’t want to take any chance by engaging into heavy physical activity, especially after going through the second test just the day before.
With each passing day, I was getting more and more sure about my pregnancy and my worries were increasing with it. Ti was slipping past and I still had no idea what I was going to do about my pregnancy.
But at the mont, I had no ti to think about this matter. First, I needed to make it into the Silver Moon as a new student, and then I would think about the rest.
I focused my attention on sparring, and despite playing safe, we ended up going on for nearly half an hour.
Kyros wasn’t gentle, but he wasn’t cruel either. His every strike was to test my reflexes, and every block forced to think, to adjust. He didn’t give room to feel sorry for myself. And I respected that.
By the ti I stumbled back, chest heaving and hair sticking to my forehead, I was smiling. Genuinely.
"You are fast," he said. "Sharp, too."
I panted, trying to catch my breath. "You are not bad either."
He grinned. "Co on. Let’s go grab breakfast?"
I nodded and fell into step beside him. I wasn’t sure yet what to think about his and Mallory’s presence in my life, but I was grateful for it. And I wanted these two to make into Silver Moon.
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