Chapter Fifty-Four
Chapter Fifty-Four
The four of us abandon the training room in order to venture out in search of food, led by Toshiro. Since he has the best sense of smell, I find it safe to assume that he’s the best leader to have for this mission, as he leads us through the unfamiliar hallways with a sense of purpose. Since he’s cured my ailments in the arena, he hasn’t said a word to either Mirin or myself, stalking ahead of us with a brooding silence about him. I make a mental note to ensure that Cosimo has food sent to his room, wherever that is since he isn’t feeling well.
Mirin casts a wary look at Toshiro’s back, sticking close to my side as we trail him through the corridors. I notice a bruise forming on his cheekbone from his earlier struggles, and I’m sure the skin beneath his clothes is in equally bad shape. I can imagine how painful it must be for him to move around after being tossed like a ragdoll, but his expression doesn’t reflect it. He seems to be holding a grudge against Toshiro for battering me up so badly during my first practice session, and Arcane seems to be just as sore about it. At least I can rest assured that once he’s trained thoroughly, he’ll make a fine Knight for me.
“I hope you won’t take anything personally,” I say softly, turning to address him with a look. “I think he isn’t very good at training people. You’ve impressed me for your first day, however, so do not feel discouraged.”
Mirin runs a hand through his messy hair, pushing it back from his eyes as he glares at Toshiro’s back. “I hold no resentment over that,” He says, turning back to me with a worried expression. “Though I do hold a grudge for the way he treated you. I should tell My Lord promptly upon his return so he may face punishment for his actions.” I can hear the seething anger in his tone, so I hope my response can serve as a salve to cool him down.
“Don’t worry about that, I will handle it,” I assure him, reaching to touch his shoulder. He winces at the contact, confirming my suspicions that he’s in worse shape than he has been letting on. “And I will make him heal your injuries, as well. He treated you just as poorly.”
Mirin lifts his chin and shakes his head in opposition. “With all due respect, I must decline. I have to become more resilient, and I cannot do that with the expectation that all of my ailments will simply be cured. I would like to feel my pain and continue on, regardless. It reminds me that I must work harder if I ever intend to be worthy enough to protect you.”
He surprises me with his response, sounding far more mature than his outward appearance lets on. It makes me smile, reminded that he has already lived more than twice as many years as I have. “You will be worthy, no matter how you progress,” I reassure him with a smile. “I hand-selected you, regardless, but I know how powerful you will become. The first member of my personal Guard will always be the best.”
Mirin blushes, turning to look ahead with a new sense of pride. “I will remember your words until the day I die,” He says, voice deepening with his newfound sense of maturity. I find it safe to say that the motivational words did their job because he seems to walk a bit taller now. “I will not let you down.”
Toshiro stops outside of the dining hall, alerting us that we’ve arrived with a furrowed brow over his shoulder. I know he’s been able to hear every word that we’ve said, but he seems less than interested in that at the moment. I wonder what he’s been thinking so deeply about that slander of his name has done nothing to faze him. The look in his shimmering eyes tells me that I already know, though it’s not as though he intends to tell me anytime soon. Whatever it is that weighs on him has to do with Ascian and the reason that Toshiro snapped at me last night when I tried to press him for more information. What exactly is it that he suspects my husband is guilty of doing? It has certainly gotten under his skin, whatever it is, and considering how long they have known each other, I don’t like the looks of it.
Toshiro pulls open the door and holds it open for us, and I motion Mirin in ahead of me. As I pass through the threshold, Toshiro’s fingers encircle my wrist, pulling me to pause beside him. He keeps his voice very low as he whispers into my ear, to avoid Mirin overhearing. He smells like jasmine petals and sandalwood, something that I’ve never noticed until now. I expected him to smell more masculine, but it’s a pleasant surprise. “It is beyond abnormal for a human to perform magic like that. You are positive that Ascian has no knowledge of this?”
I frown, turning to look him in the eyes. Up close, they have even more gold flakes than I originally thought, and his ivory skin is poreless, completely devoid of flaws. He really does look like a god, after all, though I hate to admit it. “Not that he has ever let on. It isn’t as though he tells me everything,” I say, yanking my wrist free from his grasp. It remains firm against my skin, just enough to keep me from freeing myself without being too tight to cause pain.
When I look up at his expression again, a frown has formed on his mouth. Something swirls within his irises as the aura around him change into something darker, angrier. Not at me, I know, but it is no less intimidating to be within arms reach of him after what I experienced last night. My heart begins to beat faster as my instincts kick in, telling me to get away from him. As if able to sense my rising distress, Toshiro exhales slowly and pinches his eyes closed, regaining his composure. When he opens his mono-lids again, his irises are back to the usual black and gold colors and the magic around him subsides. He releases my arm and allows the doors to fall shut behind us, closing us into the dining hall.
“Unbelievable,” He mutters beneath his breath, almost inaudibly. He ushers me forward towards the table before I have time to ask him to clarify and he deposits me into my seat before taking the one beside me. All varieties of food are laid out on the table, though the scent of jasmine still lingers in my hair, overpowering despite the savory aromas of the meal. Without bothering to ask me what I’d like, Toshiro snatches my plate and begins to pile it with food, making sure to taste a piece of everything before handing it to me.
“No tomatoes, today,” I say, halting his serving forks advance to the roasted delicacy. He gives me a suspicious look but places my plate back in front of me again without a word. I should have assumed that he would have no intention of explaining himself, so I’ll have to assault him with my questions once we’re alone again. I don’t want to concern Mirin with any of this since he deserves to focus on his studies for the time being. If it comes to the point where it involves him, then I will inform him of whatever this is that Toshiro is on about.
We enjoy our meal in relative silence, save for the sounds of our cutlery against the plates and the sound of Arcane demolishing her carcass on the other side of the hall, where she can eat without disturbing our appetites. My goblet is filled with a sweet juice instead of wine this afternoon, which Toshiro begrudgingly sips before I am allowed to have a taste. It’s still new to me to have someone taste all of my food before I can eat, though I do understand the importance now. It doesn’t help that there is some unidentified person or thing stalking the corridors at night in search of me, which makes me grateful for Toshiro. He may be overbearing and a bit of a dick, but he is skilled enough to protect me, which is all that matters. I’ll have to praise Ascian for his choice of allies once he returns.
Once we’ve finished eating and I envision a plate of food being sent to Cosimo, we head from the dining hall to the library to continue our studies for the remaining time until supper. I know that Mirin could use a break from physical work, and I need to find out where that magic came from in the arena. I had assumed that it was Ascian’s residual power from my jewelry, but I’m sure that Toshiro would not have reacted so poorly if it was as simple as that. There is something else going on here, and I fully intend to uncover whatever is being shrouded.