The Eye of Elicion: The Kinowenn Chronicles Vol 1
Page 45
“Certainly,” said Lucy with a smile. “Enjoy.”
Maya walked off with a smile, and Lucy shook her head. Whatever her feelings for Joss, Maya would always enjoy being worshiped by men. She continued to eat and scanned the Dining Hall. She saw Gavin deep in conversation with Gina, the girl he had taken to the formal dinner and dance. Or, he was as deep in conversation as a person can be with a chicken leg in one hand and a spoonful of potatoes in the other. Lucy was so lost in thought that she jumped when Justin set down his tray.
“Didn’t mean to startle you,” he said.
“No worries,” said Lucy with a shrug.
“Maya looks great.”
“She certainly does. Why do I get the feeling that with someone who likes to turn heads along, incognito is out of the question for future adventures?”
“Don’t worry about Maya. She can blend in when she has to. When she is free to do her own thing, she flaunts what she wants to. Then, you only have to worry if you are a guy.”
Lucy laughed. “Don’t you have other friends you want to catch up with?”
Justin shrugged, “I’m not sure what I would say to some of them. Parts of our trip were too personal, too painful, or too boring.”
“Yeah, I understand. Want to hear about how I burnt some men that attacked us to a crisp? Not the best conversation starter. Nor is it the best dinner topic,” said Lucy.
“Would you like me to tell you about an erdette?” suggested Justin continuing with the joke.
“I have a fabulous story about going through an archway.”
They both got quiet after that. As close as they were and even sharing many of the same experiences, they weren’t ready to talk about that one, even though each was curious about what the other had been through. Lucy wasn’t sure she’d ever want to talk about it. She fingered her tattooed left wrist. How could she talk about it when the worst parts were how she felt? She didn’t think she could talk about it without feeling that sense of fear, foreboding, frustration, helplessness, pain, and anger.
“Everything go well with Quinn?” asked Lucy changing the subject.
“Yes. Quinn has the Eye.”
“What’s to be done with it?”
“Currently it’s in Quinn’s office for safekeeping. It may later be destroyed, I’m not sure.”
“Do you know what we are doing next or when?” asked Lucy.
“I’m not sure of that either. I would guess they’ll have us here long enough to take a couple of classes and let us rest up. Observe us a little to make sure we haven’t gone completely insane. Even people who enjoy traveling can get burnt out, and I get the impression they don’t want to do that to us. Also, they thought Gavin looked a little thin so they want to make sure he’s getting enough food.”
Lucy laughed again. “I somehow thought that things would feel more finished after we did all that.”
“Obviously you’ve read too many books.” Justin said with a smile. “Very few things finish, and even though part of our task is done, the overall task could last for years yet.”
“Job security. An interesting concept,” joked Lucy.
“As long as you live long enough to enjoy it,” said Justin half joking half very serious.
They continued to eat and discussed plans for the weekend. After dinner they took a walk outside. Even after all the time spent outside, rather than get sick of it, Lucy was beginning to feel suffocated indoors. They had spent a lot of time together over the last couple of months, but not very much of it had been alone. There were always other people around. Lucy felt both strange and comfortable. They talked about little things; Lucy needing new boots, things they wanted to learn before they went on the next quest, going back to their jobs at the school. Lucy wondered if Ted had even felt her absence. He seemed the type to be too preoccupied to notice the comings and goings of others. She would show up, and he would assume that she was there for her normal shift not even commenting that she had missed multiple weeks’ worth of shifts. When it got late, Justin let her back to her room.
“Thanks for the walk,” said Lucy.
“Didn’t you get enough walking over the last few weeks?” joked Justin.
“We did more riding that walking. None of it was comfortable strolling on familiar and safe ground. I have to admit, I like feeling safe.”
“I agree. I could never be comfortable in Kennemt with all those open windows and walls. I understand why they do that, but I don’t feel safe without doors.”
“I enjoyed meeting your brother,” commented Lucy.
“I’m glad. I was pretty sure you two would get along.” Thinking about Taran made Justin pause.
“I suppose I should go to bed,” said Lucy.
“Think you can sleep?”
“No, but I think I should give it a try. It would be a good idea to get back on the school’s schedule since we are starting classes again soon.”
Justin nodded, and Lucy turned to go into her room. Justin reached out a hand to grab her hand to stop her. Lucy turned back towards him, a questioning look on her face.
“Before you go, I think there is something we need to clear up,” he said.
“What’s that?”
“This.”
Justin pulled Lucy closer to him with the hand holding her hand, reached his other hand up to cradle her head, and gently kissed her lips. After a delightful and confusing moment, he pulled away, smiled, and winked.
“Goodnight Lucy,” he said.
“Goodnight Justin,” Lucy managed to stammer out.
(That is how something that started out as a joke became an education, an adventure, a job, a relationship, a life.)
The Endish
(because it’s only the end until the sequel comes out)
Table of Contents
Title
Copyright
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59