Head Rush by Liz Bullard

Author:Liz Bullard [Liz Bullard]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Liz Bullard
Published: 2024-01-18T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter thirteen

13

Talia has slipped from her sleeping quarters long before her dorm mates. The night was full of chattering giggles and girlish rambling about first kisses. Even Veya could not pull herself away to slip back into her sleeping quarters. Talia pretended as if sleep took her quickly while the three teased and taunted. But rest, she could not find. Since their kiss, she could not get him out of her head. Before, he was a lingering annoyance that she could sometimes push away. But now the gentle touch of his smooth lips coated with the bittersweet alcohol fills her mind. She longs for his deep, earthy scent with every breath. She finds herself wondering, does he think the same of her?

Embarrassed and not ready to face more questions, Talia slips away. Half of the training yard is still darkened as the Rising Sun slowly wakes the land, but she knows her mentor Sage Onmai is awake and having her morning meal. Talia prays to the ancestors that Onmai will not tease her trivial feelings and will guide her back to the path of being a warrior. A path that is much more simpler than the mix of emotions and thoughts that keep her up in the night.

Walking past the Elders’ Villa to a lodging that is filled with the quiet hum of deep reflection, Talia glides stealthily through the corridor to the end of the hall. When she pushes the door open, Onmai sits lazily in her chair. In front of her is a table filled with morning pastries and fruits. Steam from the tea cup is visible in the morning chill. Hanging from the walls and ceiling are plants that look like they will soon overtake the room. This space is Onmai’s personal reflection room. Everything about this space exudes the quiet tranquility that Talia longs for. Yet today she struggles to find it.

“Have a seat, dear one. I had them bring an extra place setting in case you decided to join me for my morning meal.” Onmai says.

Today, Talia does not protest. She obliges and pours her own steaming brew. Pieces of rose petal and lavender slip from the kettle into the cup. The warmth of the liquid is unlike that experienced the night before, sitting beside Eli, drinking from the same container of ale.

“Why do you not marry Sage Onmai?” The question spills from Talia before she can realize the words. She didn’t want to start there. She doesn’t even know why that is the first thing on her mind.

Talia brings her eyes from the cup to search the sage’s face for a sign that she is offended, but when Onmai speaks, her tone is light and full of wisdom. “For some, they choose not to marry and for others marriage fails to choose them.”

Looking at her deeply, Talia asks, “Which are you?”

With a pleasant smile on her lips, Onmai says. “It seems you will not let me escape this question, will you?”

Talia shakes her head.

Sipping her tea, Onmai considers her response.

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