The Matriarch (Academy In Flames Book 6) by Scarlett Reid

Author:Scarlett Reid [Reid, Scarlett]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-01-03T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 16

The late afternoon cast long shadows across the grass. Walking at a brisk pace, Ana dipped into the woods, where the temperature dropped several degrees.

Fyrenza? she called.

The branches danced in the breeze, some of the trees still vibrant green while others completely turned to brown, gold, and red.

I see you.

Ana didn’t have time to ask where she was. Fyrenza swooped down from a red and yellow tree and landed at Ana’s feet.

Dropping her bag, Ana crouched down to pet Fyrenza. “I didn’t see you up there. You blend in so well.”

Yet another of my many talents.

Ana found a grassy spot to settle on and drew her knees up. “Where have you been?”

Nowhere special.

As per usual, the answer was vague. Ana’s heart ached for the days when Fyrenza roosted on her bedpost or the dormitory window ledge. Those days would likely never come again, she knew. Even if Fyrenza did decide it was safe for her at Galfour’s Point, she was growing. She might even be large enough for Ana to ride in a few months’ time.

Fyrenza cocked her head and studied the trees. Branches cracked and birds sang.

“I’m pretty sure I wasn’t followed,” Ana said. “If that’s what you’re thinking.”

It doesn’t hurt to be cautious...but I don’t hear anyone. How are you?

The question took Ana by surprise. She had expected to be the one asking the questions and wasn’t sure she wanted to talk about herself.

“I’m…” She wrapped her arms around her knees. “I just encouraged Brax to ask another girl to Galfour’s Point’s dance.”

Why on Terrair would you do that?

She pursed her lips at Fyrenza. “Because I want him to be happy, and Carina is nice.”

But he won’t be doing it. Obviously.

“No, not obviously. He said he’ll ask her.”

Fyrenza squawked. But only to appease you.

“What? No!” Her face warmed. “He’s not doing anything for me.”

That’s what you think. My heightened senses tell me that boy has a crush on you that is as big as this continent.

Ana’s face heated more, nearly to boiling point. Your heightened senses don’t work in that way. You don’t have a sixth sense.

How would you know? You’re not a phoenix.

Ana shook her head and dragged her fingers down her cheeks. “I don’t want to go to this dance anyway. Especially not with someone.”

But if you were to go, it would be with him.

Ana made a sputtering noise in protest, but Fyrenza didn’t pause for a moment.

I don’t know why you insist on denying your feelings for him. You’re just as gaga as he is. You probably think you’re good at hiding it, but you’re not.

Ana felt her eyes widen. “I’m not?”

Ha. Caught you. You just admitted to it.

Ana tossed a handful of dirt at her. “Damn you, Fyrenza. You trapped me.”

You trapped yourself.

“Romance ruins things, all right?” Ana folded her arms and leaned her back against a tree trunk. “Friendship is too important. It has to be protected.”

Plus you’re afraid of becoming even closer to him, because you think that if you lost him the pain would be too much to bear.

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