Mathieu (White Flame Trilogy) - By Paula Flumerfelt Page 0,63
believe. I’ve trained a person or two before and I know how to select the right weaponry for a person. Most of it is obvious and most people are trained with basic swordplay. I doubt you’re dexterous enough for archery, more of a chick thing.” At this point he was more talking to himself than Mathieu. “Although with the way he looks…”
Growling, he shot a spark of energy towards the man, catching him in the cheek. It was the first time he used his gift and the sensation of it made him ache with longing; he truly missed feeling in harmony with his energy.
Solomon’s eyes narrowed, staring down the other. “What the hell was that?” The blond rubbed his cheek idly.
“I know I look like a girl okay, let’s not bring that up. I can change it about as much as you can change being a jackass.” He crossed his arms and huffed, looking down the slight hill to the tree below which Avian rested. She had always seemingly overlooked his feminineness, aside from dressing him like a girl.
Sighing, the blond took a deep breath and dug the toe of his boot into the ground. “You’re a real pain, you know that? I don’t doubt that you’re stronger than you look, because frankly, you don’t look like much. All I want to do is give you something to back up that cocky little attitude of yours so Nathan will get off my back. Quit trying to fight with me; I will win. I’ve been doing this a lot longer and I have no remorse. It’s that simple. Now, I think that a sword would be a good fit for you.” Solomon put one of his hands firmly on his hip. “Darcia will eventually help train you.”
“Darcia is…”
“The guy with the long bang and brooding disposition. Looks kind of like a shark.”
“Oh! That guy.” Mathieu recalled the aristocratic face and mouthful of sharp teeth.
Solomon nodded. “He’s our sword master.”
“Then why aren’t I training with him to start with?”
“What’s your problem with me, anyway?” The taller man asked, raising an eyebrow. “I’ve never done crap to you. I saved you from death, I fed you and tended your wounds while you healed from your gunshot wounds, I took care of you while you mopped over Avian, and now I’m sharing my room with you. You’re the most ungrateful, undeserving boy I’ve ever met. You’re a child in a man’s body and you don’t know how to graciously accept help.”
Mathieu looked at the grass between his feet, thoroughly scolded. He had thought that Kiev had been the one to take care of him, but it seemed that wasn’t true. Against his better judgment, he supposed he could try to be a little nicer to Solomon. “I’m sorry…”
“It’s fine. I want to bring down Unith as much as you do, and fighting within our own ranks isn’t doing us any favors.”
“Solomon…”
“Hm?” the blond met his gaze, an eyebrow raised.
Mathieu hesitated a moment. “Um…thanks.”
The man nodded. “It it fine. Today you will meet some of the more important people and we’ll go from there.”
“That sounds…exhilarating.”
“It’s not, but you need to be able to recognize everyone, their significance, and how they can help you in the long run if you’re going to fit in here and become a part of our family.” Solomon sat and gave Mathieu a quick glance.
Mathieu sat as well with a sigh and turned his head, meeting the man’s gaze steadily. “I want to belong here, you know. You’re people are like me….or maybe I’m like you…”
“You’re like some of us. Others of us, not so much. But collectively we want you to be here with us. We’re surprisingly accepting…” The blond shrugged.
“Surprisingly.” Mathieu agreed. “How do you guys get along so well? I mean you guys are all so different.”
Solomon smirked at him. “We all need each other is why; even you and I. I need your desire for revenge to fuel Nathan, and I will be very critical to you. Elise says so, anyway.”
“Elise says so?” He said slowly, almost disbelieving.
“Yep, she’s a seer.”
“Er…?”
The blond sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Seriously? Eight year olds know more than you. A seer is someone who can glance into the future. They can’t control what they see, how far forward they view, or what the significance of it is, but what they see always comes to be.”
“Wow. It must be hard to live like that. Randomly getting visions I mean.” Mathieu