Mathieu (White Flame Trilogy) - By Paula Flumerfelt Page 0,75

done. I like both, but for different reasons.” Freedom. That was the word his mind whispered to him whenever he thought about the differences, which he did often. It was easy to talk to these people, he noticed. After all, he was saying more than he normally would have on the topic.

They were all looking at him curiously. “Everything was planned? As in, you don’t get to decide where you go, or what you do?” Avanon gave him a look, nose wrinkled. It seemed that lifestyle didn’t appeal to her.

“Eh. Pretty much.”

“So if you wanted to go for a walk, you couldn’t just get up, go outside and walk?”

“Not unless it was my free time. If I wasn’t guarding Avian, I’d get an earful. Luckily, she was quite the rebel and tended to want to go on whirlwind adventures. She was an amazing person.”

“Well,” Solomon said, “I can’t promise any whirlwind adventures, but I do know that you’ll be allowed your freedom. You can come and go as you please, as well as make your own decisions. If you want to do something, or don’t want to, then just say so. We’ll respect that.”

“You guys will provide all the adventure I need when we take down the Unithian government. But the freedom is appreciated.” Mathieu said, yawning. He wasn’t tired per say, just relaxed for once. It’d been a while, to be honest.

“On a happier note, how are his fighting skills? Up to par?” Darcia gave his blond counterpart a look.

And as if Mathieu wasn’t even there, they began to talk about him. “Not exactly, but once we aren’t using broad swords to train with, I think that his ability will expand rapidly. I think they just might be too cumbersome for someone so small like him. But, I’ll try to bribe Lenore at dinner tonight to cast him a weapon tomorrow. Can I count on you to help me train him if she makes a sword?”

“Always, General. Your bidding is my bidding.” Darcia said, bowing even though he was sitting.

“General…” Mathieu rolled the word over his tongue for a moment. “Nope, just don’t see it.” Mathieu grinned broadly, sticking his tongue out.

Kiev’s face matched his. “Me neither! I serve him, but I can’t seem to see him the sense of my General.”

“He’s more of a…hm…what’s the word…let me think…” Mathieu’s fist met his palm. “That’s it. A sibling. Solomon acts like a big brother.”

“Humph. And how do you figure this?” Solomon’s eye twitched when Avanon nodded in agreement to Mathieu’s assessment.

“Simple. You’re annoyingly persistent, don’t let people wallow, train us with high expectations,” Mathieu said, counting the traits off on his fingers. “You’re just like a brother should be. You’re also kind of passive-aggressive, unnecessarily rude, and a bit dodgy.”

“…Dodgy?”

“Dodgy.” Mathieu concurred.

The blond gave the group at large a flat look before he shrugged. “I can accept most of that answer. So as the ‘big brother’, I declare that it’s getting late and we should all head back. Nathan will return soon and I don’t want to put him into a bad mood unless necessary.”

“Slave driver.” Avanon mumbled as she got to her feet and took her weapon back to its cabinet. Kiev followed suit and soon the group was assembled.

Darcia tapped his foot. “Solomon, you can’t move this many of us, can you? I mean we could go on foot, but it’s a long run and I bet dinner isn’t even started.”

Shaking his head, Solomon looked around. “No, you’re right. Teleporting will be faster. I can probably take the girls together, then you, Darcia. I’ll bring Mathieu through last. Sound good?”

“Like a plan.” They agreed.

Kiev stepped up to Solomon and took his hand, waiting patiently as Avanon took his other hand and darkness wrapped up around them, leaving Darcia and Mathieu alone together.

“Er…” Alone, Mathieu found the raven to be surprisingly creepy.

Darcia crossed his arms. “Listen, we don’t have much time. You seem nice, but you better listen well when I tell you that if you hurt Solomon, I won’t hesitate to tear you apart. He’s something like my brother and my son, and I’ve watched him be alone for many years. I don’t care what comes to fruition between you two, but I’d recommend that you think about whatever you decide to do. Don’t make me have to repeat this conversation.”

Solomon reappeared at that moment and smiled at them. “Okay, children. Come here, Darcia. Your turn.”

Darcia took the other’s hand, giving Mathieu one last look, and they