Mathieu (White Flame Trilogy) - By Paula Flumerfelt Page 0,79

sans Solomon’s voice. Mathieu didn’t realize that he could pick almost anyone’s voice out of the group.

Nathan was the only person who came out to join him, sitting across from him “Well, I see you two are getting along well again. I didn’t know you had it in you to stand up to him.”

“I’ll stand up to anyone who wants to pretend to be my friend but then says I’m annoying when he thinks I’m not around. He’s an ass and I don’t appreciate being treated that way. If he doesn’t want me to make a fool of him, he should act like a jerk.”

“Strong opinions breed arguments. Although, it can be good for a relationship if it’s done properly.” Nathan said offhandedly.

Mathieu gave the older man a long look. “If I’d known my father, I think he’d have been like you.”

Nathan smiled and looked into his bowl as he ate. “You’re a good kid. However, I came out here with an intention. I wanted to ask if you would accompany me to the Sky Pillar.”

“Sure.” Mathieu said.

“You aren’t even going to ask why?”

He shrugged. “I’m assuming you’re going to see the god you managed to capture.”

Solomon dropped into a seat beside him. “You’re stupid. You can’t capture a god. You summon and attach them.”

“To what?” Mathieu said as if Solomon were the stupid one.

“To yourself. Their loyalty is attached to your life. Other than dying, the only way for a god to get free is to be released.” The blond shrugged.

Mathieu refused to look at him and directed his gaze to Nathan. “I hear that the god is attached to a child.”

Nathan nodded. “Weirdest thing I’ve seen, but it’s true. Little boy, only nine or ten; his name’s Enak.”

Humming and finishing his food, Mathieu nudged the bowl away. “When do you wanting to go?”

“It’s a long trip and Solomon’s teleportation powers only work in my domain, so we have to ride from the main headquarters just outside the training facility; it’s right on the border of the two districts. We leave first thing in the morning, spend the night in the foothills and go through the mountains in the morning.” Nathan explained.

“I didn’t know Solomon was going…”

“Problem?” Solomon asked with a cynical chuckled.

Mathieu’s stomach twisted. “No.”

Nathan nodded, “Good.”

“…My riding skills are minimal. What are we riding?”

“Tuvashes. They’re horse hybrids.” The red-head responded.

Mathieu wrinkled his nose and huffed.

The blond bumped him lightly. “You can ride with me. I won’t let you fall.”

“Oh, this is going to be wonderful.” He said sarcastically. “I’m going to bed now.” With that, Mathieu stood and went back to the kitchen to drop off his dish before going to his shared room and into the bathroom.

He pulled out a brush and ran it through his hair before pulling it up into a bun, going back to the bed. Turning back the covers, he curled up in the bed, eyes closing.

He was in a light doze when the bed dipped beside him. Cracking an eye open, his gaze met Solomon’s.

“Hey…” The blond gave him a half smile, lying on top of the covers. It didn’t seem that Solomon planned to apologize.

“What?”

Shaking his head, emerald green eyes slid closed. “Nothing. Sleep well, okay? We’re getting up bright and early, so don’t take too long to fall asleep. If you’re tired, you’ll fall on your ass and I won’t save you.”

“Wow, my hero.” Punching the other in the arm, he closed his eyes too, turning so his back was to the blond. Mathieu was pretty good at holding a grudge.

~*~

He wasn‘t sure what woke him up, but Mathieu was up before the sun. Solomon had him pressed between the wall and his chest, and the man smelled wonderful.

“Hey, get off me!” Mathieu pushed against the chiseled chest, trying to get some space. The man didn’t move in the proper direction and actually moved closer to him, compressing him. “Moooove.” He wiggled and pushed until the man grumbled and gave an inch, just enough for Mathieu to get out from against the wall, and slide off the end of the bed. Stretching, he rolled his eyes and went into the bathroom, planning on getting the first shower of the day.

Looking around, he noticed that no one else was awake. He smiled to himself and hummed softly as he flicked the water on. A good hour later, he emerged from the bathroom, hair wrapped up in a towel.

Solomon was sitting on the bed, arms crossed. “You know, Nathan is fuming.