When they touch me (Shelagh Milano) novel Chapter 73

Chapter 73
ARTEMISIA

“Missy?” I stop biting the nail of my thumb as Astrid calls me, tearing me out of my thoughts.

“Huh?”

“Are you alright, dear?” She asks me as she leans into my line of sight.

I realise where I am, looking around me lost as I look for my files. “Yeah, yeah. Sorry. I was pensive because I was still thinking about how we were going to organise everything with the escort cars.”

“Ah, don’t worry about that. The warriors will be driving the jeeps, and I will drive the little bus with the children,” she giggles, making me smile.

“You are a superstar, Astrid,” I sigh with relief.

I’m about to get up as she holds me by my forearms, looking at me worriedly. “Are you sure that you are okay? We went through this already this morning, and you look a bit pale.”

“Sure, sure! I’m perfectly fine. Just nervous,” I lie, stepping away from her. “I’ll talk to Georgius again and see if we are ready for tomorrow. Just to be sure.”

She nods, folding her hands. “Thank you, Missy.”

“See you tomorrow then,” I say, waving at her and the few kids playing in the garden as I walk out through the gate.

Letting go of a deep breath, I start walking back home along the river. People greet me kindly as always and the chirping birds signal me that the world didn’t in fact end, even if it feels that way.

I close my eyes shortly as I think back at Cayden’s confession the day before and how I reacted in the worst possible way.

Instead of saying anything, maybe even confessing that I had feelings for him too and that I thought of kissing his luscious lips since he teased me at the lake in my old pack, I just got up and walked out of the room.

Like a fucking idiot!

I haven’t seen or talked to him since, and I even thought about having Lisa bring him my final notes before the excursion.

I’m such a lost cause.

Groaning, I concentrate on taking a deep breath as the wind blows gently through my hair, wrapping my long colourful skirt around my ankles.

I don’t even notice how my feet are killing me as I step into the warriors' training fields. “May I know where I can find Gregorious?”

“Sure,” the young warrior says, pointing to a bulky and tanned guy, who is currently talking to Fynn.

My usual luck.

Thanking him with a smile, I walk towards the two men confidently, ignoring the looks my shoes clicking on the pavement attract.

“Gentlemen,” I greet them, still smiling as I reach them.

“Missy,” Gregorius celebrates, welcoming me with wide arms while Fynn just distorts his face.

I keep my smile up, not wanting to give Fynn any satisfaction. “Would you have a moment to spare for me, Gregorius? It’s about the excursion tomorrow.”

“Sure,” his laugh rumbles over the training court, and he slaps Fynn’s arm playfully. “Let’s take a look at this boss.”

He starts walking into a little hut at the side of the training court and I turn around to talk to Fynn lowly, “You don’t have to waste your time if you have more important things to do.”

“Don’t worry. I have to supervise everything anyway, so getting it in first person is actually better.” He answers, laying his hand on the small of my back as we start walking.

I keep myself from distorting my face but fail at not getting his attention.

I forgot that he can feel my emotions.

“Are you hurt?” he asks, looking at me worriedly.

Waving dismissively, I smile at him. “Oh, no. These shoes are just killing me.”

He hums, eyeing me up as we reach the hut and he opens the door open for me. “If you want I could mind-link Logan to get you carried back to your room.”

I chuckle as I walk past him, “All this jealousy really doesn’t suit you, Master Fynn.”