Free Dear Rival by Robin White Page B

dragon knights, especially Kero, due to their close relation with humans, Kero wondered if  there was more to the animosity than Valtiel's just pride.
    He pulled himself out of his thoughts to glance to the side before stretching out in the grass, completely at ease. Kero's shirt slipped up, exposing his skin to the cool air and the warm sun. He was aware of Etoille's gaze raking over his toned abdomen and sculpted chest, could see in Etoille's the desire to reach out to touch, perhaps test the firmness of skin.  But he couldn't help wishing for it to be another's eyes that gazed upon him so, for it to be another's hand that caressed him. Kero pushed the thought away with a sigh. One day, perhaps, he would find out what that hand felt like pressed against him. There was no point dwelling on it until then.
    *~*~*
    A little away from the trees, in a sandy hollow close to the fortress, Valtiel was sparring with another frost elf. He was attempting to calm down with the fight, to forget about the anger  pent up inside of him. Avalon, also a close friend of Etoille, couldn't quite ignore the hissed curses from Valtiel's side, though.
    Unlike the dragon knights, who all seemed to bear some scars, many of them huge scars that crossed their entire bodies, marking their bronze skin with cold, white streaks, elves preferred their skin unblemished and smooth. It was another reason they looked down on humans:  scars riddling their skin was proof they had been foolish in battle. At least, in the eyes of evles.
    Valtiel found himself reluctantly forgiving the dragon knights their penchant for scars, however.
    With his thoughts straying toward Kero, he was not properly focusing on the fight with Avalon, and after knocking him to the ground once again, Avalon broke away, shaking his head. "You are distracted. It doesn't make sense to continue to practice."
    Valtiel huffed but didn't argue, sitting up and averting his gaze. He knew Avalon was right and that annoyed him. Etoille's stupid meddling was to blame for it, of that he was sure. And Kero, somehow this was also Kero's fault.
    Sitting down next to Valtiel, Avalon gave him a long look. "Tell me what's bothering you.?"
    Valtiel grumbled low, not wanting to discuss the matter. He knew Avalon, however, and Valtiel was sure he would be as persistent as Etoille, so he eventually gave in to Avalon's silent, unwavering stare. "It's Etoille. He wants me to befriend Kero."
    Avalon chuckled quietly at that, nudging Valtiel lightly. "They are our allies," he pointed out.
    Valtiel hissed in exasperation, shooting Avalon a warning look. Avalon merely laughed. "It's not funny. You know I don't like the dragon knights."
    Avalon shook his head, amused. "That's an understatement. Be honest, you hate them."
    Turning his head away, Valtiel did not bother to contradict Avalon. Of course he despised the dragon knights. Whether they were allies or not, they were too human to be considered equals. Valtiel could feel his conviction waver as his thoughts drifted to Kero, but he shoved them away before they could take full hold in his mind.
    Avalon left him to his thoughts, which Valtiel appreciated. He needed to calm down before he could join the other elves once more, else everyone would bother him with the same questions over and over again. It was no secret that the tension between him and Kero was especially prominent. He didn't know why, but something about Kero made his control slip, and that was something Valtiel despised even more than the fact that Kero was human.
    At any given time or place, Valtiel could be counted on to be composed and cool, every inch a respectable elf and warrior. But when Valtiel had met Kero, something had changed. He couldn't tell what it was, but for some reason, he couldn't master his emotions as he had before, particularly his temper, and that meant something. Frost elves were known to be cold and distant towards strangers and allies alike. Allowing Kero to aggravate him