Free Illusions by Aprilynne Pike Page B

it.”
    â€œIt’s fine,” Tamani mumbled. “I need to be reminded of my place now and again.”
    â€œTamani, no,” Laurel said. “Not with me. I can’t change the way the rest of Avalon treats you—not yet, anyway. But with me, you are never just a Spring faerie,” she said, touching his arm.
    He looked up at her, but only for a second before his eyes focused on the ground again, a deep crease between his eyebrows.
    â€œTam, what? What’s wrong?”
    He met her eyes. “The Spring faerie down there, she didn’t know what I was. She just knew I was with you and I guess she assumed I was a Mixer too.” He hesitated. “She bowed to me, Laurel. Bowing is what I do. It was weird. I—I kinda liked it,” he admitted. He continued on, his confession spilling out with gathering momentum. “For just those few seconds, I wasn’t a Spring faerie. She didn’t look at a sentry uniform and immediately put me in my place. It—it felt good. And bad,” he tacked on. “All at the same time. It felt like—” His words were cut off by a soft knock at the door.
    Disappointment flooded through Laurel as their conversation was cut short. “That’ll be Yeardley,” she said softly. Tamani nodded and took his place against the wall.
    Laurel opened the door and was assaulted by a mass of pink silk. “I thought I heard you!” Katya squealed, throwing her arms around Laurel’s neck. “And I could hardly believe it. You didn’t tell me you were coming back so soon.”
    â€œI didn’t know myself,” Laurel said, grinning. It was impossible not to smile around Katya. She was wearing a silky, sleeveless nightgown, its back cut low to accommodate the blossom Katya would have in another month or so. She had grown her blond hair down to her shoulders, which made her look even younger.
    â€œEither way, I’m glad you’re here. How long can you stay?”
    Laurel smiled apologetically. “Just a few minutes, I’m afraid. Yeardley is on his way up, and once I’m done speaking with him I need to get back to the gate.”
    â€œBut it’s dark,” Katya protested. “You should at least stay the night.”
    â€œIt’s still afternoon in California,” Laurel said. “I really do need to get home.”
    Katya grinned playfully. “I guess if you must.” She looked at Tamani, her eyes a touch flirtatious. “Who’s your friend?”
    Laurel reached out to touch Tamani’s shoulder, prompting him to step forward a little. “This is Tamani.”
    To Laurel’s dismay, Tamani immediately dropped into a respectful bow.
    â€œOh,” Katya said, realization dawning on her. “Your soldier friend from Samhain, right?”
    â€œSentry,” Laurel corrected.
    â€œYes, that,” Katya said dismissively. She grabbed both of Laurel’s hands and didn’t give Tamani another look. “Now come over here and tell me what in the world you are wearing.”
    Laurel laughed and allowed Katya to feel the stiff fabric of her denim skirt, but she shot Tamani an apologetic grimace. Not that it mattered; he was back to standing against the wall and averting his eyes.
    Katya flounced down on the bed, the silken folds of her nightgown tracing her graceful curves, its low back revealing so much perfect skin. It made Laurel feel plain in her cotton tank top and skirt, and inspired a fleeting wish that she hadn’t brought Tamani upstairs. But she brushed the thought aside and joined her friend. Katya prattled on about inconsequential things that had happened in the Academy since Laurel’s departure only last month, and Laurel smiled. Just over a year ago, she wouldn’t have believed that the daunting, unfamiliar Academy was somewhere she might laugh and talk with a friend. But then, she had felt the same way about public school the year