Chapter 21:

It had been nearly a month since I started practicing Mithridatism with Mr. Edwin. At first, the idea of deliberately exposing myself to a poison had been terrifying. But with his guidance, the process had been slow and controlled. I was beginning to feel stronger, more resilient—not just physically, but mentally too.

"You're doing well, Sage," Mr. Edwin said, setting down a small vial of diluted physostigmine. "Most people would have given up by now, but you've pushed through."

I smiled faintly, wiping the sweat from my brow. The sessions were grueling, each dose leaving me feeling drained and dizzy, but I was adapting. "I don't have a choice, do I? If I want to save Smokey—and Xenos—I need to keep going."

He nodded, his expression solemn. "Exactly. Remember, this is about building your immunity, but also your endurance. The flower will test more than your body—it'll test your mind."

I didn't fully understand what he meant, but I didn't ask. There were too many questions already swirling in my head, and I didn't want to add another.

The door to the practice room creaked open, and Alohi peeked inside, her face lighting up when she spotted me. "Still alive, I see!" she teased, stepping in with a bag of pastries. "Thought you might need a reward for not keeling over today."

I rolled my eyes, though a smile tugged at my lips. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, Alohi."

"Always here to motivate," she quipped, plopping onto a nearby chair and taking a bite of a croissant. "So, when do you think you'll be ready to sniff that deadly flower without dropping like a sack of potatoes?"

"Hopefully soon," I said, though the thought still made my stomach twist. 

Alohi gave me a thumbs-up with her free hand, her mouth full of pastry. "Well, you've got this, Sage. And if not, I'll make sure your tombstone says something inspiring, like 'She Sniffed Her Way to Glory.'"

Mr. Edwin sighed, muttering something about Alohi's "unorthodox encouragement," but I couldn't help but laugh. Even in the chaos, she always managed to lighten the mood.

After the session with Mr. Edwin, I made my way back to the tavern, the crisp evening air cooling my flushed cheeks. Aurora flitted by my side, humming softly, as if sensing my exhaustion. When I stepped inside, the warm glow of the fireplace greeted me, along with the unmistakable aroma of something delicious.

Xenos stood in the kitchen, his back to me, carefully plating what looked like a familiar dish. I blinked, recognizing the smell immediately.

"Is that…?" I started, stepping closer.

He turned slightly, his expression calm as always, though there was a faint glimmer in his eyes. "Roasted herb chicken with honey-glazed vegetables," he said flatly. "I figured you'd need something decent after whatever hell Edwin put you through."

A warmth spread through me, a mixture of surprise and gratitude. He rarely showed his kindness openly, but moments like these spoke louder than words. "It's my favorite," I murmured, feeling a smile tug at my lips despite my exhaustion.

"Don't read too much into it," he said quickly, setting the plates on the table. "You've been looking pale lately. It's just practical."

"Practical," I repeated with a smirk, sitting down at the table. "Sure, let's go with that."

Alohi walked in just as I was about to dig in, her hair slightly frazzled and her bag slung lazily over one shoulder. She took one look at the setup and raised an eyebrow.

"Wow, Xenos, going all out, huh? Next thing we know, you'll be bringing her flowers," she teased, plopping into a chair.

Xenos shot her a look that could have frozen water, but I noticed the faintest flush creeping up his neck.

"Eat before it gets cold," he grumbled, ignoring her entirely.

Alohi winked at me, clearly enjoying his discomfort, but for once, I let it slide. As I took my first bite, the flavors melted on my tongue, reminding me of the rare comfort of home.

"Thank you," I said softly, glancing at him.

He didn't respond, but I caught the faintest twitch of a smile as he busied himself clearing the counter. Alohi, of course, couldn't resist muttering something about "domestic bliss," but for once, I didn't mind. The moment felt…nice, even if none of us would admit it outright.

After dinner, I hurried upstairs, my mind buzzing with thoughts of my progress and what lay ahead. I opened my school bag, carefully extracting a few Brugmansia flowers Aurora had helped me collect. Setting them on my windowsill, I arranged them to dry, their delicate petals catching the dim moonlight.

Satisfied with my handiwork, I brushed my hands off and decided to head back downstairs. I had planned to grab a book from the shelf in the living room, but as I descended the staircase, hushed voices caught my attention.

"…it's dangerous, Alohi," Xenos was saying, his voice low but edged with frustration. "This isn't something she should be doing. Mithridatism is extreme—even for her. There has to be another way."

"And what other way is there?" Alohi countered, her tone sharp. "She's the chosen one, Xenos. You can't keep coddling her forever. If this is what it takes to prepare her, then so be it."

I paused at the bottom step, my curiosity outweighing my better judgment.

"She's still young—"

"She's grown up," Alohi interrupted, her voice softening. "She's growing into her role, whether you like it or not. You can't protect her from everything."

I leaned a little closer, trying to make out more. Suddenly, a surge of energy wrapped around me like an invisible lasso, yanking me forward. I let out a startled yelp as I was pulled into the living room, landing unceremoniously on the rug.

"Next time you want to spy on someone," Xenos said, arms crossed, his expression unreadable but clearly amused, "try doing it better."

Alohi burst out laughing, leaning back on the couch. "Oh, this is gold. You're losing your touch, Sage."

Heat flooded my cheeks as I scrambled to my feet. "I wasn't spying! I was… uh…" I faltered, searching for an excuse.

"You were eavesdropping," Xenos cut in, his eyebrow raised. "Not very discreetly, might I add."

Alohi snickered. "Caught in the act, little flower."

I glared at her but turned to Xenos. "Fine, I was listening. But if it's about me, I think I have the right to know."

Xenos sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's not that simple, Sage. Just—"

"Just what? I'm doing everything I can to prepare for what's ahead. If you have something to say about it, say it to my face," I shot back, crossing my arms.

A tense silence filled the room before Xenos finally muttered, "You're too stubborn for your own good."

"And you're too protective," I snapped, before storming back upstairs, my heart pounding from the confrontation.

I slammed the door to my room behind me, leaning against it as I tried to catch my breath. My chest heaved with anger and frustration, and tears prickled at the edges of my eyes. Why couldn't he just trust me? Why did he always have to make everything so difficult?

A soft knock came from the door.

"Sage," Xenos called, his voice unusually gentle. "Let me in. We need to talk."

I hesitated but stepped away, opening the door just enough to let him in. He entered quietly, his expression softer than I expected.

"I'm not here to argue," he said, holding his hands up in a gesture of peace. "I just want to talk."

I crossed my arms, standing stiffly by the window. "Then talk."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Look, I get it. You're doing everything you can to prepare, and I admire that. But Mithridatism isn't something you should take lightly. It's dangerous, Sage. One wrong dose, and…"

"And what?" I interrupted, my voice sharper than I intended. "I die? That's the risk I'm willing to take. I'm not doing this for fun, Xenos. I'm doing it because it's necessary."

His jaw tightened, and I could see the frustration bubbling beneath his calm exterior. "You think I don't know that? You think I don't see how hard you're trying?"

"Then why don't you support me?" I snapped, my voice rising. "Why do you always act like I'm some fragile thing that needs to be protected? I'm not a kid anymore, Xenos!"

"Because I can't lose you!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the room.

The words hung in the air, heavy and raw. I froze, staring at him as his chest rose and fell with the force of his emotions.

"I've already lost everything," he continued, his voice breaking. "My family, my people, my freedom—everything I've ever cared about. And now you're risking your life like it's nothing, and I can't—"

"You can't what?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"I can't watch you die too," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

The vulnerability in his tone hit me like a blow, but before I could respond, he clenched his fists and looked away.

"But you don't get it, do you?" he said, his tone shifting to something colder, sharper. "You don't understand what it's like to carry that kind of weight. You're too busy trying to prove yourself to see what it's doing to the people who care about you."

The words struck like a slap, and I felt my throat tighten. "So that's what you think of me? That I'm selfish?"

He looked at me then, regret flashing in his eyes, but it was too late. The damage was done.

I shook my head, tears spilling over. "You don't know anything about what I've been through."

"Sage—" he started, but I cut him off.

"Just go," I said, my voice cracking. "I can't do this right now."

He hesitated for a moment, his expression torn, but eventually, he turned and left, the door clicking shut behind him.

I sank onto my bed, burying my face in my hands as the tears came freely. Why did he have to say that? Why did it hurt so much?

Aurora landed softly on my shoulder, nuzzling against my cheek. "It'll be okay, Sage," she whispered.

But I wasn't so sure.