June -19th- Ishmael's story

"What the hell is he doing here?" Ishmael demanded from across the breakfast table as Lord Glade sat down with us.

Lord Glade let out a heavy sigh. His hair was unkempt. His eyes were dim. Even his face was slack. He looked exhausted.

I quickly poured coffee for him.

Then looking coldly at Ishmael, I said, "He is joining us for training."

"You asked another male to train with us?" Ishmael asked. His blue eyes were hot as they held my gaze.

I sniffed, "So what if I did? At least with him here, I don't have to worry about you and your 'casual greetings.'"

Ishmael's jaw clenched, "I wanted to train with you alone." he snarled.

"Why?" I asked coldly.

Ishmael blink in surprise, "Kane says I have to let you get to know me. Is that not the case?"

I frowned. I didn't know how to react to that. On one hand, I was irritated with Kane for assuming that I'd want to get to know Ishmael. On the other, I wouldn't do anything with them, unless I did know him better.

Turning to Lord Glade, I asked, "how did you sleep, my Lord?"

Lord Glade grimaced, "Don't talk to me until I've had my coffee."

I hid a smile as I watched him huddle around his coffee cup looking miserable and pathetic. It always amused me when non-morning people had to get up early.

"Don't just ignore me!" Ishmael snapped. He turned a baleful gaze on Lord Glade. "You- Glade, fight me! If I win, you'll go away and stop bothering us."

Lord Glade straightened on his blank, sleepy expression cleared, "Glade?" he asked coldly. "I don't remember ever saying you could be so informal with me."

Ishmael scoffed and leaned back in his chair, "quit changing the subject, Coward."

"Why would I fight you for something I don't want to do?" Lord Glade asked. "My father ordered me to come train with you at this ungodly hour. I assure you, if I could have declined, I would have."

Ishmael opened his mouth, but I cut him off, unable to stand his behavior any longer.

"Goddamnit, Ishmael!" I practically shouted, "why do you have to be like this?"

"Like what?" Ismael asked dryly.

"You're only ever forcing yourself on me you're snapping at everyone!" I retorted.

Ishmael's hands on the table fisted, "Well maybe, it's because I was looking for into alone time with you, and now I have to share you with this knife-ear." Ishmael said through gritted teeth.

My jaw worked. I was about to tell him to take his slurs and go, when he rounded on Lord Glade again.

"Wouldn't you be a bit angry and pent up if you were imprisoned and spent ten thousand years thinking you were going to die?" Ishmael asked him.

Lord Glade frowned.

"You were imprisoned for ten thousand years?" I asked some of my anger leaving me.

Ishmael nodded grimly, "My last partner and I were drugged and when we woke up we were in that room, without food or water. My partner died quickly. Then it was just me in the other creatures, but one by one they all died. We never knew who was going to be next. Each day I waited to die. For the last 500 years, I was alone. My life was slowly draining from me. With every passing day I felt myself growing weaker, but I'd actually convinced myself I was happy about that because I wouldn't have to stare at those damn walls anymore." Ishmael raked a hand through his hair and barked out a hollow laugh.

I swallowed hard I realized that Ishmael was the fire spirit from the labyrinth, "I'm sorry Ishmael." I said softly. My anger with him had all evaporated.

Ishmael smiled as if in triumph, "if you're sorry, you'll tell this tag-along to go away."

I frown at Lord Glade, then shook my head, "I can't." I admitted, "High Lord Volanti has ordered me to bring him with us and after what happened in the clearing, I- I don't trust that you won't do something like that again."

Ishmael slammed his fists into the table making the cups rattle, "All I did was kiss you! Why are you and Kane so upset about that?" he snarled.

"You scared me and did it without my permission." I said.

Ishmael grimaced at the table for a moment, "Then just give me permission already!" he ordered. "I know you want us. We-"

I glanced at Lord Glade. His eyes were once again glassy, and his jaw was slack. I turned back to Ishmael.

"I have not forgiven Kane and I do not know you. I will not, for the sake of lust, turn myself over to the family who destroyed my home and burnt my mother alive!" As I spoke my voice became harder.

Ishmael glared at me for a long moment, then glance away. We turned our attention to our food.

After a few minutes Lord Glade's chin dropped onto his chest. I reached over and lightly shook his shoulder.

Lord Glade jolted awaked and looked around alarmed. I smiled at his confusion.

The three of us finished our breakfasts and then headed to the training grounds.