Trinity Awakening by K.L. Morton Page A

you?" Nina said as she sat beside Emma, who was looking at Garus with a 'what the heck' kind of look.
                  "No." Garus replied in a disappointed tone. Emma suddenly felt sorry for him. 
                  "So is there a girl you like in Taeith, Garus?" 
                  "Parisa, she's perfect." He now had a little glazed over look in his eye; Emma thought this was very cute.
                  "Does she know you exist?" 
                  "Of course, she's Aarion’s sister, and I'm his best friend, of course she knows I exist...but she would prefer if I didn't." He was now sounding very deflated.
    Nina smiled at him.
                  "Garus, I bet you are always trying to get her attention aren't you?" He nodded. "Well, that's not how to get her to notice you. You need to ignore her, don't pay her any attention at all, get on with your life and let her think you are not interested, after a while, she'll look your way." 
                  "But she is always given whatever she wants, Fae men fall at her feet, how can I compete if I ignore her?" Garus was looking confused.
                  "She's right Garus, it's the ones who have everything laid at their feet that enjoy a challenge, if you become the challenge, she will be the one coming after you." Emma was in full agreement with Nina. "And one more thing Garus, no more of that terrible flirting, you really are no good at it." Emma was smiling at Garus as she spoke, he laughed back at her.
                  "Sure, I can handle that, but I do have a reputation to uphold, so please play along with the odd wink or nudge." Emma nodded and Nina laughed with Garus.
    Trinny had not even noticed the conversation her friend Emma was having with their new acquaintances, she was to busy exploring the beauty of the forest, the moss on the trees, the bright red and blue colors of tiny beetles that were crawling under and over large leaves on nearby native plants. She was captivated by the smells that surrounded her. She picked up a tiny flower head that had fallen to the ground and took in its fragrance; it smelt like the steam on hot concrete when rain had just fallen, she smiled to herself. 
                  "A Cillith flower, they smell different to everyone, they bring a scent that makes the bearer think of a happy memory." Trinny hadn't noticed Aarion was even near her, she jumped slightly at the sound of his voice. "Sorry if I startled you." 
                  "That's fine, it's just so lovely here, and I got a bit lost in the beauty of everything. This flower is amazing." She looked up at him. "Is it time for us to go?" He looked tired, but there was just such gentleness to his eyes, she always found it so hard to pull herself away from them, stop staring Trinny, she told herself firmly. Aarion looked at her for a long moment without saying a word. Trinny felt very awkward, she looked down at the flower, not knowing if she should say something to break the silence, or maybe even walk away, maybe he had finished his conversation. Finally he spoke.
                  "You're not who I was expecting, you're so young." Trinny was taken aback, and felt a little defensive.
                  "Well who were you expecting, some all powerful gorgeous goddess type warrior who can take on anything or anyone with her amazing powers? I may not be who you were wanting, but I am here, and I'll do what's asked of me, or at least I'll try." She turned away, she was so mad at herself for reacting like that that she didn't hear Aarion try to speak to her. 
                  "I didn't mean...that."
    Trinny moved away quickly, muttering to herself about her conversation with Aarion, frustration and regret were filling her thoughts. As she stormed back toward Emma she was too preoccupied to notice a large tree root protruding from the ground. She