(Amaia)

Alnilam seems to have shown his softer side today and let all of us enjoy this small treat of going to the bazaar (market) at night. Since both my mates are royalty, a sentinel is appointed to remain by our sides.

Alnitak and Mintaka are so easy-going that most of the time I forget they are not ordinary men but younger princes of the State of Orion.

Alnitak’s arm stays around my shoulder and neck as we stand in the academy’s transport hub. Earlier, he ate me up like his favourite candy in my bed. I am still recovering from the aftermath.

There are various types of carts, horses, and bicycles used for transportation.

"We need five," Mintaka says to the handler, showing him a written slip from Alnilam.

We are riding bicycles...

I don’t know how to ride a bicycle...

I never had one growing up; these are rare machines now, as the world is still recovering from the aftermath of the apocalypse.

Turning my head I whisper to Alnitak.

"Umm...I don’t know how to ride a bicycle." He squeezes my shoulder in reassurance.

"Don’t worry." Turning to the handler, he says, "Dan, I need a tandem bike but without the back pedals." The man nods at Alnitak.

"Right away, Master Alnitak."

"On weekends, we are going to practice, and I am going to teach you how to ride a bicycle, Lassie." He turns his head and winks at me.

Now that is going to be a dream—Alnitak teaching me how to ride a bicycle. My smile widens at his words.

"I am clumsy so you are going to have your hands full," I warn him.

"You are not clumsy... girl. The way you handle weapons, you are far from it."

Weapons and I are a different story, but anything which moves like horses, carts, bicycles is not my thing.

"I agree with Ali," Mintaka adds. I just smile at my mates.

"We should have just asked Jamina to open a portal for us," Rahria says, watching her nails. "I am in no mood to ride a bicycle."

"She is not your errand girl. She is our senior and professor now," Mintaka sharply answers her, feeling annoyed.

"She has no issues doing it for Alnilam," Rahria points out, shrugging her shoulders. She has put on a flowery red and orange sundress which actually suits her.

"She does it as part of her Enforcer duty. Her powers are unique not to be used recklessly." Mintaka narrows his eyes at her.

"Don’t start a fight, guys. We go in peace," Kacir requests in his quiet voice. Mintaka gives him a quick nod while Rahria zips her lips shut. But Alnitak had to add one last quip.

"Also Jamina and Alnilam are The Couple. She will do anything for him and the same goes for him," Alnitak chuckles, not even realising how his words burnt a hole in my chest.

Seeing them together always brings this emotional torture for me. Alnilam will never open up to me or love me the way he does Jamina. Not only is she an amazing person, but they have also known each other all their lives.

Through the best and worst.

The bikes arrive, and my attention is diverted, the pain returning to a low thump both in my heart and my thigh.

Ours is painted blue and black with a seat and pedals in front and only a seat and foot placements in the back.

"Come." Alnitak helps me climb the bicycle like a gentleman. Dan distributes helmets and Alnitak puts mine on, tying it at the side. His leather glovelettes brush against my skin.

"Safety first and remember to hold me," he instructs before putting his own and climbing onto the bicycle.

Others do the same. Taking the bar handles he adjusts it and all of us roll out.

"Hold me," he calls out from the front and I don’t need to be told twice. My arms go around his tapered waist while I press my body against his hard back. I rest my head on his back, using it as my pillow.

A relief fills that hole in my chest. The pain burns deep in my thigh but the satisfaction of being glued to him surpasses it, making me not care.

We cycle past the training grounds and on the cobblestone winding pathway to arrive at the main gates. Two sentinels posted there are standing sharp.

The sentinel behind us sends them a signal and the gates are opened for us. We hit the main road soon. This is the first time I am stepping out of Orion Academy since Alnilam brought me here. The memory does put a smile on my face.

The weather is not that warm tonight, but a warm breeze grazes past us.

Mintaka flanks us while Rahria and Kacir remain behind us.

"Race you to the bazaar. Shopping is on the loser," Mintaka calls out to his brother with a mischievous grin.

"Count me in," Kacir answers from behind.

"Me too," Rahria calls out.

"Hey! Not fair. I am not alone." Alnitak raises his right hand in protest but Mintaka is already cycling away, roaring in laughter. His long legs are effortlessly paddling hard as he stands on them, not putting any weight on the bicycle. Even Kacir and Rahria soon cross us, giggling.

I thump Alnitak’s back. "You can do it."

"Nah! It’s fine, let them win. I am enjoying having you clinging to me."

A blush covers my cheeks at his words. My eyes gaze around to take in the surroundings. It seems like this is the part of town with bunkers. After the apocalypse, for years people had taken refuge in bunkers to escape the monsters that mutilated and birthed because of the spell. Some still stayed to the day.

"Is this a bunker town?" I ask Alnitak.

"Yes, people in this part still live in the bunkers. They feel safe and seriously I don’t blame them. Even with all our defenses, they still creep in."

It makes sense, I watch gloomily as the bunker metallic tops glisten under the moonlight and wonder how long before our world will return to normal or if it ever would.