“Of course we are,” Yamileth chastised him. “Do you wish to miss it?”
I bit back a snicker, following close behind them. While eavesdropping on a private moment felt a little wrong, I couldn’t resist going along. I wanted it to work out for Saneth. In the past few days of talking to each other, he’d proved himself to be a nice guy. Head over heels for Tavik, which made him a little rash in how he acted, but he did apologize for the way he treated me. I liked him a lot, and I hoped he would find his happy ending.
We heard the conversation before we saw them. At least we heard Tavik while he ranted. I wasn’t sure if Saneth had even gotten a word in edgewise with the way Tavik was going off, and when we peeked around the nearest tent, Tavik was pacing and throwing his hands up to emphasize himself.
“I mean, what does he see in that casak? I am a warrior for the clan!”
Tuning out his ranting words, I murmured to Finn, “What does casak mean?”
He winced. “It’s a not nice term for outsider.”
I tried not to roll my eyes. Tavik was focusing on something I knew in my soul that Verus didn't care about. He didn’t care that I was from one of the towns. Most of the clan didn’t. Tributes were from the towns. They’d lose their way of life if they didn’t invite outsiders in.
“Tavik,” Saneth called out, trying to interrupt him. Tavik wasn’t listening, still ranting.
“He is making a mistake! Once he makes the bond, he will be stuck! I need to convince him before he ruins everything!”
“Tavik!” Saneth tried again. I watched in wide-eyed fascination as calm Saneth lost his temper, stepping in front of Tavik and shoving his shoulder hard. “Let him go! He has no interest in you! You are blind to not see it! You are blind to everything!”
Tavik looked stunned, taking a step back from his friend. “Saneth?”
Saneth shook his head roughly, glaring up at Tavik. “Your obsession with him is pathetic. He has never been interested, and you have wanted him for years.”
That probably wasn’t the way he wanted to start this conversation. I wished I could step in to stop him. The alcohol was probably loosening his tongue quite a bit, but if I came out of hiding, I would only draw Tavik’s attention and start his rant all over again. At least now, Saneth had his attention with his harsh words.
“I am not blind,” Tavik said defensively.
“You are,” Saneth growled. “I have been in front of you, loving you, for years, and you do not notice. You are too obsessed with what you cannot have.” Huffing out a derisive laugh, he shook his head. “I am no better for obsessing over you. Nolonger, Tavik. If you cannot let him go, then I cannot stand by you anymore. He has chosen another. Have honor and accept it.”
Twenty-Five
Isucked in a breath as Saneth turned on his heel to storm off, worried Tavik would let him, but was relieved when Tavik lurched forward, grabbing Saneth’s arm.
“What are you talking about? You love me?”
I wasn’t sure if it was my own hopeless romantic ideas that made me think Tavik sounded hopeful. I was glued to the confrontation, hanging on their every word as Saneth bared his soul to the man he loved.
“I have loved you every day since we were seventeen. I have pined for you, wished for you to notice me. You never did. I understand I am nowhere as pretty as Verus or any of the others you chased since you came of age. But I still hoped you would notice me anyway.”
Tavik looked blown away by the confession, his eyes wide. “I did not know…”
“And now that you do?” Saneth demanded, lifting his chin and facing Tavik head on. “Does it change anything?”
I felt my breath catch in my throat as I waited for Tavik to respond. Finn grasped my hand tightly, watching just as avidly as I was. I pleaded in my head for Tavik to say something, but as the silence stretched on, I could see the hope die in Saneth’seyes. He gently pushed Tavik’s hand off his arm, taking another step back.
“It’s okay. I understand. I’m sorry.”
My heart broke for him as he turned again to walk away. I was going to leave, go back to the cooking tent so I could be there if Saneth came to talk, but Finn’s grip tightened on my hand, and I turned around just in time to watch Tavik lunge forward, spinning Saneth around and capturing his lips in a passionate kiss.
Finn let out a little squeak, practically bouncing with joy. Yamileth looked smug on my other side, winking at me when I raised my eyebrow at her. A part of me wanted to cheer for them both. I was grateful that I held Finn’s hand and my cane to keep myself from doing something so embarrassing. But still, it felt like something to celebrate.
“Woah. Maybe we should give them privacy,” Finn murmured, his face flushing bright red.
I swung around to look at the couple again. My mouth fell open as Tavik pulled one of Saneth’s legs around his hip, grinding against him. Yep, now was a good time to leave.
Yamileth batted my hand when I tried to pull her away. It took both me and Finn to make her move, and she complained the minute we were out of sight of the couple.
“It was just getting to the good part! If they wanted privacy, they would move to a tent!”
