"Tor..." Hawke said, catching my shoulder to pull me back. "She doesn't know everything."
"And that's my fucking point!" Torian said. "She keeps shoving her nose into things that are none of her business, pulling me and Aspen apart, and making us all feel like we have to pick sides!"
"Or you are," Wilder said.
Torian closed his eyes and pushed out a tense breath. "I did not tell you to pick a side."
"Kinda are," I countered. "Torian, we won! We pushed back the Hunt. We found the sign, so when they come back, it won't be just because of her, or Winter, or whatever the fuck Harper did."
"But they will!" he yelled. "You stupid human! They will come for her again because theyknowshe'shere!They're the Wild Hunt - and you don't even get what that means. You think it's like a bad day, but they're so much more. The Hunt is cursed to never stop. They do not rest, do not give up, and do nothing except chase the ones the crown hasalready convicted."
"Yeah, all the fae on Earth," I shot back, proving I knew that much. "Sononeof you are safe. Got it. Kinda been dealing with it. The part I don'tunderstand is why you're so fucking freaked out about everything Aspen wants to do!"
"He said Torian wasn't on his list," Keir pointed out. "So notallthe fae on Earth."
"Butsheis on his list!" Torian snarled. "Aspenison his list, and you are so fucking ineffective, Rain, that you drained four of the strongest fae at Silver Oaks, and were still looking for more to use. You throw magic around in the dumbest fucking ways, leaving us nothing to protect ourselves. And you? Do youreallythink you're that important, Rainle Fae?Are you so strong, or powerful, or capable that you can stop an unstoppable force?"
"I've stopped them so far!"
"You simply haven't died yet!"
Which was when Aspen shoved between us. "No. You will not take this out on her. Your fight is with me, Torian, and you're just pissed because for once in my life, I want to make myowndecisions. Believe it or not, this isn't about you, or her, or anyone here. This is about me deciding what I can live with, ok?" She squealed in the back of her throat, clearly frustrated. "I am not second to you! I am not your shadow, the main character, or any other bullshit line like that! I am a person, ok? All I want to be is myownperson, so just leave me the fuck alone!"
"Aspen," Torian breathed.
"Lay off, Tor," Wilder warned. "You're out of line."
"And you, of all people, know why this is important," Torian told him.
Wilder shrugged. "I also know why giving her space is just as important."
But Torian thrust out an arm at me. "She's the one doing this. She's tearing us apart because she doesn't have a fucking clue what's really going on."
"Then tell me!" I yelled.
"I can't!"
So I flapped my arms at my side. "But it's my fault, right? God forbid I try to respect Aspen's decisions, or wants, or even needs. You? You just walk all over her."
Torian made a noise like he wanted to rip my head off, and stormed closer. Keir moved to my side. Hawke lifted a hand, looking like he was begging Torian not to do this. Wilder moved around to check on Aspen, but Torian shoved right into my face.
Those eyes of his looked almost putrid in their color, and they were filled with so much anger. "You are here to find balance, Rain. Not to ruineverything. So you know, you're a shit Morrigan. History will remember you as a failure."
"Back. Off," Keir warned.
Torian just huffed. "Yeah. I see how it is."
"You kissed me," Keir said. "And just so you can't twist that around later? Yeah, I liked it, and yeah, Rain said I should do it again." He shifted so his shoulder was in front of me, blocking Torian from doing anything stupid. "And I don't care where you come from, people apologize when they fuck up, so we will be waiting. And while you're at it, grow the fuck up."
Torian looked back at Aspen. "Is that your problem, Aspen? You don't want to grow up? You want to be a child forever? Well, guess what? Even kids get destroyed if they aren't careful!"
"Do not threaten her!" I snapped, shoving him back. "Be pissed at me. Yell at Keir. We don't care, but Aspen didn't ask for this shit. We were trying to have a good day and you ruined it, Torian. So you know, we can't all be frantic all the time. We can't all be happiest when we're brooding and pissed off. We aren't you, and we don't want to be like you. We want to live, and love, and fight this shit because life is fucking worth living!"
"Tor, it's time to go," Hawke said.
Torian gave him a look of surprise. "Don't tell me you agree with them too?"
"I don't think they're wrong," Hawke said. "I don't think you are either, but this? It's not helping."
