Greeve stood with his tattooed back to us, staring at the tree line. Of course he had heard us, but he kept his distance. His long black hair was tied back with strips of leather, and if any of the southerners felt dangerous, it was him. You could tell by looking at him and his long, curved sword that he was serious. Especially as a constant breeze followed him. Obeyed him.
There was something familiar about him, and as I thought about it, I realized he shared similar traits with Fenlas. With his broad chest and tall frame, they could have been brothers. But Fen had those emerald eyes. Those beautiful, haunting eyes that would not leave me.
“Why do you and Greeve look so similar?” I asked, rolling back over to face Fen.
“He is draconian, and my mother was as well.”
I thought back to the picture I’d found in his room of him and his parents. “My mother died too,” I said, forgetting who I was talking to.
“I know she did, Ara, and I’m so sorry.” His face was inches from my own, and the sincerity in his voice was shocking. Maybe somewhere in there, buried way at the bottom of his angry soul, was a single drop of kindness.
Something small sparked within me, like a bated breath, a lingering moment of desire.
I rolled back over and closed my eyes. I didn’t sleep at all that night. I refused to consider him as anything but an asshole. My mother had told me not to trust anyone, and as far as I was concerned, that included him and his lackeys. Wren was okay, but still, what did I really know about any of them?
We traveled for several long days attached by that damn chain. My overwhelming hatred had faded to bored disdain, and though I caught him staring at me from time to time or found myself lost in thoughts of him, I still held him at a distance. As far as I could, anyway. He’d tug on me and I’d pull on him, and overall, whatever Aibell’s purpose was, the only thing it had done was teach me how to do everything with one hand.
“Would you just stop for a minute?” he asked me one day as we followed Kai through the endless mass of trees and foliage.
“They’ll get too far ahead,” I grumbled.
“They won’t. Look at me.” He planted his feet and yanked me backward.
“Ow,” I said, pulling back on the heavy chain.
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to hurt you.”
“Rule one of not trying to hurt someone, don’t fucking yank them around like a rag doll, Prince.”
“You are so gods-damn maddening. What do you want me to do? I’ve apologized. I’ve tried talking to you. I’ve tried to help you. I’ve given you space.”
“Ha!” I snapped. “How are we supposed to have space like this?”
“I think if you would just get over your anger, the chain would go away. If you could let it go, Ara.”
“Let it go? So, you get to treat me however the fuck you want for however long you want, and the moment you’re over it, I have to be too? I don’t get to feel angry because you’ve decided I shouldn’t?”
“No, I’m not—” He turned and stomped the ground, clearly frustrated. “I’m not trying to tell you not to have feelings, I’m asking you to calm down. How can you walk around so pissed off all the time and not age a thousand years? I’m sorry I was an asshole and didn’t handle everything the way I was supposed to. None of this came with directions.”
“If you would be kind to me, you would probably get the outcome you’re asking for.”
“I’ve been nothing but kind to you from the moment the handcuffs went on,” he seethed, leaning in to bark in my face.
“You just...” I paused. He was right. I’d been the asshole. But he deserved it, and I wouldn’t apologize for it. “Fine. I’ll stop yelling at you. But that’s the best you get. I still want to murder you in your sleep, Prince.”
“Ah, the budding sounds of friendship,” Kai hollered from the front of the line.
“Shut it, Kai,” Wren said.
The tensions in the group were high, and I was the reason. They all leaned on Fen for leadership and support, and I could tell they genuinely respected him. But as we traveled and the two of us bickered, that negativity had poisoned the group. The first day, they all smiled and laughed and joked as we moved. Now they were quiet as everyone was on edge.
“You realize they’re here by choice, right? I never asked any of them to come north with me.”
“I’m sure it’s been a lovely vacation.” I bit back my grin. For the first time in days, he shared that adoring smile with me, and, distracted, I stumbled over a rock. He reached out to grab my arm, keeping me from falling. “Thanks.”
He jerked up, held out a hand, then brought his fingers to his lips. He pointed to the side and then to his ear. I listened carefully, and sure enough, two heavy sets of footsteps crept toward us. The rest of the team halted, and like perfect stealthy warriors, they faded into the trees nearly unseen. I pulled a dagger and loosely held it in my steady hand. My favorite.
“I will handle it,” he whispered.
