I am just as lost as Grixis.
More so.
“Ramsey?” calls a voice, and I turn to see Amber.
“What do you want?” I growl, wishing she would go away.
“To let you know I appreciate what you did out there for me.” She takes three steps closer, tilts her head to the side, and licks her lips. “For bringing me back alive.”
“It was at Elena’s behest, for if it were up to me, you would have been left to wander.”
She sighs, rolling her eyes. “I understand I haven’t always been the easiest to deal with. It’s because I was born to lead, and yet I’m forced to follow someone who is less than capable.”
“You think more highly of yourself than you should.”
“Of course you would say that.” I mislike the wry grin that forms on her lips.
“Is there something you need?”
“Just to say that I know out there, in the wild, we didn’t always get along well, and I might have said and done things I regret. But I’m strong, just as you are.”
Do I tell her she is a fool?
I settle on, “Why would you think I care?”
“I guess I’ll have to spell it out then.”
“I understand lesser tongue with no need to spell.”
“It’s a saying.”
Annoyed, I bark, “Just speak plainly.”
“We could be good together, Ramsey. Better than good. We can be strong.”
Could she really think that after her grumbles through the forest? Of her erratic, lofty demands?
“The thought of spending another moment with you is exhausting.”
She crosses her arms over her chest. “Forget the woods. I was under duress, and we shouldn’t let a little temper flare get in the way of what we could be together.”
“Miserable?”
“No, powerful.”
I turn and walk away, shaking my head, but she follows, like an annoying little flitterbug.
“I know Grixis is making you share your hut with Asha.”
“That does not concern you.”
“You’re right, but if you coupled with me, she’d have to move.”
“But her weaves?—”
“They don’t care about her weaves. They never have. We have furs and leather, and yet she is making blanket after blanket, and clothes that are unnecessary. All they care about is that it looks like you’ve resigned yourself to allowing the weakest of us into your hut. And for what reason but to make me look compliant?”
I stop to mull over her words.
