Chapter 15 #4
“Proud or absolutely terrified,” I muttered with a dry laugh. “If she were here, she never would’ve let me join the war quadrant. I’d be tucked safely away in the healer’s academy, learning how to mend broken bones instead of collecting them.”
“Maybe,” he murmured. “But proud all the same.” He kissed the crown of my head, and warmth bloomed in my chest. Maybe not fire, but something quieter.
Something safe. I tilted my head up slightly, and his lips brushed mine, soft and hesitant.
He pressed a firmer kiss to my mouth. I let myself melt into it, letting his touch distract me from everything else.
From the mark on my side. From Aiden. From this stupid bond.
But just as quickly as the kiss deepened, the world shifted.
And I was standing in golden fields again.
“What are you doing?” Hemera asked, arms crossed as she stared at me. Since she looked like me, it made her raised brow even more uncomfortable. Like my mirror image was about to scold me.
“Nothing,” I replied quickly, straightening my stance. “So… did you find anything out about the mark Aiden left on me?”
“Yes. But were you just kissing someone?”
“What? No!” I answered way too fast, shifting awkwardly and fidgeting with my fingers.
Hemera’s gaze narrowed. “Rynlee…”
“I wasn’t kissing Aiden, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
She leaned in, curious now. “Then who?”
I sighed. “Alaric.”
Her jaw dropped. “What are you dating him now?”
“…Yes,” I whispered, eyes on the ground.
“WHAT?”
I winced. “Gods, Hemera, can you not scream? I’m already emotionally bruised.”
“I cannot believe this,” Hemera snapped, pacing in a tight circle, sunlight flaring faintly at her edges. “You do realize the entire balance of this world hinges on you and Aiden, right?”
“We don’t have to fall in love,” I shot back. “We only have to work together.”
“That’s not how it works!”
“I don’t like him, Hemera!” I exploded, the words ripping out of me before I could stop them. “I never have. He bullied me growing up. Always pushing. Always picking. And he hates me for some unknown reason.”
“Boys bully girls when they’re younger, Rynlee,” she said carefully. “It’s not uncommon.”
“You don’t understand,” I snapped. “It wasn’t just normal bullying, okay? He made my life hell when our parents weren’t around. All because of this hatred he has toward me.”
Hemera stilled. “Have you ever asked him why he hates you?”
The question knocked the wind out of me.
I sighed and dropped onto the bench, scrubbing a hand over my face.
“No,” I admitted quietly. “I was going to last night, but I knew it would probably just end in a fight, so I bit my tongue.” I leaned back against the cool stone.
“Besides… he’s with Jasmine, Hemera. And I’m with Alaric. That has to be enough for now.”
She stepped closer, resting her hands gently on my arms. “I understand, Rynlee. But the more you both resist this bond, the tighter it will pull, until it snaps. And when it does, neither of you will be able to hold back.” Her voice softened.
“Maybe you should ask him why he hates you.” Her gaze drifted, settling on the bandage at my neck. “What’s this?”
“Oh, that? Some creep bit me during training. Total freak. Probably collects skulls for fun.”
“You couldn’t heal it?”
“No. My power didn’t work on it. But my aunt’s salve is helping.” I shrugged, trying to downplay the unease twisting in my gut.
But Hemera’s expression turned grave. “I have to go.”
“Wait, what does the rose mean?” I called after her. But the realm was already dissolving, and when I blinked again, I was lying in the infirmary. I was starting to get real annoyed with her disappearing acts.
Alaric’s face swam into view. “Oh, thank the gods,” he breathed, cupping my hand tightly in his. “You fainted in the courtyard, you weren’t waking up and you started speaking in… fluent Greek.”
My eyes widened. “Wait, what?”
“Yeah. Full-on ancient Greek. It was kind of terrifying.” So apparently when I go to the sun realm I now speak and know fluent Greek… interesting.
“I’m okay.”
“Well, I brought you straight here, anyway, just to be sure,” he said gently.
“Thanks,” I mumbled, guilt gnawing at me. I hadn’t told him the truth, I’d been speaking to the Sun Goddess. But somehow, that felt like something I needed to keep to myself. Especially since Professor Quinnell made it sound un-heard of and even Firebeard didn’t speak to Ares.
Aunt Mira suddenly loomed at the foot of the bed. “Whoa there, lady. You’re staying overnight.”
“Aunt Mira, I’m fine—”
“You fainted and you’re covered in bruises. You’re staying. End of discussion.”
I pouted. “Fine.”
She nodded and walked off. Alaric leaned down and pressed a soft kiss on my forehead. “See you tomorrow, Ryn.”
“See you,” I whispered, watching him go. But as the door closed behind him, my chest ached in a way I didn’t understand. I wasn’t cold. I was empty. And I couldn’t shake the feeling that no matter how close Alaric was, some part of me would always be tethered to Aiden.