Chapter 20 #2
“You’re not wrong,” he admitted with a soft huff of laughter. “There’s not really tactical instructions for...this situation. I’m sorry.”
And what situation is that, exactly? Rynna wondered. Sure, they’d had that moment, but it was just once, and it had been months ago. It was over. Or...was it?
“Sure, no problem.” She tried to brush it off.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She leaned over, bumping him playfully with her hip, then immediately realized what she’d done. “Oh, crap. Sorry!” She jumped away, embarrassed by the contact.
“It’s fine.” The deep rumble of his answering laugh doing all sorts of confusing things to her insides. “I’ve been making it awkward. But it doesn’t need to be.”
“Sure, yeah, okay,” she stammered, heat rising to her cheeks as she struggled to get her blush under control. “Not weird at all.”
It was strange being next to him like this after so much time…
“So what did you mean…before?” She looked up, glancing from his clouded eye to where his mouth sat behind the ever-present mask.
“About your blood and being lucky to get a unit?” Unsure why she’d brought it, she looked away, hugging her arms when he didn’t answer right away.
“Elara practically thinks you walk on water. And you’re obviously well regarded in the Reach. ”
That anyone could think any less of him…she nearly tripped on an uneven cobble as her heart thumped against her ribs. Why was she suddenly so angry?
“I can’t believe I showed you that.” His fingers scratched at the mask along his chin as he looked up to the darkening sky, oblivious to her stumble.
“Well, what’s the big deal?”
And who do I need to kill for making you feel like you need to hide yourself? The thought followed on its own accord, sending her gaze darting back to the ground. Anywhere but at the mismatched eyes now looking at her with curiosity.
“You truly don’t know the legends? How my ancestors supposedly turned in man-eating monsters before the tenth Ember Warden burned the taint from their blood.
” He paused, reaching for a strand of red-tipped hair.
“My parents were only able to convince the Elders to spare me after my eye clouded, because I could hold so much of the Source. They took my teeth instead of my life.” The brown threads fell from his grasp as she processed the words.
“I can’t believe I just told you that,” he added, voice low, gazed locked on the tavern ahead.
“There’s nothing wrong with you, Fenn.” It was barely more than a growl.
Stupid!
She coughed, trying to rein in her traitor heart, reaching for a voice that didn’t wobble.“And I mean that only as a very loyal, very well-behaved student.”
He stopped mid-stride. The pause was soft but absolute. His gaze dipped to her, and a flush crept over the upper edge of his mask—faint at first, then unmistakable. A breath escaped him, half a laugh, low and startled, before he cleared his throat and tried for composure.
“Of course. No dramatics from Rynna—my oddly placed, potentially Vessel-level Novice.”
“None at all.” She began walking again, leaving him to follow, studiously ignoring the butterflies taking suicide runs at the lining of her stomach.
When they arrived at the tavern, he pulled the door open for her, but just before she stepped inside, she paused. “Hey...thanks for telling me. And for giving me opportunities to work with them.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“At first, I was annoyed. Like, aren’t you supposed to be the Guide?”
Fenn’s eyes crinkled in amusement, the barest hint of a smile tugging at his lips beneath the ever-present mask.
“But then, I saw what you were doing. You know I’m skilled...uh, from our first sparring session.”
“You are more than skilled when it comes to physical martial arts, Rynna.” He dipped his head slightly in acknowledgment. “I’ve never seen some of the techniques or styles you use.” He gave her a long, thoughtful look. “Maybe one day, you’ll tell me where you learned them?”
“Telling you would require actual conversations. More than one.”
“Fair.” His eye twinkled, making her lungs seize.
“Anyway...” She cleared her throat, needing to disengage before she said something…else…stupid. “I see you’ve been giving me opportunities to mentor, and I appreciate it.”
“Hey! You guys coming in or what?” Bran’s voice cut through the moment, yelling from across the restaurant.
Fenn winced at the interruption, then waved at the boy before ushering her through the door. “You deserve it. And you’re good at it. Much more mature than I remember being at your age.”
“I doubt that, Guide Fenn.” She knew his reputation. He’d been operating as an elite Vessel by the time he was twelve. You didn’t get to that level without maturity, and if you lacked it, it was forced down your throat pretty damn fast.
“Besides,” she added, unable to stop herself as he fell in step beside her, “whoever said I was actually eighteen or even actually a Novice? Seems like some wrinkly old fart wanted the unaffiliated Hallow-born with little memory of her past for Ember Reach and made an assumption that shoved her into your training program.”
Shrugging, Rynna slipped in front of him, the sound of crashing plates and disgruntled customers echoing behind her. Looking over her shoulder, she saw Fenn, off balance from her words, knocking into nearby tables and issuing a string of embarrassed apologies as he tried to help pick up the mess.
“What’s gotten into him?” Elara asked, handing Rynna a spoon, as she watched their Unit Leader fumble.
“Nothing... yet,” Rynna said with a sly smile, shrugging at her unit mates’ confused expressions.