Chapter 35 #2
“I’m not entirely sure, but I…” Calli trailed off, glancing sideways at Kaelith. She stopped, then gently nudged Rynna, lowering her voice as she leaned in. “What’s with him anyway? He’s been acting odd. Something you want to tell me?”
“Odd?” Rynna echoed, her attention turning to the man who walked beside them. His face remained neutral, but his posture was a little too stiff, his eyes too focused on the path ahead.
“He saved me, first of all. Odd. Then, hauled us both out of whatever fire pit you made back there. Double odd,” Calli began, counting on her fingers.
“And at first, I thought I’d have to be grateful for it, which, you know, would suck.
But then…I don’t know, I’ve never seen anything like it.
Grief like that…” She paused, glancing at Rynna.
“When he thought you were dead just now…”
“Right.” It was all she could say.
“Then, he tried to strangle me when I couldn’t help you, so I’d say we’re even, no gratitude necessary,” Calli continued with a shrug.
“And, of course, there’s the issue that he was clearly using Hollow-born techniques against the dead with the snakes and all, even though his cuffs are supposed to restrict the Source.
But, Rynna…what’s going on? This is more than just him not killing you.
” She paused, whispering, “I think he might be in love with you.”
“That’s dramatic.” Rynna looked away, though she was curious.
How did you attack without the Source?
He smiled smugly. It is a pre-Source skill passed down in the blood. Similar to your wolf’s eye. I just learned how to use mine better, rather than covering it up all the time.
How did I not know this? She wondered, turning back to Calli.
The girl made a face, her nose scrunching up in clear disgust. “Guide Fenn is not going to be happy.”
Kaelith, meanwhile, was studiously ignoring them, his eyes fixed ahead.
“Let’s just get through this war. My personal life doesn’t matter compared to that.” Rynna sighed. “As long as Kaelith is acting in good faith as an ally, his reasons for helping don’t really matter.”
Calli folded her arms. “If you say so. But I still think you’re going to have your hands full if the snake over there starts acting like a love-sick puppy in front of the Commander.”
“Love-sick puppy?” Kaelith’s voice broke through, incredulous. He stumbled slightly, glaring at the girl. “I’ve been accused of many things, child, but that may be the worst.”
“Ha!” Calli spun on her heel, sticking her tongue out at him. “I knew you were listening.”
Kaelith’s eyes narrowed. His look was dark enough to make Calli unconsciously step back, bumping into Rynna, who caught her by the shoulders.
Rynna pursed her lips at Kaelith. Behave.
Exhaling in a huff, his posture loosened as he muttered, “My reputation is ruined. Ember Reach pups sticking their tongues out at me…”
“Whatever, snake.” Calli bent into a crouch, feet angled in the defensive stance of the Shadow Ember technique.
Rynna smiled faintly. It reminded her of Kaelith’s grumpy attitude with the village children of the Hearth. She had loved the way he’d scowl at them whenever they ran too close, his arms crossed, grumbling, yet somehow always managing to ensure none of them got hurt.
What will you tell him? Kaelith’s voice slipped into her mind, soft but insistent as he kept his gaze on the ground.
What makes you think I have anything to tell anybody?
Rynna. He kicked a rock, sending it skidding down the path.
She squeezed the bridge of her nose, wondering just what the hell she had gotten herself into and what exactly, if anything, she needed to tell Fenn.
I love him, Kaelith. Nothing between us, whatever we had, is going to change that.
Kaelith flinched, and for a moment, she thought it was a negative reaction, the way his body went rigid and his steps faltered slightly. But then she realized it wasn’t pain, it was a laugh.
I’m not blind, Rynna. His thoughts rippled through her mind. And you’ve made your stance and your choice very clear every time I’ve seen this new version of you since the Ascension.
Oh yes, when you killed the previous Ember Warden and kidnapped Novices for your experiments. Lovely time, Rynna thought, frowning. Then what do you want from me?
I may have…reacted poorly…seeing you again after so many years, attached to someone else.
She huffed to herself.
But things are different now. Kaelith’s voice slid through her mind. When you disappeared, what we had shattered. A pause, heavy and aching. And I…I took the jagged shards and broke them further, cutting myself in pieces. But now, somehow, they fit again. We fit again.
And she couldn’t deny it. Being near him felt like a balm on her soul, a soothing presence that calmed the darkest reaches of her mind.
Not a replacement for Fenn, who brought her peace in a way only he could, but Kaelith offered something different, something uniquely his, something that made her feel whole in a different way.
Oh, Kae… The whisper echoed in her chest as her throat closed around it.
Then—
It doesn’t matter, she thought, her heart quaking. I won’t give up Fenn.
Losing Fenn or hurting him simply wasn’t an option, but she was surprised at how much it hurt—the thought of severing this connection with Kaelith before it had the chance to fully take root again.
I would never ask you to give him up, Kaelith’s voice cut through her thoughts. That would hurt you.
Her head whipped toward him.
What does that mean? Suspicion pulsing through her. He was a master manipulator, after all.
No tricks. His mouth spread into a lazy, knowing smile as if reading her mind without the need for their connection. I’ll accept whatever sliver you allow me, even if it’s but a fragment.
Her mouth fell open. He had always been so possessive before. And this…this was almost exactly what Fenn had said before he left with the Regiment.
As if navigating this Mission according to the Rules while keeping her friends and one lover safe wasn’t difficult enough. How in the stars would she manage if she gave in to whatever was growing within her for Kaelith, too?
Of course, I can’t speak for the wolf, Kaelith went on. He seems like the traditional type.
Please shut up. The mere idea of having both of them sent a shockwave through her body, heat pooling low between her legs, a traitorous reaction she wasn’t ready to confront.
Very regimented and all that.
I mean it, Kae, her hands flexed against her stomach. I will strangle you if you don’t shut up.
Kaelith’s head tilted slightly as he glanced over at her, assessing. Oh. Pet. I don’t think strangling me is what you want. He elongated his neck, a teasing smirk playing on his lips as he licked them slowly. Or maybe it is. Just a little bit.
SHUT UP!
His laugh erupted, rich and deep, a low, throaty sound. It was the kind of laugh that curled around her senses, setting every nerve alight with awareness.
“What are you laughing at, snake? Trying to summon another army of the dead on us?” Calli kicked a leg at him.
“Please tell me we’re almost there,” Rynna practically groaned.
“Yeah, like an hour from what I can tell,” Calli replied, closing her eyes briefly as if checking a mental map, then opening them with a curious glance at Rynna.
“Thank the stars,” she muttered as Kaelith began whistling a carefree tune, clearly enjoying himself far too much.
Just what the fuck have you gotten yourself into? She asked herself, not for the first time since bringing Kaelith back into her life. And what is Fenn going to say?