Chapter 10 #2
Amrath frowns a little, the expression strangely exaggerated, as if he’s looking with compassion at a rabbit caught in snares. “I’m sorry if my approach seems abrupt, but he might come back any moment now, and you deserve to know what he surely hasn’t told you.”
I’ve been here before.
Jealous exes sending me DMs, or approaching me with the purpose of messing up my budding relationship, but at the same time, this is a whole new ball game. I’m no longer in Kansas, and if something goes wrong, I won’t be able to cut off Tristan.
My face goes aflame.
Shouldn’t Viola and my grandparents have warned me instead of enabling this crazy venture? That’s what loved ones are for when you go all cock-struck and make reckless decisions.
“I’m all ears.”
Amrath puts his hand on mine, as if in concern.
He’s not my type, but I have to acknowledge that his skin is insanely soft.
“Tristan can be very charming when he wants to, and he is now surely courting you, so you don’t back out of becoming his Dark Companion.
Your wedding is most likely planned for the next full moon, am I right? ”
Wait. Wait, wait, wait… I could back out of becoming the Dark Companion of the cold-as-ice guy? Would Tristan then be free to pursue me?
And the fact that this is what I got from Amrath’s warning tells me I have it bad for Tristan.
Oh heck… I’m being so reckless…
“I—maybe?”
“All I’m saying is don’t expect a bed of roses after that.
Tristan’s known to get awestruck by the fresh new thing, then never sticking around.
And don’t think I’m just saying that as some scorned lover.
I wouldn’t go back to him if he promised me rooms next to his at the castle.
As a human, you can’t know any of this about him, so I’m giving you the warning others, and there are many, might not, worried to end up on the pointy end of his temper. I am not afraid.”
“His temper?” I repeat without thinking. Maybe this should have been an inside thought, because my question triggers a flash in Amrath’s eyes, and I put both my hands around my glass just to do something with them. “What do you mean?”
“Well, do you think he carries that sword for show? He’s fought no less than three duels outside this very tavern.
And one inside, just last year. One over a game of dice he cheated at, another when a lady he pursued chose someone else, oh, and that latest one?
He simply got furious that the truth of his biggest failure was mentioned.
Do you know why he’s now a Nightcloak and not the Lord’s guard? ”
This is far too much information to take in at once, but I shake my head, because Tristan might be back soon, and if the real him is nothing like the man he presented himself as so far, then I need to have all the information I can get. But what then? Could I just… go back?
Of course, Amrath could be lying to smear Tristan’s reputation. I might have been brought up sheltered, but I’m not naive anymore.
“Why?”
Amrath’s beautiful big eyes light up, and he grabs my other drink as if I offered it to him.
It would be too awkward to take it back, so I say nothing.
“His one job and purpose in life was to protect the crown prince, yet he let Prince Kyranis get mauled and eaten by wolves, too much of a coward to step in and put his life on the line when push came to shove.” He’s getting so heated I’m worried he might spill the drink.
“So don’t put your trust in him whether it comes to protection or love.
Just because you’re his promised? He’ll just find a new one if you die. ”
Oh, he hates Tristan. And that story about this ‘Kyranis’? Awful, but I’ve read enough romantasy books to be wary of taking the first court politics intel at face value.
This is my moment to keep my cards close and only play them once the time is right, but deception isn’t in my nature, and if I am to exist in this new reality, I can’t betray everything I am, even for a promise of love. “What did he do to you?”
Amrath flinches as if I’ve stabbed him, then downs my drink. “You insolent piece of shit! I only came over to warn you, but do go on. You’re free to make your own mistakes!”
I’m so shocked by the sudden outburst my body tips back, and if the column carved to picture galloping unicorns wasn’t in my way I might have fallen off the chair.
My heart’s beating frantically, like a terrified rabbit attempting to flee the snare, but there’s nowhere to run.
“Amrath.” Tristan’s voice is such a steady baritone, a shiver goes down my back and I wonder if it has the same effect on the other elf. I’m jealous of his pointy ears possibly picking up more sound than mine.
Amrath’s eyes are like crystal daggers when they turn to Tristan. “Tristan,” he says cooly.
“Making new friends, I see? Does this mean you’re done sulking at the sight of me?”
The elf slams the glass on the counter and gets up. “You are not worth ‘sulking’ over, Tristan. Is your wing still broken?”
This is like something from one of those outrageous reality shows my grandma forbade me to watch.
But instead of being engineered by the producers, the drama is playing out in real time, right in front of me.
And as wary as I am of putting my trust in a person I only met yesterday, I don’t think this beautiful stranger with nerves of paper is someone whose testimony I should believe either.
I swallow and try meeting Tristan’s gaze above Amrath’s arm.
Every eye in the tavern is on us now, which makes me feel even more naked in my everyday clothes that match the scenery about as much as a nylon patch does a fancy evening dress.
Seems that Tristan does have a flair for the dramatic too, because the shadowy webbed wings emerge from his back and spread wider than ever before.
“Fully fixed and healed. Any other stupid questions, or can I ask my—Nate for a dance?”
It’s been a while since I’ve been this glad about having an opportunity to leave someone’s side, so I take Tristan’s hand.