Chapter 27 For All Our Sakes
For All Our Sakes
Asterious
“We'll leave within three days at the latest. That will give us enough time to prepare rations and avoid any potential run-ins with travelers for the harvest celebrations.” Asterious gave the order loud enough for everyone to hear, though Wyran had pulled him aside to ask.
“I’ll get started on preparations this evening.” Wryan nodded, hands on his waist.
The door clicked shut, drawing both of their attention to the fact that Caramyn had left without much warning.
A sly grin took over Wyran’s face as he lowered his voice and tapped his forehead.
“Now I see why you brought her in here. That was good thinking, letting the scouts get a good look at her.”
Asterious pressed his brows together. “What do you mean by that?”
“Aren’t you going to ask if they recognize the girl? If they ever came across the likes of her during their mission?” Wryan asked, his voice near a whisper.
"I imagine they would’ve told me by now. Besides, Caramyn has never even been close to Felhold.” Asterious spoke just as softly, aware of the curiosity looming in the rest of the room.
Wryan clicked his tongue. “Because that’s what she told you? What if she’s lying?”
“I believe her.”
“You’ve let your guard down with her, Asterious.
She still hasn’t told you anything. What if she’s working for Sinevia?
You saw the way she ran out of here. She could be sending her word of everything we say.
Ever since we found her, things have worsened in the kingdom far faster than anyone would have imagined.
And you’ve been unravelling in ways I thought we’d finally beaten out of you. ”
Asterious bristled at his words. He wasn’t wrong.
Something about Caramyn had triggered the return of the most beastly part of himself, and he didn’t know why.
The part Wyran had worked so hard to teach him to subdue through blood and tears, quite literally.
But that was because of his own weakness. Not hers.
“That is not her fault,” he said plainly.
Wyran frowned. “She doesn’t even want to help you. In fact, she’s putting us all in more danger. You know the consequences of falling for that pretty face. You know what will happen if you lose a grip on that heart of yours. Do. Not. Feel.”
“Wyran, you of all people know I’m aware of what can happen. Don’t worry. I’ll fight it. I’ll discipline myself more to keep anything from happening. I’ll get it under control again. Long enough to just get her to take us through the Woods. And then I’ll be free…of everything.”
“You mean she’s going to help you?” Wyran’s face snapped into a doubtful expression quickly.
“She hasn’t said that exactly. But she’s going to stay, and that’s a start.”
Wyran groaned with a sigh and looked away. “Hopefully a good start. For all our sakes.”
“Your dismissed, Wyran.” Asterious shook his head. Wyran especially knew better than to provoke him, so he didn’t understand why he seemed so intent on doing it.
But Wyran was right about one thing. Asterious certainly did notice the strange way Caramyn left the room in a hurry, as though she’d seen a ghost. And it troubled him deeply to think that it was one more layer added to her—to his mystery that he was growing ever more desperate to unravel.