Page 115 of Forcing Fate

He hesitated, glancing over at me as I went on.

“You told me you wouldn’t. You said you’d make sure I knew you were there, and watch.” My voice broke and tears welled in my eyes, but I blinked them back, refusing to let them spill. I would not cry in front of him. I was not a child.

“You were foolish, but not reckless. You took precautions, petty as they were.”

I frowned and held the blanket higher to ward off any barbs he might send my way. “I tried–” I stared at the wall, unwilling to meet his gaze.

“Don’t make excuses,” he barked, standing to stretch.

I bit my lip and winced. The wounds were still tender. A shudder wracked my body as I remembered Victyr and his men. “Where are they?” I asked quietly.

“Dead.”

My head snapped up, and I gaped at him in shock. They were dead? Dead? “All of them?”

I should be grateful, even pleased, with the news that they were all beyond the Veil, but for some reason, it was simply… horrifying. Six lives, gone. Their actions toward me were unjustifiable, yet I did not expect death to be their punishment.

General Rafe stalked to the edge of the bed and towered over me. I shrank away, pressing my back against the cold wooden wall, and he leaned closer, boxing me in with his massive arms. His gaze glittered dangerously as he brought his nose a mere breath from mine.

“I killed the five in the snow. The leader, I maimed and cut off his–” he stopped and his eye danced over my face as I held my breath in horror, “his offending member. I left him in the snow for Corporal Bane to find. He was executed the following morning.”

A shiver ran through me. His voice was barely above a whisper and calm as a lake on a warm summer day. How could he speak of something so grim with such detachment?

“Because I am a woman?” I whispered.

He was so close, and my eyes flitted over his strong features. His face was that of a man, not some maturing youth. He was strong and sure. My gaze landed on the cloth wound around his face, hiding his battle wound.

“Because you’re a soldier.” His gaze landed on my lips, which had to look worse for wear after the beating I took. “My soldier.”

He withdrew and turned his back on me. I shivered against the sudden chill, huddled against the wall. Tucking the blanket under my chin like a child hiding from a monster, I swallowed past the lump in my throat. My breaths were shallow and my heart raced. Was it because I was afraid? I didn’t think so. I wasn’t frightened of him anymore, though his actions unnerved me.

The door swung open. I caught a glimpse of muddy snow before Rashel stepped in, rousing me from my thoughts.

“So, ragwort extract, not hesh seed,” she muttered. She hurried over, pressing her cold hand to my forehead. Satisfied my fever had broken, she held my wrist and closed her eyes for a moment before giving a firm nod. “I believe you’re through the thick of it, dear.”

“Thank you.” I smiled.

“You may leave now, General,” she stated, retrieving her satchel.

He grunted, grabbing his fur vest, and stepped out of the room.

“I swear, by the love of all things good and right, that man tries my patience.”

I chuckled, and she looked back up at me.

“You’re feeling better?”

“Yes, ma’am. Sore, but better. I feel… more awake.” I didn’t know how to explain it. My body was aching and weak, but it felt as if I had woken from a deep sleep.

“Good… that’s good to hear. I expect you will be uncomfortable for some time. You took quite the beating.”

Expression dropped from my face as I looked at the blanket. “Are they—is it true?” I tried to form more words, but couldn’t get them out.

“Avyanna, look at me.”

I searched her green eyes as she reached for my shoulder, grasping me tight.

“You will not suffer a measure of guilt. I forbid it.”

---