Page 31 of Forcing Fate

“Willhelm!” I greeted, stepping out of earshot of the guards.

He came to stand beside me with a frown. “I was worried about you. General Rafe said he sent you off with no escort.”

Even in the dark, I sensed his relief that I was safe and sound. “I set off to mend his clothes. I needed new thread,” I hedged.

“One of the cadets said you looked angry enough to burn the building down around him,” Willhelm teased.

“I was angry at the time, but all is well now,” I assured him, holding out the tunic. “I wanted to give this to him, but the guards say he’s indisposed.”

Willhelm nodded, glancing at the bundle. “He makes himself scarce at night. I can find him if you’d like, but I can’t take you from the gate,” he explained.

“I know.” Biting my lip, I ducked my head. “I’m sorry I didn’t think of that. I only wanted to see his face.”

“See his face when you gave him his mending? Have you not seen it before with other mendings?”

I kicked at a loose pebble on the ground. “This one is different.” My cheeks warmed. Saying it out loud made me seem childish and ridiculous. “I had to go to Master Elta for help.”

“Ah, so it was more effort? I’m sorry, lass, I’ll give it to him if you want me to.”

Reluctantly, I held out the tunic. Guilt gnawed at my insides as I watched Willhelm fold it under his arm.

“Are you well enough to get to the dorms alone?” he asked, glancing over my shoulder at the dark school grounds.

“I am. I know the way like the back of my hand.” With a final glimpse at the tunic, I turned to leave. “See you tomorrow.”

“Good night, Avyanna,” he called.

Looking back, his puzzled expression fueled my guilt. I waved and rushed off into the dark. Lately, I had been so exhausted I couldn’t wait to return to the dorms, yet tonight I was reluctant. I lifted my chin and picked up my feet. General Rafe would still get the tunic, and his pride would still take a blow.

With that happy thought in mind, I hurried my pace and headed back to the dorms.

I woke the next morning and rushed to ready myself for the barracks. Willhelm wouldn’t be there any earlier than the eighth chime like he normally was, but I was still eager to see General Rafe’s face.

Eager was one way to put it, anyway. My stomach knotted with nerves, rebelling against the excitement. He would retaliate somehow, but I was finding new satisfaction in the back and forth we had. I was never the type of girl to pick a fight, or even participate in one, yet General Rafe’s arrogance had me itching for one.

Perhaps it was because before he had arrived, I placed him on a pedestal as some great General who would teach me all the things I needed to learn about fighting. Perhaps I had thought too much of him. For one thing, I expected him to differ from a boar. I envisioned a General who was polite and distinguished. A gentleman.

I scoffed. There wasn’t an ounce of propriety in that brute.

I headed with my breakfast to the barracks. Willhelm was at the gate waiting, and he froze when he saw me, a mischievous grin lighting his face.

“Good morn, Willhelm.”

“Morning, you little devil.” He crossed his arms, staring me down with a smile. “I have to warn you, General Rafe is in a foul mood today.”

His playful tone had me beaming. It was obvious something had put him in a good mood.

“Oh? And why is that?” I asked, feigning innocence.

“It appears as though he has had a wardrobe malfunction.”

“Hmm. That’s peculiar,” I stated, tilting my head at the guards. They nodded me on without asking for my papers.

“He’s been cursing and throwing things all morning. He also might be in a state of undress when I escort you to him. I’ll stay with you if he is.”

Usually, once I crossed the gate, Willhelm fell into step beside me, but today he lingered. Beneath his mirth was an underlying hint of warning.

“Oh my. Is he running about naked?” I taunted.

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