Page 67 of The Heir's Bargain

"Is it? Or did you not wish to see it?"

"Why would I?—"

"The mind is a strange place, Fynneares," my mother interrupted, her bright blue gaze boring into me and causing me to twist in my seat. "You more than anyone should know that."

Her stare was too heavy to bear, so I fixed my gaze upon the grain of the wood, the twisting lines and knots that ran throughout the table's surface.

My mother was wrong. Dani hadn't liked me. As a friend? Sure. But nothing more.

What did Dani say when I kissed her nearly a month ago?

You're like a brother to me, after all.

My mother's dainty hand entered my vision, her fingers flexing in the air. "I can show you if you need me to, son."

I stared at my mother's outstretched hand. For a second, I debated on saying yes. But there was no way she was right. If she was right. . .

I shook my head.

"Very well." She stood, smoothing out the wrinkles that had formed on the lavender fabric of her skirt. "Danisinia has always been strong. There's no question about it. But despite all that armor she wears, she still wears her heart on her sleeve. Do well to take care of it, son."

Before I could give my mother a response, she was already walking out of the room.

Guilt swam in the pit of my stomach. This deal was supposed to be simple. I had suggested it because Dani and I were friends. Since we had no feelings, we didn’t need to worry about anyone's heart breaking once the arrangement ended. But if my mother was right. . .

She wasn't, I told myself.

She couldn't be.

Dani and I poked and prodded each other, but that was because we were best friends—nothing more.

Surely, if Dani had harbored feelings for me, there would have been more to the kiss we shared. It would have been more than a simple peck.

Still, a small voice at the back of my mind wondered if my mother was wrong, why did Dani always lock me out of her mind then?

I scoffed and grabbed my tea, sipping the lukewarm liquid. Herbs melted on my tongue, but for some reason, the ginger tea left me craving something else.

Something with cinnamon.

Chapter 16

DANI

"Delivery for Captain Ferrios!"

My sword fell to my side. "Delivery? I'm not?—"

I choked on my words as my back hit the ground with a thud. A cloud of dust wafted into the air around my face. Tiny dust particles swam in the air as I squinted at the sun.

"Nice one, Moris!" Quint called out from the group of soldiers gathered around the mat.

I should have been thankful that the group of soldiers who witnessed me falling was smaller than usual, but it only made it worse.

For the past few days, the lieutenants and captains of the First Battalion had been asked to stay behind after our regular training for additional advanced sessions. General Walen said little else when he made the announcement. But when my father showed up, I knew something was up—something I needed to be a part of.

For the past three days straight, I worked myself tirelessly.

My body was covered in bruises from the additional combat training, and my limbs were so sore that even an ice bath did little to soothe the ache.

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