Page 79 of To No End

Once more he said, “Yield,” between gritted teeth.

But for some reason, my stubbornness would not let me bend to his will. I would let him choke me out before I uttered the words. And just as I began to feel my eyes flutter and consciousness leave me, I saw Trace reach for Varro’s arm, yanking it away as he growled, “Let her go!”

I dropped to the floor, hitting my head, and with that came nothing but stars and darkness.

When I awoke, I was alone in my bed. My head pounded with a pain I had never felt, and I could feel aching all over my body, quickly reminding me of how I had gotten here. I had no idea how much time had passed or who had brought me here. It wasn’t Nori, or I’m certain she would have done her best to heal me and ensure that I did not awake feeling as awful as I did. I rolled over on my side, trying to find the energy to sit up.

Thoughts of Varro squeezing the life from me and Trace’s rage-filled voice flashed back into my mind. I had no idea what had transpired since that moment, and Gods I hoped he had found a way to control himself. This was my fault. I was the one who was too stubborn to give in to Varro when I had already lost. Just as stubborn as Saryn when I held a blade to him.

When I peeked my head out into the hallway it was quiet and dim, indicating it was clearly past dinner time and most had likely gone to sleep. The sound of Varro’s words echoed through me. His words from last night, and today in training. I began to hobble my way toward the baths at the bottom of the falls.

Unsure if I wanted to see him or not, anger wrapped around me like a warm blanket as I envisioned drowning him for this. My viciousness surprised even me. When had I become so vengeful? This place was getting to me.

This time there were no melodies drawing me back to the door, yet I knew he’d be there even before I turned the knob. I found Varro soaking in the same spot as last night. I quickly removed my clothes, uninterested in whether he was looking at me or not. I needed the comfort of the waters, badly.

I submerged my body and rolled my shoulders in relief. I relaxed, letting the warmth bring me a reprieve from the day. I inched my way slowly toward Varro, unsure of what our encounter would be like, and sat across from him.

He did not speak, but his eyes said many things. I tried to decipher their meaning. Was that guilt or anger, perhaps a littleof both? While staring into his eyes, I noticed the swelling on his right cheekbone marked with a tiny cut. I did not recollect landing a blow there.

The awkward silence filled the room like the steam wafting above the pool.

“What made you think I’d need motivation to return?” I asked with a bit of venom, referencing his comment about the bath.

He winced at my words; he knew he’d gone too far.

“I didn’t go too far…” he snapped, and then I realized I had dropped my mental shields in a moment of distraction.

Before I could argue that point, he added, “If you were mine— If you were my teammate, then I’d want to make sure you’re prepared for the worst, for anything someone might do to hurt you.”

“I am your teammate,” I whispered, trying to ignore his delicately phrased words.

Although I can’t say I enjoyed being choked to the point of blacking out, he did have a point. Theory would have likely approved of his methods. She wanted us to push our limits, and she would never approve of the males treating us differently. Regardless, I was caught off guard by his willingness to go there our first time sparring.

“Why didn’t you just yield?” he questioned, as if he had been counting on that.

My answer came quick and uncalculated, filled with anger boiling from places within that I had kept bottled up until now.

“For my father, and for the merchants and sailors your family slaughtered. Did they yield when hundreds died, the blood soaking the bay crimson?”

I had only realized it myself as I spoke… I’d rather him see the life drain from my eyes than bend to the will of a member of House Corliss.

“You speak of things you know nothing about, just what you’ve been told. Don’t pretend you have any reason to define me by anything other than what I show you here and now.”

His voice grew louder and echoed off the walls. He wasn’t yelling, more like pleading.

Against my better judgment, I continued to press him. I could not let this go.

“Tell me you had nothing to do with it. Tell me you weren’t at your father’s side while he led the massacre!” My voice rose louder than his.

“I wasn’t involved. The instant I learned of my father’s plans, I only had so much time. I acted selfishly. I protected the two most important people in my life and immediately got my mother and sister into hiding, away from that abusive piece of shit.”

He paused, eyeing me intently to make sure I was hearing every word.

“Someone would have come for them, to take them as ransom or worse. Do you think my father would have bargained on their behalf? He wouldn’t have raised a finger. Not someone who throws an infant into the sea or beats on his wife while biding his time to sell off his daughter in a betrothal of his choosing.”

He took a deep breath and continued, sounding distraught.

“Once I had gotten them away from him and his enemies who would do them harm, I returned. But I was too late. So much death and destruction had already been done.”

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