Page 37 of Thorns of Deceit: The Beast Within

Arye glanced quickly to their servants before returning to Skylar. “Something of that nature. You?”

Skylar shrugged. “Much the same. Thought I’d tire myself out.”

An awkward silence fell between them. Skylar could feel Melody’s worried gaze boring into her back, and she noticed Anthony hovering uncertainly behind Arye, his perpetual frown deepening.

She cleared her throat, the sound unnaturally loud in her ears. “Well, since we’re both here… care for some company?”

Arye seemed to search her expression before he nodded. “I’d like that.”

Skylar turned to her servant, whose face was a mask of concern. She knew Melody disapproved of her closeness to Arye, fearing he might discover her secret. “You can return to my chambers. I’ll be fine.”

“Your Grace, I really don’t think?—”

“It’s all right,” Skylar said firmly, though she softened it with a smile. “I won’t be long.”

Skylar watched as Melody looked between them, her mouth set in a tight frown of disapproval. But she knew better than to argue further.

Arye remained silent, his expression unreadable. He glanced at Anthony, making a curt dismissive gesture with his hand. “You’re dismissed for the night,” he said, his voice leaving no room for argument. “I’ll manage on my own.”

The chief servant’s frown deepened, but he bowed low. “As you wish, Your Highness. Do be careful.”

As their servants retreated, casting worried glances over their shoulders, Skylar and Arye were left alone. The tension between them was palpable, neither quite sure how to bridge the gap their last encounter had created.

As they entered the training ground, Skylar felt a strange mix of anticipation and apprehension coiling in her gut. How should she approach him after what had happened a few hours ago?

The area was eerily quiet at this hour, the usual sounds of clashing swords and shouted commands replaced by the soft rustling of leaves and the distant hoot of an owl. Moonlight filtered through the branches overhead, casting dappled shadows across the packed earth.

Arye broke the silence first, his voice uncharacteristically hesitant. “Sky, I want to apologize for earlier. My behavior was unacceptable.” He ran a hand through his hair, a gesture of frustration she knew well.

Skylar’s eyebrows arched in surprise. An apology was the last thing she’d anticipated. “Oh?”

Arye’s gaze flickered away. “When it comes to you, I…” He paused, jaw clenching. “Insults make me lose control.” His eyes snapped back to hers, a flicker of darkness passing over his features. “And when they touch you…”

She forced a light chuckle, trying to diffuse the tension. “Is that because we grew up together? You feel protective of your childhood friend?”

Arye was quiet for a moment, his gaze intense as it bore into hers. “No,” he said firmly, a hint of his usual commanding tone returning. “It’s because you’re my partner.”

The word “partner” hung between them, seeming to reverberate in Skylar’s ears against the backdrop of night sounds. Skylar’s mind whirled, trying to decipher his intent. Surely he meant as allies, as comrades-in-arms. Nothing more.

“Do you want to know everything?” Arye asked suddenly, his voice low and serious. “All the things I’ve done?”

Skylar’s throat constricted, a battle between fear and morbid curiosity raging within her. She appreciated his honesty, but did she truly desire to uncover the full extent of his actions? The weight of his gaze was almost physical, pressing down on her.

“I think it’s better if I don’t,” she said finally.

Arye nodded, accepting her decision. Relief and something like disappointment flashed across his face. Then, his expression shifted, a trace of vulnerability creeping into his eyes. “About the match you mentioned?—”

“No,” Skylar cut him off sharply, her tone colder than she’d intended. She saw Arye flinch slightly and immediately regretted her harshness. “I mean… not now. Please.”

A heavy silence enveloped them, broken only by the distant call of a night bird. Arye’s shoulders slumped barely noticeably, his usual confident demeanor cracking. “Do you find me disgusting?” he asked quietly, vulnerability seeping into his words. “For what I’ve done?”

Skylar’s heart ached at the pain in his expression. She stepped closer, close enough to see the flecks of silver in his eyes. “No, never,” she said softly. “But promise me to stop. Whatever it is you’ve been doing.”

He looked away, tension evident in his face. “I’m not sure I can.”

“Try,” Skylar pleaded, reaching out to grasp his arm. The warmth of his skin under her fingers sent a jolt through her. “For me. Promise me you’ll stop killing people.”

For a long moment, Arye was silent, internal conflict clearly visible in the set of his jaw. Finally, he nodded. “I promise,” he said, but his tense shoulders betrayed his lingering doubt.

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