Page 34 of Chains of Love

"Did you lose many?"

"Too many." The faces flash through my mind—young recruits, seasoned veterans. "War doesn't discriminate. But I made sure every death meant something. We protected our people, our lands."

Lirien's quiet for a moment. "It sounds lonely."

"It was." The words slip out before I can stop them. "Warriors don't form attachments. Makes us weak, vulnerable. So we fight, we drink, we fuck, and we prepare for the next battle."

She stumbles slightly, and I catch her elbow. The contact sends warmth through my arm.

Lirien tucks a strand of silver hair behind her ear. "You were so angry when I pulled you from that battlefield. But it doesn't sound like you enjoyed that life much."

I roll my shoulders in a shrug, adjusting my sword belt. "It was my life. What else was there to want?"

She shakes her head, her steps slowing. The forest path narrows, forcing me to walk closer behind her. After a moment, she glances back at me. "What about... were there women? In your life, I mean."

A laugh escapes me before I can stop it. "Is that jealousy I detect in your voice, little demon?"

"No!" Her cheeks flush pink. "I'm just curious."

"Hmm." I quicken my pace to walk beside her. "There were women. Plenty of them. But nothing lasting—just nights of pleasure between battles." I catch her gaze. "Warriors don't have the luxury of love affairs. Though I must say, your interest in my romantic history is... intriguing."

"I'm not interested." She stumbles over a root, and I steady her with a hand on her elbow. "I just wanted to know what kind of man you were."

"And now you know. Though I notice you haven't shared any tales of your own lovers."

She yanks her arm away. "Because that's none of your business."

I can't help but smirk at her flustered state, enjoying how she bristles at my teasing. Time to change tactics.

"Tell me about your family. You mentioned something about covens before. That you lived with your mother?" I pause, continuing when she doesn't. "Where is she now?"

Lirien's steps falter, her shoulders tensing. "Yes, I lived with my mother and her coven."

"And?"

"And she was murdered when I was eight." Her voice drops to barely a whisper. "Dark Elves raided our village. She hid me in the cellar."

My chest tightens. I've led such raids before. "The coven took you in after?"

"Yes." She kicks a stone from the path. "Though sometimes I wonder if death would have been kinder."

"They mistreated you?"

"They were afraid of me." Lirien wraps her arms around herself. "My magic... it manifested differently than theirs. More powerful. Less controlled. The Matriarch said I was dangerous."

I reach for her shoulder but stop myself. "Children often struggle with control."

"This was different. The others whispered that I was cursed. Tainted." Her bitter laugh echoes through the trees. "They kept me isolated, refused to teach me properly. Said it was safer that way."

"So you left."

"Had to. I thought..." She shakes her head. "I thought maybe I could build something better. My own coven, where no one would be afraid."

The loneliness in her voice mirrors something in my own soul. "And have you?"

Her green eyes meet mine. "I'm working on it."

"Your coven will be different," I say softly, watching her profile in the fading light. "It'll be everything you deserved—warmth, acceptance, love. A real family."

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