Page 73 of A Simple Truth

Redheads? Easily...The General’s words came back to mock me.

I sat at the table, putting my plate down, my eyes involuntarily darting through the camp towards that stupid tent. The Ten took seats around me, ravenously diving into their plates. But my food tasted sour to me now, so I took a dithering sip of my water.

“Who is she?” I turned to Ashe, attempting to sound cool and relaxed, but failing.

“That was Petunia. She is a Creator, and Xentar’s right hand,” Ashe casually replied between bites of her food. “Also, she and the General used to be a thing a while back.”

I shouldn’t have been surprised. He was a grown man. Of course, he was involved. Of course, he had someone. Of course, she had to be the most gorgeous redhead to ever exist.

Yanush snickered. “Oh, I know that look.Jea-lou-sy…”

“I have nothing to be jealous about,” I objected. “He is a free man to do whatever he wants. Plus, it’s not like I have any interest in him to begin with. So good for him for finding someone who tolerates his awful personality.” I took another sip of water, almost choking on it, raising my chin up as if somehow, it would make me feel better.

“Do you want us to mess her up for you? Because I’ll gladly do it, no questions asked,” Ioanna offered sincerely she was quickly becoming my new favorite of the Ten.

“Nobody is messing up anyone.” Zora glared at Ioanna. “They haven’t been together since last summer, Finn.”

As if that was going to make me feel better.

It didn’t.

“For the record, I didn’t like her from the moment I met her,” Ioanna continued.

“You don’t like anyone, Ioanna, so that doesn’t mean anything,” Cass chipped in.

“That’s not true,” Ioanna complained.

“Yeah, well, who have you liked from the first moment you saw them?” Cass continued.

“She liked me.” Yanush raised her hand, slurping up her soup straight from the bowl.

“Exception just proves the rule.” Cass shook her head.

“Plus, you two are sisters-in-law, so that doesn’t count,” Motra argued.

“You have nothing to worry about, Finn,” Gia assured softly, taking a crunchy bite of a green apple.

“Like I said, there is nothing between us. I already had to deal with him for a whole week. I’m glad someone else must deal with him now. A whole week with the General is more than I can handle,” I said dryly, hoping that my racing heart would believe those words.

“You say that, but whatever happened between you two in Elfland...” Motra stated suggestively.

“Nothing happened.” I stopped her there.

“No, not like that…Destroyer men know to court their women first. But even if you two did, you know we wouldn’t judge you for it…” Motra shook her head, almost looking half offended. “But for reference, I meant more of…” She paused, looking for the right words. “…two souls connecting.”

He doesn’t have a soul, and perhaps I should’ve listened to that statement better.

“Destroyer women don’t do well with jealousy, Finn,” Cass explained.

“Yeah, we are quite territorial,” Cori nodded. “Granted, so are our men, but gods, women are a whole different level. I almost killed that one bitch that stared at my husband for too long.” Cori’s jaw tensed. “Still think about killing her sometimes.Was it a bit crazy? Yes. But I refuse to feel bad about it,” she said as she took another bite of her bread.

“And you are fully justified.” Tori nodded in agreement. “There is nothing more sacred for Destroyers than their marriage and their soul-bond.”

“Soul-bond?” Those words caught my ears as I turned to Tori.

“Yes, unlike Magic Wielders, Destroyers don’t have soul mates. However, we have soul binding marriages which are way better than any soulmates could ever be. Imagine looking your entire life for some magical person that is supposed to be meant for you? What if you don’t find them until you are old?! Or you don’t find themever!Imagine that!” Tori spoke passionately.

My confused eyes turned to Zora. She snarled at those words, not liking the topic.

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