Page 11 of Fear the Flames
I hate his logic because it sounds similar to the way I think. It’s the same thing I tell myself whenever I gather information and release it on my own terms—it’s not lying if you’re not saying anything.
“Before we get too close, what else do we need to discuss?” he asks while slowing his horse down. All the religious cults travel by the phases of the moon so they don’t accidentally run into each other. There’s bad blood between all of them. Their rivalries reflect whatever rivalries the gods had.
“Where do you want to meet me before we ride to Vareveth?” I begin. “I assume we’ll be traveling into your kingdom together considering I would have to pass through Feynadra or Urasos.”
“I’ll escort you directly from Aestilian with several of my best soldiers,” he states as if it’s the most obvious thing.
“No,” I shoot out.
“No?” he questions, dumbfounded.
“Yes,” I agree.
“So, yes?”
“No! You’re not coming to Aestilian.”
“Elowen,” he starts while pinching the bridge of his straight nose. The sound of my name on his lips—I can’t tell if it’s unfamiliar or if it feels like he’s spoken it hundreds of times rather than a handful. Nobody outside of Aestilian has spoken my name since I left Imirath. Outside the safety of my borders, I’ve always given people the first name that pops into my head. “I vowed to protect you, and that includes your people.”
Yes, but when his vow stops benefiting him, he’ll find a way out of it.
Just as I will.
“Some of my people come from Vareveth, they made it safely to Aestilian, and I won’t harm their mental states further by bringing in a reminder of where they fled after I vowed to protect them. I have vows too, Cayden, and I won’t go back on them just because it’s inconvenient for you,” I snarl.
Cayden grinds his teeth and grips his reins tighter, “Will you at least tell me where it is?”
“Not a chance,” I state. He rubs a hand over his sharp jawline and looks like he wants to challenge me but doesn’t.
“Do you know where the temple ruins for the God of Earth are?” he asks. Knowing where the temples are is vital to surviving a night in the Terrwyn or Sweven Forest. I nod in confirmation. “My soldiers and I will meet you there.”
It’s close to Aestilian; it’s the temple closest to the tavern where we met. Which means it’ll be a fairly short ride. I want to argue with him to choose a temple further away from Aestilian, but I don’t want to raise suspicion.
This is also the first of many battles between the war of our clashing personalities.
Compromising sucks.
“Fine,” I resign. “You said you want to be in Vareveth within the week?”
“I’ll move my soldiers to the temple tomorrow morning. Come on whatever day you wish before the week is over. My soldiers will serve as your guards while you’re in Vareveth and anywhere else we go, so you don’t have to trouble yourself with assembling a group to come with you.” His eyes rest heavily on my profile, and I twist my head to meet his gaze. The relief I feel is locked away, far from any emotion he could gage from me. Leaving Aestilian is something I want, but I won’t assume anyone else wants to ride headfirst into war and political conflict. The only one I can guarantee is Finnian and probably Ailliard. Ailliard will be annoyed, but I highly doubt he’ll stay in Aestilian if I’m not there. He’ll be an awful grump, but he’ll be there. I’ll need him to attend political meetings.
Still, I ask, “Why should I trust that your soldiers will protect me?”
“Because I will personally punish those that defy my orders.” He gives me a pointed look, which translates tonobody wants to be on the receiving end of his wrath. “You’re the only person standing between my army being burned alive if the dragon link dies with you or transfers to someone else in your bloodline—and I have no intention of dying before I see this war through.” A scowl mars his face, and he looks like a man hellbent on revenge. I wonder what’s motivating him so much. I would ask, but I don’t want him prodding into my reasons either. We can have a truce in silence. If I know his reasons, he’ll seem more…human.I don’t want to know him like that.
I tear my eyes away from him and face forward again; a slight tremor travels through my hands—the image of his scowl is burned into my brain. If Finnian thinks my resting face is intimidating, then Cayden’s is murderous. What an inviting pair we make. Maybe we can find some common ground considering we both hate the same person. But even imagining finding common ground with Cayden feels like reaching my hand into complete darkness, unaware of what I’m supposed to be holding.
We’re allies of some sort, not friends.
“I won’t enter Vareveth before signing a formal agreement. I know the alliance papers can’t be drawn up on such short notice, but I want our vows written and signed with witnesses,” I say. The sound of drums floats our way from beyond the stretch of my vision. Leather slides against leather as we drop to the forest floor beside each other. I jump back when his arm brushes against mine. Physical touch is something I like to see coming, if I’m in the mood for it, but I’m shocked when he also quickly takes a step away from me.
Another truce to share in silence.
“My word is as good as a blood oath, but I’ll give you your fancy paper and signatures if that’s what you wish, Queen Elowen.” The easy arrogance infiltrates his tone again, covering up what just transpired between us. For once, I’m thankful for it. I still want to punch him, though.
I let out a humorous laugh while crossing my arms over my chest, “I would be a fool to take your word at face value, soldier. You either prove it to me, or I’m out.”
“You’re out?” he quirks a brow.
