Page 67 of Fate and Flame
“Right, but your father was a warrior. He could have done anything. He could have walked away. Why would he choose to stay with them but also refuse to lead them, like you said?”
I shrugged. “I’m not sure.”
“I think it’s important and we should look into it, that’s all. If it mattered so much to your father, it should matter to us too. If he was as smart as everyone says.”
“He was,” I said coldly.
“Okay.” She nodded again, ready for another knife.
I flicked the final knife in my hand. She spirited away and it thunked right into the fence post.“Swords?” I asked.
“You really are pissed at Fen.” She walked to the wall of practice weapons and grabbed two. “You know I suck at this, so be gentle.”
“I’m always gentle.” I smiled.
“Liar.” She laughed.
We practiced, and I taught her move after move, until we were both drenched in sweat and I had to get back and bathe before Fen’s coronation.
“Did I miss the show?” Greywolf asked as I walked past him.
“Sorry. Maybe tomorrow. Hey, I wanted to ask you about something.” I pivoted, walking back to him. “You said you were from the Winterlands?”
His eyes doubled in size and he slowly nodded.
“Is that a secret you’re not supposed to tell?”
Again, he nodded.
“But we’re friends, aren’t we Grey?”
“Sure, yes, Sir. We are friends,” he said with a crooked smile.
“So, if I needed to know about your home, you could tell me, your friend?”
He shrugged.
“Maybe not today, Grey. But we should talk about it soon. In case it’s important.”
“Okay,” he said, relieved he didn’t have to say anything more.
“I’ll see you tonight? For the coronation?”
“I’ll be on guard duty,” he said, his face dropping a little.
“I’ll make sure Loti saves you a plate.”
He clapped and I walked away. I still had to find Fen. Even though I was mad at what he said, I still wanted to be there for him. Opening the bedroom door, I found him sitting on the edge of the bed with his head in his hands, hair a mess from tugging at it.
“Fen, I—”
“I’m sorry,” he blurted out. “You deserve so much better, Ara.”
I closed the door, crossed my arms, and waited.
“I told you it wouldn’t change anything, and it doesn’t. I’m not mad at you. I never was. I’m mad at everything else that’s happening. I’m mad that I can’t protect you from your fate. I’m mad because the only thing that stops fate is death and I can’t protect you from that. I’m mad because my father died. I’m mad because I’m just not ready at all.” He lowered his head again, letting the utter devastation consume him.
“Do you think your father was ready, Fen?”
