Page 118 of Upon Buried Embers
My tone leaves no room for arguments, and they nod, but the mood is somber.
“We just need to stick to the plan,” Rhett says.
“We are.”
“I’m not saying you’re not, but you seem distracted… blinded.”
“Blinded?” I growl, folding my arms.
“You’re spending a lot of time with the elf.”
I stiffen. “I’m keeping an eye on her.”
He raises a brow. “To do chores?”
“To do her tasks. Are you questioning me?”
“No.” He shakes his head. “Of course not, I’m just on edge with The Games looming,” he sighs. “We can’t mess up.”
“I know that!” I’ve done everything for this clan, I’m not going to mess this up now.
“I just want reassurance that nothing will stand in the way.” He stares hard at me, and my jaw tics.
“It will be done, one way or another.”
Silence follows, then Calian claps Rhett on the back. “Come on, let’s grab a drink.”
Rhett smirks at him, but my eyes don’t leave him as he exits the tent with everyone else, until it’s just Asseya and I.
“We cannot fail, Rohan. There’s much riding on this. Even if what we do seems unfair.”
“I know,” I grit out, anger rising. “I’ve bled for this clan and I will continue to do so.”
“I’m not saying you won’t, but I think Rhett is correct in a sense, you’re being blinded right now.” I look away, body tense.
Asseya thinks that too?
I’m keeping an eye on the elf, making sure she’s taking this seriously and upholding her end of the deal.
She doesn’t know I’m watching her most of the time, but I wouldn’t be a good Dragonbond if I didn’t make sure she was doing as she’s told. Everyone thinks she has some control over me? That she’s more important?
I’m not blinded.
I’mnot.
My clan is before everything.
“I sense a lot of hurt coming,” Asseya continues. “I just hope you know what you’re doing, Rohan. For all of our sakes, and hers.”
I haven’t known what I’ve been doing since Karag touched her, and I wanted to turn him into ashes for it.
And I fear it’s only the beginning.
Fuck.
Twenty Nine
Elf
