Page 187 of Upon Buried Embers
Yes, our relationship will be frowned upon, not from my clan, but from the rest of the lands. But I’ll burn it all down before I let that affect her.
The choice of a Dragonbond is of no concern to anyone.
I’ll see to it that she’ll go to a market place, she’ll learn to ride a horse on her own, braid better, enjoy all types of food.
I will give her everything she’s ever wanted and not been given.
“Where?” I ask Kaldar. He looks tired, more so than usual.
“The hill before The Glade.” I nod, then look him over.
“Where’ve you been all night?”
The sigh he releases is heavy as he turns and folds his arms. “With Adora and Olaf.”
“Then why the long face?”
His jaw tics. “Olaf said he likes someone else.”
I blink, surprised. “What? Who?” They’ve been a trio for nearly a year now, and I’ve never seen Olaf take an interest in anyone else.
“He won’t tell us, but I saw him with a Highwing clan member.”
I stop short, and so does he. “Sigrid’s clan?” He nods. “What the fuck?”
“I know.” He runs a hand down his face. “I don’t even know how they got so close, but they were laughing by the fire, and the guy was comfortable touching him in a way that looked familiar.”
“Did you confront him?”
“Not yet.”
The clans don’t interact apart from The Glade’s Blessing, trading and The Games, so I have no idea how Olaf found the time to become familiar with another. It isn’t frowned upon to have relations with another clan, but it does warrant them telling me so I can keep an eye on it.
Though we rarely have new members from other clans, most are accepted with being under the watchful eye of everyone until trust is earned.
You never know if they could be plotting.
“What are you going to do?” I ask him. “He should have told me, as per my rules.”
“I know. I’ll deal with him if you let me?” I nod. “I need to talk to Adora and see what she thinks. She likes Olaf a lot, hearing this will hurt her.”
“Because he likes another?”
He shakes his head. “Because he kept it from us. You.”
“Maybe they just found each other that night?”
“His hands suggest otherwise. Olaf doesn’t work that way. He needs a bond before the physical is involved.”
I nod like I understand, but I don’t. I haven’t been in a relationship before. Haven’t wanted someone in my space.
Apart from my little Elf.
“Anyway,” Kaldar gestures behind him as we walk to the hill. “Seems you two have gotten closer.” He nudges his shoulder against mine.
“It was inevitable,” I admit.
He laughs. “I know. We all saw the way you looked at her. I just hope you know what you’re doing.”
