Page 174 of Upon Buried Embers
“She…she did,” I agree, finally admitting it aloud. “But I think Tofa hurt her enough, and you. I just want to go back to the tent. To be with you. Let her go so I can be with you.”
I just want to be away from here.
“Elf…” his jaw tics.
“Please.”
“Fuck.” His hand engulfs my own on his chest, and his head drops forward against mine and there he just… breathes.
I sense the restlessness around me, the unease at what he’ll do next, but he eventually gets himself under control.
“What is it that you want, Elf?”
“What?”
“Forherto leave?” he growls. “Let me kill her.”
“I…”
“She deserves it.”
I suck in a sharp breath and look at Darcia. She looks pitiful with a face full of blood and tears. Her hair is a mess and her tunic is ripped at the shoulder, a bruise is already forming on her cheek from Tofa.
“I just want her to never bother me again,” I mumble. “To leave me alone. To never come back…”
He stares at me, body tense, nostrils flaring.
“She needs to die.”
I slowly shake my head. “She needs to leave. That is punishment enough.”
He’s quiet for a while, but eventually, he nods.
“If that’s what you want.” I nod. “Kaldar?”
“Here,” he says, coming up to Rohan, still eyeing him warily.
Rohan takes another breath, fists clenching as he looks at me one more time. “Grab the slowest horse,” he says between clenched teeth.
“On it.” He gently pushes me aside and walks over to Darcia, still on the floor, eyes wide with fear as he crouches before her.
“You know I can call a challenge and no one would disagree with it after what you have done.”
“I didn’t—” his hand snaps out, gripping her neck, pulling her closer, inches from his face.
“I could snap your fucking neck right now,” he hisses. “I wouldn’t hesitate, I wouldn’t think for more than a single second to make the decision to end your fucking life.”
She’s crying now, sobbing as she grabs his wrist, just like I did with her.
“You know our culture sees men and women as equals, that if I were to hurt you the way you hurt her, it would be upholdingourlaw. But know this.” He shoves her back down on the ground as Kaldar appears with a brown horse. “Even if it wasn’t, I would still rip your fucking head off. The only reason you are still intact is because of her.” He points at me. “You don’t deserve what she’s given you, but if I ever see you again, Iwillkill you. Understand? She won’t save you again.”
“Please, don’t make me go. It was all her! She’s evil, she’s an elf! How can you trust an elf?!”
Sigrid steps closer and nods to Rohan. “I hope I am not encroaching here.”
“By all means,” he growls.
“I’ll see to it that she leaves.”
