Page 117 of Riftborne
“My father was a glorious prick, and there’s not much else to know about him. My mother is a socialite who only cares about her status and the next event. Does this suffice for my family history?”
“They sound great. I see why you turned out the way–”
“Therewassomeone who cared for me. Who I also cared for. She’s gone now.” His eyes were intensely focused on the road ahead. The smirk had disappeared, and his lips formed into a straight line.
I wanted to press further but I didn’t know what to say. I stayed quiet, giving him the space to elaborate if he wanted.
“Joline, my caretaker.” He swallowed hard, “That’s the woman who raised me. She died when I reached my twentieth year.” The words came out through a clenched jaw.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I replied softly, looking away. I had never seen him like this. His facade was normally impenetrable.
“And you, you were raised in the House of Unity,” he stated. I was unsure whether it was a question.
“You already know everything about me.” I reached down to adjust the reigns of my horse.
“I know the facts. I don’t know what your experience there was like.” I felt his eyes on me again.
“About like you would expect.”
“Coyness doesn’t suit you, Fia.”
I shot Laryk a scowl, hesitating before recalling the past. “I was able to form my own semblance of a family with the other Riftborne children. There were a lot of sleepless nights in the beginning. Kids missing their parents. I was too young to remember mine. The older orphans had a much harder time adjusting.” I took a deep breath.
“The people who took care of us were cold and distant and they never tried to explain to us what happened to our families or why we were there. We didn’t learn aboutthatuntil we got to school and weretaught about the uprising along with all the other kids in Luminaria. You can imagine how that went. Back then, we didn’t know to hidethese.” I held up my branding, and it reflected the fading sunlight.
Laryk was silent for a few moments before shifting in his saddle. “Our leadership missed the mark with certain situations in the wake of the war. I didn’t understand a lot of what was going on at the time, seeing how I was only ten years old. But in hindsight, I think it’s clear that mistakes were made,” he said in a lowered tone.
His answer shocked me into silence.
It seemed like an eternity had passed. I stole a glance in his direction to find him chewing on his bottom lip, brow furrowed. His hair had fallen back into his face, catching in the breeze. I didn’t want to break his concentration, but the silence was finally starting to get to me.
“I haven’t seen your red-headed shadow recently. Did you reassign her to something other than following you around and shooting me dirty looks?”
“Riftborne, you are vicious.” He smirked, eyeing me from behind his lashes. “Narissa is always on her best behavior.”
“Maybe you should remind her about the wholecamaraderieportion of your spiel.”
Laryk snickered, shaking his head.
“You seem to be implying that we’re together. We’re not.” he said plainly.
“Have you toldherthat?” I mumbled under my breath.
“It’s common knowledge that my priorities lie with my role as General. Commitment is out of the question. I don’t know how Mercer does it.”
I pushed down the unwelcome feeling forming in my gut. “Perhaps your problem is less about commitment and more about fidelity.”
“Monogamy is only gifted to those with little responsibility.”
Bursting into a fit of laughter, I had to steady myself. A few of the guardsmen looked back at us. “Whatever helps you sleep at night, General Ashford.”
“I’m surprised you’re using my proper title. Happy to see you falling in line.”
I searched for the right insult, but one never came. The back and forth had become tiring.
Nudging my horse with my heel, I trotted a few feet ahead of him. I stayed there for the remainder of the journey.
The guards setup our fire quickly once we found the campground in the foothills of southern Aedenvale. This was the General’s typical respite, being the perfect midpoint between Luminaria and the Western strongholds. The placement was tactical. With the rocky incline protecting us from the rear, we only had the defense of one side to worry about.
