Page 18 of The Knight
“Stay away from her,” I snapped at him.
“Truly? Ryker, wejustdiscussed this. You had your time with her, and now it is my time.” Shad stood so calm, like always. “And do not act as if you can even sense my melody with yours so guarded.”
“She doesn’t like you.” I wished that it was the truth, and hoped beyond anything that it could be true.
“I am sure, even though you are becoming soulless, you can still sense her emotions and are well aware that you are wrong. She cares for me.” There of course was no doubt in my mind that he could hear her melody–and her emotions. She had no control over it. I was grateful then that Emma didn't know who she truly was either, that she didn't know she was a princess of Haleston. If she did know that, she would have been broadcasting it loudly within her melody, along with those horrible feelings she had for the prince.
“She doesn’t know how she feels. She doesn’t know everything about me. If she did, you would not stand a chance,” I said, grateful again that my soul was shielded so that I could hide somuch from him. Neither Shad nor Emma knew half of what I was or even half of what Emma was.
“I think how she feels is extremely clear,” Shad said with a smile.
“She is my girlfriend. Ask anyone at school; we are together,” I wondered as I spoke if anyone would miss him if he just suddenly went missing. I was pulling at straws there, but I couldn’t just watch it happen–him pulling Emma further and further away from me.
“You are betrothed?” Shad asked with a raised brow.
“‘Girlfriend’ doesn’t mean a betrothal; it is a courtship of sorts, but she loves me; she may have some feelings for you, but the feelings she has for me are much stronger,” I said. Telling lies was getting easier and easier. Betrothal? Shad had no idea of the half of it. I smiled at him.
“I did not know. You agreed to give me time with her. So I will be her friend.” He fixed his tie and looked at me as if he didn’t believe me.
“That–”
“What do you want from me, guard? I can not stay away.”
“I want you to hold off. I need more time with her, just a little more. If she comes to you, fine—but until then, give her space. If you confuse her anymore, I don’t know what will happen. She has been through a lot in the last few months. She needs her best friend; she needs me.”
“I am an honorable person, Ryker. I will wait, but are you ready for what will happen?”
“What does that mean?”
“It means that this connection I have with her is undeniable. It isn’t easily broken; it isn’t something that can ever go away. Even if she has feelings for you, I know how she feels about me.”
“You just met her. I have known her for years. I have watched her throughout her life.” I hoped that me sharing thatinformation did not give away who Emma was. I knew he probably suspected she was from Terra. I just didn’t want him to know who she was connected to, not yet.
“That may be true, but”—He paused and watched me for a moment. “We share a song, Ryker.”
“That isn’t possible. No,” I said, taking a step back from him.
“If you listened at all with your soul exposed, Ryker. She is—”
“Shut up.”
“What?”
“It means to be quiet. You can’t have a song. The Ancients haven’t created one in hundreds of years; it's a fairytale.”
“Maybe, this is what the Ancient One meant. Maybe, this is how Emma will heal Terra—with me at her side. Songs are real, Ryker. I told you that after the dungeons.”
“You by her side? Do you even hear yourself? You don’t even know her.”
“Our bond lets me know and understand her more than I thought anyone could ever know another.”
“Shad, I am—”
“Ryker, it is fine. I am not worried. I will take a break from her so that you can get your house in order. I am honorable after all and am not worried that time will lessen our connection. But, I have waited my entire life for her, and I will not stay patient for long.”
I wanted to groan. He was so annoying. Of course,hewould think anyone would be in love withhim.All he had to do on Terra was to let his soul sing, and every woman was a goner, but notmyEmma. She wasn't his, no matter if she thought that she was, or that she wanted to be.
“I appreciate it,” I said, dumbfounded.
