Page 28 of The Knight
“Yeah?” I said, my voice low as I leaned my back against the wall and slid down.
“Are you okay?”
Was I okay? It was a loaded question, and if I got too into the real feelings there, I knew that I would have exploded.
“He likes you; I can tell,” I said, knowing that above all else, Emma needed a friend, needed reassurance. I was her guardian knight after all.
“There is something different about him, Ry; I don’t know what it is.” I knew what it was if what Shad had told me was true. I knew exactly what it was: the song. I had her melody memorized, and even though I couldn’t hear it, I hummed it inside of myself to the tune of my own melody. It wasn’t a perfect fit—my melody with hers—still, they did compliment each other so well. What we had, it was what most people wanted on Terra, even searched for.
“He has always thought that he could get whatever he wants.”
“He is not like that at all. You don’t know him the way that I do.”
“So, does it even matter what I say? Emma, I have known him for a long time.”
“I mean, I love you, Ry, but I need to grow up sometime, right?”
“This is hard for me,” I mumbled as I buried my face in my hands. It was the biggest understatement of my life.
“Ry, I—”
“I know. I’m sorry. I will fight for you.” The words just spilled out of me. If she didn’t know my pull, my vows, and my devotion before, would she know it then? I thought.
“Fight for me? Ryker, we'll always be friends.” Friends, she still thought friendship was all there would be between us. What I felt for her was so much more. The pull I had toward her was more than simple friendship. She was family; she was my duty. She was my heir, yes, but there was more.
“I don’t like change,” I said.
“Well, things change. That’s part of being human—and living. I am allowed to have more than one friend, Ry.”
“Look at you—all wise.”
She laughed, and I was comforted by the sound of it. “I know, I’m so wise, andyoushould listen to me.”
“I really need to go, Emma—” I didn’t have any place to be, but I knew that if I talked to her for too long, I would spill all of my secrets.
“Call me soon.”
“I will,” I answered, knowing that I would; I just didn’t know when “soon” would be.
“Thanks.”
“Love you, Emma. Have fun at the dance, but not too much fun.”
“Sure, Ryker.
Chapter 17
Iclicked Mary's number and held the phone to my ear. I wasn't ready for it.
"Ryker," Mary said in a quick snap.
"Upset?" I asked, trying not to laugh.
"This is just idiotic."
"This is what needs to be done." Before she could say anything else, I spoke again: "I won't be able to reach you for a while."
"What does that mean?"
