Page 87 of The Warlord's Princess
I can’t help but notice that Ramsey has gone back to his coldness, which hurts more than I care to admit.
He told me he loved me—and risked his life to save me—yet this is how he treats me. Cold. Indifferent. Lesser.
I’ll never make him happy.
The truth is cruel, but there’s no point in denying it.
Despite his pain, Ramsey insists on carrying me, practically sprinting through the forest to get home before dark.
Eventually, we come across Gaerth, who was sent by Grixis to scout. He blows a horn, and a short time later, more Tempest men arrive, helping Ramsey and me to the village.
Everyone has questions. It’s Ramsey who answers them, telling everyone how I bravely approached the terragulf and saved him from certain death.
At first, people think he’s joking, and it isn’t until Grixis reminds everyone that he’s not a trickster that they turn to me with looks of reverence in their eyes.
They ask questions, but I tell everyone I’m too tired to talk, which isn’t a lie.
Grixis barks at the crowd to get to work, and I walk with Ramsey and a few others to the cleric’s hut.
“The wound is deep,” Orvell says, “but I could not have stitched it better myself.” He looks through a lens at Ramsey’s torn flesh. “What did you use to patch him up?”
“I have a thread that is fine, stronger than the others,” I say, pulling it from my pouch.
Orvell takes it, turning it in his hand. “Interesting. May I keep this?”
I shrug. “If you don’t mind the thread of lessers, sure.”
Kairi giggles. Orvell grumbles.
Once he’s done inspecting Ramsey’s wound, he tells him he must stay in the cleric’s tent for a few days to see how his flesh reacts to the thread. Predictably, Ramsey snarls, but relents.
“Could I have a moment alone with Ramsey?” I ask Orvell.
He nods, exiting the hut with Kairi.
“Thank you, strong Asha, for all you have done,” Ramsey says, his tone tinged with sorrow.
“It was my dumb idea to go out so far, so I should hardly be thanked, but you’re welcome.”
“The knowledge you have given our tribes is a gift to be studied.”
“Mayhap I’ll have you riding terragulfs one day.”
“I would say no, but then you would do anything and everything to prove me wrong.
Giggling sadly, I place my hand on his. “I have a feeling I may be able to strong arm Grixis into giving me a new workplace.”
“Nonsense!” Ramsey growls.
I lick my lips, drawing what little courage I have left in me to say what needs to be said. “I think it’s for the best.”
The torment that washes over his face makes me yearn to take it back, but I know what I must do. Staying with him would be torture, and I’m not naïve enough to believe he’ll have a change of heart. Even if he did, I’m not sure if he would ever be a suitable partner, capable of making me happy.
“Thank you for everything, Ramsey, but I’m going to move my stuff to the longhouse now.”
He nods curtly, looking deadpan.
After I leave, big tears well in my eyes, but I wipe them away, determined to get on with what I must do.
