Page 22 of One Last Promise
Chapter eight
Iadjusted to the lightof the fire as I opened my eyes.When I saw my surroundings, I remembered where I was: in a cave with aNoxlin.
“How did you sleep?”Darce asked from the far corner of the cave.“You seemed to have had a few nightmares.You glowed so brightly at one point that I had to surround you with darkness.You were a beacon to any beast hunting us.I was worried it might have woken you, but you calmed down.”My powers!Were they finally manifesting?
“My powers come and go,” I lied, sitting up and picking up my leather boots.“I don’t remember any nightmares.”
“You’re not in control of your powers yet?Are you immortal?”Darce questioned, moving a little closer to me.In the dim light, I noticed he was only wearing his skin tight trousers and vest.His dark armour had been removed, probably while he’d been resting.I could see every contour of his muscular body.His tall, strong frame was well defined.It was as perfect as his face.I would never tell him that I found him strangely attractive, but it made me wonder if Darce found me as vile as he had suggested.
“I have yet to fully come into my powers, and I’m not sure if I’m immortal,” I lied, pulling my boots on one at a time.“I am hoping Holy Ether will bless me with them once I have completed my pilgrimage to pay respect to Nantu.”
“Holy Ether will probably grant you higher powers if you take down a moon beast.”
“If you have nothing good to say aboutmymoon goddess, I suggest you keep your mouth shut!”My tongue was savage this morning.Perhaps it was everything I had gone through yesterday, but this male irked mesomuch.A small smirk played on his handsome face.Handsome.What was I thinking?
“I will try my best, but won’t guarantee anything.”He watched as I stood up and dusted myself down.“Maybe I should teach you a few moves with your sword.That way, when you threaten to gut me with it, youactuallystand a chance.”
“You would train me?”
“Not train, as such.I would simply give you a fighting chance to defend yourself if anything happened to me.”I didn’t like the idea of losing another protector, even if he was Noxlin.“Are you given any guidance at all by your general?”
“Female Dylin are not allowed to train for battle.”It was a small piece of information that I could offer him.We had been on many battlefields with the Noxlin.It wouldn’t have come as a surprise that females weren’t trained.Only a few powerful ones were allowed on the battlefield, and they were far from the front line.
“Interesting.My kind has always suspected as much.”
“My revelation won’t give you any advancement on the battlefield!Our light power is stronger than your darkness.You can’t defeat us.”
“Let’s leave the politics of war to our leaders, shall we?”Darce tilted his head towards the direction of the cave entrance.“We have bigger things to worry about.If you want me to guide you up the mountains, we’ll need supplies.Do you have any food?”
“I have corn bread.”I reached for my bag, counting the portions I had left.If we were careful, there was a month’s ration for the both of us.“I have a month’s worth for us if we’re careful.”Darce reached to take a piece of cornbread from me.The expression on his face when he put it into his mouth made me think he’d spit it out.
“That isawful,” he winced, trying to swallow what was left.“No wonder you’re all skin and bones ifthatis the food you eat!”
“It keeps for months!That’s why we bring it.Do you have any better suggestions on how we’ll survive without food?”
“How good are you with that bow and arrow?”When I frowned at him, Darce continued.“We’llcatchour meals.It’s what my kind do.We enjoygoodfood, no matter where we go.”
“I know how to hunt.”
“There was almost no hint of annoyance there, Alora.You’re learning.”I didn’t respond to his clear bait.All I wanted was to pay my respects to Nantu and get home as fast as I could.
We were using each other to stay alive.That was why we had this truce.Once Darce and I went our separate ways, we’d be enemies again.
Running him through with my sword was still the outcome I preferred, but I had to be sensible and vigilant.If I wanted to stay alive, I needed him alive, too.
“Eat some of this cornbread.”Throwing a piece at him, Darce caught it with ease, using shadows to guide it to his hands.“Whether you enjoy it or not, it will give you some strength to hunt.”
“For once, I agree with you.”
