Page 88 of Binding Fate

“Huh? Wait, yea.”

Something was definitely off. Warren was normally chattier than this.

Alzerion placed his hands, firmly, on Warren’s shoulders. It forced Warren to look at Alzerion. “Tell me. Whatever it is, we can figure it out, together.”

Warren swallowed. He shook his head and shoved passed Alzerion. Alzerion meandered around to see his face. There was this heaviness in his stomach, like a reactive volcano just waiting to erupt within.

Warren appeared paler than normal. He hunched a bit with his shifty gaze. Alzerion stared, waiting, back against the bark of the nearest tree.

“I did something. I couldn’t help it. You know howhegets.”

“Whoa,” Alzerion stretched out his hands. “What did you do?”

Warren began pacing as he scratched at his neck. “I was stupid, okay. I want, no, I need to tell you something but if I do…”

Alzerion felt that internal pressure tighten in his chest. He tried to pace alongside Warren. “Warren, please stop.” Alzerion sat on a large rock as he looked up at Warren, eyebrows squished together.

“You won’t get it. You won’t, just no. I shouldn’t have come.” He started to run through the woods.

Alzerion bolted up and dashed after him. He knew where this would come out, so he veered left, jumped over the large set of rocks, ducked under a low hanging branch, and caught his boot on a root of one of the sycamore trees.

“Ventus!” A burst of wind pushed against his body and he kicked off and sped off.

There was a chill against his back, but he didn’t care, it helped to increase his speed. It pushed him forward. When he reached the end of the woods he saw Warren approaching. His body hurled across the woods over and under tree branches until he collided with Warren.

He grabbed him and they fell to the ground as Alzerion said, “Absentis.”

The wind force was gone and he grabbed Warren and stood up. “What has gotten into you!”

Warren growled as he lunged toward Alzerion.He has lost his mind, Alzerion thought, as he pivoted to the side and grabbed Warren by the back of his shirt. In an instant, he grabbed his arms and twisted them in and up into a pretzel behind his back.

“Enough! I won’t be so kind or gentle if you keep avoiding me.”

Warren bucked against Alzerion’s grip, but he was no match for Alzerion in brute strength. Slowly, Alzerion felt Warren’s resistance give out. He loosened his grip on Warren’s arms as he uncurled his arms and they faced each other.

Warren raised his chin, “I told Ulbrick about you.”

“What did you tell him? I haven’t done anything, that I can think of.”

Warren’s gaze was unflinching. He could see that Warren may have regrets, but he also spotted rage. He ran his hand through his hair. “Don’t lie!” he spat. “Not to me.”

Alzerion stepped closer but Warren stepped back. “Warren—”

“What hurts the most is you- you didn’t even tell me about her.”

Alzerion felt a dryness in his throat. He focused in on Warren as he continued.

“I saw you kiss her. You said there was nothing going on.”

Alzerion felt like someone just gut punched him. “W-Wait,” he shook his head.

“It’s too late. Ulbrick knows. I-I, couldn’t lie to him.” Alzerion felt large a boulder was dropped on him, like he was being squashed, repeatedly. His mind was racing yet nothing seemed clear.

“How could you?”

“How could I?” Warren’s head pulled back and tilted. “No, how could you?”

“I didn’t tell you so you wouldn’t have been in this situation.” Alzerion moved closer. He looked him right in the eye. “I knew you would never be able to keep it from Ulbrick.”

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