Page 115 of A Clash of Stars

I nodded, then realized he couldn’t see that. “Yes, I understand.”

We stopped our trot, and Griffin got off the horse first to help me land gracefully on the ground.

He led the horse to the small creek, and the horse guzzled the water, obviously parched. Griff plopped down near the horse and patted the ground for me to join him.

“How are you? And I don’t want the fake version of whatever you’re going to say. How are you really?”

I sighed and pulled my knees up to my chest as I searched for what would be the most honest answer.

“Um. I think I’m numb. There are times I’m pulled to one emotion and other times I’m pulled to another. I go back and forth between them.”

I blew out my breath. “I just want to know what I’m missing. It’s like I have many pieces to the puzzle, but there’s one I am missing.”

I turned to look at him. I noticed his features, the soft hazel eyes, the long hair pulled into a messy bun, and the chiseled jawline constantly clenched as if he always held back what he wanted to say.

“I know what you mean. Evander is the best guy I know. He won’t share some things with me, but I know I must trust him. He has always had these nightmares about himself. In the dreams, he is this creature, and he can’t seem to shake the idea that it’s true. All he’s ever talked about is destroying this curse and finding you.”

He turned and faced me. “I need you to know that I’m well aware I’m not Ev, but I will protect you, and I am not worried about you putting up a fight. You’re fierce and scary.”

I laughed, and he nudged his shoulder into mine.

“I’m serious. You were the top-tier student in every training we had and every class. It bothered Madok that you were smarter than him and a better fighter. Evander tried his best not to be attracted to you, but have you seen you?”

I gave Griffin a side-eye. He never was one to stray away from an inappropriate comment, but that was him. It’s how he allowed his personality to show through, but sometimes I think it’s a cover for what’s deep inside him. I also wouldn’t dare tell him we were related because he would never stop asking me questions.

“Yeah, I’ve looked into a mirror,” I laughed.

“So, what’s the plan here?” I asked him.

He took a deep breath and stood up, extending his hand to help me onto my two feet.

“The plan is, we don’t have one. We deal with it the best we can. We fight. We kill. We move on.”

I blew out a ragged breath and looked at him with nervousness.

“Don’t worry. We have each other’s backs. There should only be two guards at the watch tower in Rhysette but just in case…” He tossed me an extra sword. “Kill them.”

He smirked and grabbed the horse’s reins walking him around to prepare us to ride, hoping to make it to the meeting point with Bethany and Lettie.

“You’ll hop on, and I will walk alongside you. They’ll see you first. They know they aren’t to kill you, just capture you.”

I laughed, “Yeah, well, we know how that worked out last time.”

Referring to the Variance, of course.

“Yeah, I’m well aware of that. I got you, though. No more assholes coming to ruin your day except the two guards that work for Alex.”

Ha. He called him Alex. Not even King Alex. Serves him right, he does not even deserve that respect.

We started walking and I realized just how much of a badass I looked. I had two swords strapped on my back, my hair was a wild wavy mess, I had blood stains from my father, and I was pissed. Powers and feelings suppressed in me for so long that I thought the next person to cross me would get an entirely different response from me.

Griffin hoisted me on the horse and let me take control of the reins. He walked steadily beside me on the side hidden from the tower. After a few minutes, the guard tower became more pronounced. Closer.

I scanned the tower and the guards noticed me immediately.

They started a quick descent towards me, and I felt my power surging inside me, nipping at my heels to be unleashed. I knew that I had the ability of nature and to read others’ emotions, maybe even minds. I should also be able to use persuasion and I was about to find out.

A small voice in my head told me it was okay to use the powers when necessary, and right now, it was.

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