“Right.” It was all she couldsay.
“Then, he tried to strangle me when I couldn’t help you, so I’d say we’re even, no gratitude necessary,” Calli continued with a shrug. “And, of course, there’s the issue that he was clearly using Hollow-born techniques against the dead with the snakes and all, even though his cuffs are supposed to restrict the Source. But, Rynna…what’s going on? This is more than just him not killing you.” She paused, whispering, “I think he might be in love with you.”
“That’s dramatic.” Rynna looked away, though she was curious.
How did you attack without the Source?
He smiled smugly.It is a pre-Source skill passed down in the blood. Similar to your wolf’s eye. I just learned how to use mine better, rather than covering it up all the time.
How did I not know this?She wondered, turning back to Calli.
The girl made a face, her nose scrunching up in clear disgust. “Guide Fenn is not going to be happy.”
Kaelith, meanwhile, was studiously ignoring them, his eyes fixed ahead.
“Let’s just get through this war. My personal life doesn’t matter compared to that.” Rynna sighed. “As long as Kaelith is acting in good faith as an ally, his reasons for helping don’t really matter.”
Calli folded her arms. “If you say so. But I still think you’re going to have your hands full if the snake over there starts acting like a love-sick puppy in front of the Commander.”
“Love-sick puppy?” Kaelith’s voice broke through, incredulous. He stumbled slightly, glaring at the girl. “I’ve been accused of many things, child, but that may be the worst.”
“Ha!” Calli spun on her heel, sticking her tongue out at him. “I knew you were listening.”
Kaelith’s eyes narrowed. His look was dark enough to make Calli unconsciously step back, bumping into Rynna, who caught her by the shoulders.
Rynna pursed her lips at Kaelith.Behave.
Exhaling in a huff, his posture loosened as he muttered, “My reputation is ruined. Ember Reach pups sticking their tongues out at me…”
“Whatever, snake.” Calli bent into a crouch, feet angled in the defensive stance of the Shadow Ember technique.
Rynna smiled faintly. It reminded her of Kaelith’s grumpy attitude with the village children of the Hearth. She had loved the way he’d scowl at them whenever they ran too close, his arms crossed, grumbling, yet somehow always managing to ensure none of them got hurt.
What will you tell him? Kaelith’s voice slipped into her mind, soft but insistent as he kept his gaze on the ground.
What makes you think I have anything to tell anybody?
Rynna. He kicked a rock, sending it skidding down the path.
She squeezed the bridge of her nose, wondering just what the hell she had gotten herself into and what exactly, if anything, she needed to tell Fenn.
I love him, Kaelith. Nothing between us, whatever we had, is going to change that.
Kaelith flinched, and for a moment, she thought it was a negative reaction, the way his body went rigid and his steps faltered slightly. But then she realized it wasn’t pain, it was a laugh.
I’m not blind, Rynna. His thoughts rippled through her mind.And you’ve made your stance and your choice very clear every time I’ve seen this new version of you since the Ascension.
Oh yes, when you killed the previous Ember Warden and kidnapped Novices for your experiments. Lovely time,Rynna thought, frowning. Then what do you want from me?
I may have…reacted poorly…seeing you again after so many years, attached to someone else.
She huffed to herself.
But things are different now.Kaelith’s voice slid through her mind.When you disappeared, what we had shattered.A pause, heavy and aching.And I…I took the jagged shards and broke them further, cutting myself in pieces. But now,somehow, they fit again. We fit again.
And she couldn’t deny it. Being near him felt like a balm on her soul, a soothing presence that calmed the darkest reaches of her mind. Not a replacement for Fenn, who brought her peace in a way only he could, but Kaelith offered something different, something uniquely his, something that made her feel whole in a different way.
Oh, Kae…The whisper echoed in her chest as her throat closed around it.
