She didn’t think she said it out loud, but he replied, “More things than you would think.”
“So humble too.”
He sighed heavily. “Try again.”
She did, again and again, until she finally hit one of the rings around the center, and the blade stuck to the wooden board. He cleared his throat. “Good, Soren.”
“It’s not moving. People will be.”
Vane nodded once before picking up a handle of blades, and then, in a stream of motion, he began to throw them at the target, one after another. A muscle in his jaw flickered as shewatched him line the daggers around the center of the target in a perfect ring. She would have called him a showoff, but this didn’t seem to be about that. He appeared to be funneling his anger right into the target board.
But why?
The questions surrounding him were endless. She had no idea who he was, why he looked so much like the man in her dreams and visions, why he seemed to have any amount of care for her.
By the time he lowered his arm, she had worked up the courage to say, “Why did you bother earlier, with the men by the fire?”
He went still, though he didn’t look at her. “You said we’re not friends.”
“I did.”
She wasn’t going to back away from her words now, especially not with so many secrets still between them.
“Then it doesn’t matter.”
“That’s not true.”
He narrowed his eyes as he finally looked at her. “They threatened you.”
“They’re not the first to do so, and they certainly won’t be the last,” she replied softly. “I still don’t understand why you cared enough to say anything.”
“Who else will?”
Now, it was her turn to narrow her eyes. “I don’t need your pity, Vane. I’ve gotten this far without it, and though it hasn’t been easy, I know how to take care of myself.”
“I know.” His voice was a fraction softer now. “And it’s not about pity.”
“Then what?—”
“Evva!”
Vane shut his eyes briefly before turning to face the approaching commander. “Commander?”
Commander Eton squared his jaw. “You’re needed.”
“We’re in the middle of training.”
“And you can continue come morning. Go. King’s orders.”
Vane stiffened, his breath catching, just loud enough for her to hear it. He gritted his teeth and said, “Fine then.”
She wanted to say something to him, but she was not sure what. Goodbye? Good luck? She had no idea where he was going, or why he was on orders from King Johannas. In the end, she kept her mouth shut.
But just before he strode away, he caught her gaze, and she swore she heard him whisper,“Tomorrow, Soren,”though the commander didn’t appear to hear it. His fingers brushed her hand as he walked past her, back towards the camp.
The commander snorted softly, but all he said was, “Continue training for the rest of the night, Mise.”
She did not lower her gaze as she replied, “Yes, commander.”
