Page 42 of A Cruel Kindness

With great knowledge came great responsibility and all that. Though that conviction seemed to grow weaker by the second, telling myself I could have both.

I couldn’t. I needed to remain clear-headed and unattached.

Peter, surprisingly, laughed in response to the interjection. “We know, Young. No one can scrub the sound of your yelp from their memory.”

A shocked laugh bubbled out of my throat before I could stop it.

“You’re welcome!” another, more feminine voice sprang through the room. Young’s Match, I’d imagine.

Peter’s mouth curved into a rare smile. “Go on, then. Before Young and Kent start making a scene.”

The room erupted, everyone scurrying towards the exit.

It wasn’t until I took three steps toward the door that I realized I was holding Soren’s hand again, almost like it was a given.

If he noticed my shock, his only answer was to sweep his thumb over the back of my palm.

It took five minutes from stepping back out in the bright light to get to our cabin. In the short walk, I learned that I’d be joining Soren in his cabin—but of course.

When I’d chuckled and made a comment about him getting preferential treatment, he said, “I’m not special. It’s simply time. If you’re here longer than five years, you get a cabin.”

He was right, it might have even been a slight curse. We walked well into the thick forest, too far if you ask me, and over a small bridge that traversed a rushing river to find a cabin nestled in between towering trees.

It was bigger than I thought it would be. I expected a cramped tent with Soren, filled with the oppressive, distracting smell of him.

We were standing in front of a solid structure, wider than it was tall, with a small wooden porch that seemed like a gift. Especially when so few things were dedicated towards comfort and beauty in war.

“You guys get the left side,” a voice called from behind me. I turned to find Esme walking towards us with unnatural grace, like she was gliding over flat land rather than the muddy, uneven ground.

Ford wasn’t far behind her, scowl firmly on his face as he carried two bags over his shoulder. For a second, I thought he was carrying Esme’s bag for her until I realized that she had two of her own.

“Equipment,” Esme supplied easily. I really was thankful to have her here. Though I didn’t know how I felt about bunking up with them.

“Our stuff is in there, too,” Soren said, his breath coasting over the shell of my ear.

“What for?” I asked back, only noticing too late how close together our lips were.

“Go inside. Look around. Then we’ll all sit on the floor together and chat,” Soren said with a grin.

I pushed him away with two hands planted on his chest. Soren stumbled back, which was entirely his own choice. No matter how skilled I was, I wasn’t strong enough to move someone as big as him.

With a laugh under his breath, he scooped up my bag and moved easily up the stairs and into the cabin, veering immediately to the left. I might have looked at the way his legs flexed while he did it.

I had to do something to appease the Bond. It was currently prowling back and forth in my head like a caged animal.

My eyes were still on the door when Ford walked through, leaving me and Esme outside alone.

“You know, no one will fault you for giving in,” Esme said, and I turned to find her leaning casually against the banner of the steps. She had an easy confidence in her posture, relaxed even.

“I can’t,” I said in weak defense.

Esme took a step towards me, her eyes lighting with curiosity. “Why not?”

I almost told her. My mouth opened to explain why, but I stopped myself at the last minute. I imagined she kept enough secrets, she didn’t need mine on top of them. Instead, I said, “I imagine for similar reasons as you.”

It was half response, half question.

Esme chuckled lightly, shaking her head. “I don’t have reasons.”