Fires of War (War and Deceit #4) - Erin O'Kane Page 0,36

Got it.”

Which is how I find myself running at his side through the mountains. We don’t talk, and I don’t think I could, even if I wanted to, my breath coming in heavy pants. I’m not sure how long we run for, my attention first lost in my thoughts and then focused on my surroundings.

I always imagined the mountains to be cold and devoid of colour, but here, it’s anything but. We are in another valley between two mountain ranges, and there’s a stream running through it, and where there’s water, there’s life. I’ve seen deer, hare, and so many different birds and species I’ve never observed before.

Eldrin starts to slow his pace, and I gratefully do the same. I began slowing much farther back, and I know he matched his pace with mine, although he didn’t say anything about it. I’d been expecting a comment about how unfit I was, or how lazy humans were, but had been pleasantly pleased at the lack of snarky remarks. Although my lungs burn and my legs are threatening to give out, I’ve actually enjoyed this, and I’m glad he made me leave the camp. The pressure I feel there to perform, to be what they expect, is making me feel…trapped.

Reaching a ridge, Eldrin comes to a stop and looks out over the valley, and as I join him, I notice his face looks peaceful for once.

“This is where I come when I need to get away.” His voice is soft, and I almost wouldn’t know it was him talking if I wasn’t standing right next to him.

Thinking of all the times he’s disappeared while we’ve been here with the tribes and looking at the view, letting the peace of the valley wash over me, I can’t say I blame him. I could stay here all day. “Thank you for sharing it with me.” I let my smile come through in my voice. Eldrin doesn’t always go about things in the way you would expect. I thought he was punishing me, but by putting my trust in him, he’s rewarded me with this.

I can feel his shock as he turns to stare at me, but I keep my gaze on the landscape, still admiring the beauty.

“Clarissa—”

I turn as he calls my name, just as the sun breaks through the clouds and lights up the valley, making it even more beautiful as the light glitters off the water. My eyes widen, my smile growing as I look around with a delighted laugh. When I turn my gaze to Eldrin, I see his eyes are still on me, his expression unlike anything I’ve ever seen on his face before. “Sorry, what were you going to say?” I ask, instinctively taking a step towards him, the warmth on his face making me want to be closer. I reach out to touch his arm.

Whatever spell he was under seems to wear off. Shaking his head, he takes a step back, looking at my hand as if it’s toxic. “We should go back.” His usual frown is back in place as he turns and walks from the ridge overlooking the valley.

“Oh,” I mutter, following slowly after him, trying to convince myself that the disappointment I’m feeling is because we’re leaving the valley and not because my time alone with Eldrin is coming to an end.

As the dagger swings towards my face, I arch my back, narrowly avoiding the blade as it arcs above my head. Swinging my staff, I raise it to counterattack like Eldrin taught me, aiming to disarm, and then I jab towards the attacker, but I’m too slow. They’ve already moved. The momentum from my failed attempt makes me stumble. Growling in frustration, I spin on my toes. Never leave your back unguarded. Eldrin’s words from his lessons are practically shouting in my head. Are you trying to get yourself killed?

My lungs burn as I bounce on my feet, my body sweating and exhausted as I face my opponent, who is watching me with his arms crossed. He appears completely unruffled, his eyebrow raised and his countenance completely unimpressed.

“What was that supposed to be?” Eldrin drawls.

Realising he’s not going to attack me again, I plant the end of my staff into the ground and crouch as I try to catch my breath, using the weapon to stop myself from falling over. “You’re too fast,” I mutter, rolling my head back to stretch out my aching neck.

When I arrived at the training area this morning, Eldrin