A Prince Among Killers - By J. B. Redmond Page 0,91
repeated Raaf’s flippant observation in his mind, feeling a deeper truth associated with that statement, though he couldn’t explain the sensation, even to himself.
• • •
The morning of Aron’s birthday dawned bright and warmer than usual. He finished the fael’feis beside Zed, as always overly aware of Dari, who had danced across the courtyard beside Nic. She spent the greater part of her time with Nic now—though seemingly only as Nic’s friend and companion. Aron often saw them together, deep in discussion of some point or other, even loudly debating Fae politics, or whether or not the Stregans should remain in hiding. Yet they didn’t touch or gaze at each other, or behave as though they had deeper feelings.
“I don’t know enough to advise others on matters of the heart.” Zed inclined his head toward Dari as he buckled on his weapons belt. “But do you think it’s wise, not talking to her before you go to your trial?”
Aron said nothing, but kept his gaze on Dari, who noticed, turned her back on him, and walked away toward the wall of the Den courtyard.
Zed tracked Aron’s gaze, and elbowed him in the ribs to make sure Aron was listening. “She didn’t do anything to you,” he said as Aron coughed and wondered if Zed had broken a bone. “You said so yourself. I don’t understand why you’ve chosen to isolate yourself from Dari and Nic, but you’ve hurt them both. It’s unwise to face the Ruined Keep with so much unsettled between you and those you love.”
“All right, all right.” Aron held up both hands. “You’re right. And I’m an ass.”
“So do something about it.” Zed lowered his head for a moment, then raised it and met Aron’s gaze without a hint of his usual mirth. “I’ll be at the forge today. I’ll probably be there when you return.”
Aron understood Zed’s meaning, and watched him go without comment. He pitied the sparring partners Zed would face today, and wondered if any of the training dummies would live until morning. If his position and Zed’s were reversed, Aron would behead every last one of the straw men and barrel dummies they fought when no partners were available. It would be a reasonable way to burn through the anxiety and worry he would feel for his friend.
As soon as Zed was out of sight, Aron turned his attention to Nic, who was standing near the Den steps with Snakekiller. When Snakekiller saw Aron approaching, she withdrew with the quicksilver grace Aron associated with Stone Sisters, leaving Nic to speak with Aron alone.
“Hello,” Aron managed as he stopped in front of the friend he had avoided for days upon days.
Nic’s face seemed to shadow with frustration and unhappiness. “Did I offend you that last day we worked at graal training together?” He spoke in a rush, as if he feared Aron would walk away before he asked his question. “Did you see something in my mind when you possessed my will—something that caused you revulsion?”
Aron felt more an ass than ever, and he found it hard to force out what he needed to say. “No, Nic. The issue wasn’t yours. It’s mine alone.”
The shadows on Nic’s face deepened. “I don’t understand.”
“You’re my friend, Nic, and I love you.” Aron was surprised at the ease with which he admitted that to Nic. He had never expressed such emotion to Zed or Stormbreaker or even to Dari, though he had felt such warmth for all of them. “I can’t help loving you, and neither can anyone else.”
Nic obviously didn’t understand Aron’s many meanings, nor did he grasp the full nature of the task Aron faced. “I’ll come with you to the Ruined Keep,” Nic said. “I know I’ll be slow on the trail, but—”
“Thank you, more than you know, but I have to do this alone.” Aron extended his hand, and was gratified when Nic shook it. “When I come back, I promise I’ll be a better companion, if you’ll allow it.”
“I will,” said Nic, “though she might be a different story.”
He nodded toward an alcove in the Den wall, where Aron saw Dari standing behind a slight cover of newly budding ivy and morning roses.
“Please, Aron.” Nic’s tone dropped to a pained whisper. “Don’t leave her confused and uncertain. I can’t—it’s hard to see her so wounded.”
Nic’s words burrowed into Aron’s mind, and he well remembered how he used to hate Stormbreaker for hurting Dari’s feelings. Now he had done the same thing, though