he murmured, his thumb tracing a soft circle on my jawline. “Just like your other abilities. You don’t burst into flames or create tempests, Ana. That’s because you control them. If you want to know who I am, then focus on it and see it. I cannot be the one to tell you. I don’t want you to run from me. I want you to take time to come to terms with it. Please. It’s important that you do. It’ll save many people.”
“Tarek, how do you know so much?” I murmured, gazing raptly at his handsome features. “You speak as if you’ve seen it all.”
“Perhaps I have,” he answered softly. “Or maybe I’m very good at guessing. Please tell me what you know, Ana. I won’t tell anyone unless you want me to. I swear to you on my life. I know you saw more.”
“Zaros wants me to go. He’s drawing us there. He needs me for something. He has a plan. It’s a terrible plan. It’s…it’s not all in that small village. He ... plans other things.”
“Why wouldn’t you tell us that?” Tarek studied me, his brows crinkled. “What other things?”
“I-I don’t want to be left behind, to be protected and coddled like a helpless child. I want to destroy the man who took my world from me. I need to. If I get the chance, I’m going to. This could be in. And I don’t know what other things, Tarek. I didn’t see that far. It’s more of a feeling I got.”
“Ana, you aren’t ready to face him,” Tarek replied sadly, his hands now firmer on my face, his eyes desperate. “Not nearly ready. You aren’t that great at your wielding. Your sword abilities are lacking to say the least. Please, let us protect you. I, too, have those feelings you have. Something else is afoot.”
“You’re going to tell Kellin and Soran, aren’t you?” I frowned.
“No,” he sighed, his hands falling away from my face, leaving me to feel empty inside. “But I am going to keep an eye on you. Promise you’ll stay back when we get to where we’re going, and you won’t jeopardize your safety or the lives of our men to seek revenge. Promise me, Analia.”
“I promise.” I bit my lip, upset he was so protective. I’d hoped he’d be more lenient, but I’d put my hope in the wrong place.
The sound of hooves ended our conversation. A small smile touched my lips as Soran and Kellin came into view on their horses.
“Do you really love him?” Tarek inquired.
I turned to look at him, surprised at the question.
“I-I care about him,” I replied, frowning at my answer. “No, I mean, I do love him. Why? Does it matter? We’re going to be married. Letting myself fall for him seems like the obvious thing to do. My father made the arrangements. I’m following through with them. It doesn’t matter my feelings on it.”
“Why doesn’t it?” Tarek challenged. “If you only love him for the sake of an agreement, then you’re not doing either of you any favors. He lied to you, Ana, and he’s still lying. You do realize that you were given to another, correct?”
“Yes, and Calix is gone now.”
“No, before Calix. You were set to marry another. His brother, Xalvador.”
“And, like Calix, Xalvador is gone.” I sighed, not understanding why we were even having this conversation.
“The laws state that in the event a betrothed is found to be alive, the arrangement must proceed as planned. Your father didn’t disagree with the arrangement for you to marry Calix’s brother, and I very much doubt he’ll plan a meeting with Zaros to cancel that arrangement.”
“What are you getting at, Tarek?” I asked, frustrated, glancing at Kellin who was dismounting Starfall.
“Nothing. I’m only saying that as the Princess of Dar’ish and of Winterset, you should learn the laws. Kellin might not be the one you have to marry. That’s all I’m saying. It’s what I was saying to you weeks ago.”
“Why? Did Xalvador not die?” I demanded.
“Oh, he died.” Tarek sighed. “It’s just a bit of information I was putting out there for you. Just so you’re aware of some of our laws. Who knows. Nothing is what it seems, right?”
“Tarek, just say what you want to say, OK?”
A muscle popped along his jaw before he spoke in a low, rushed whisper, “Fine. Cyrena was once Kellin’s betrothed. The arrangement ended because your father wanted you to marry him instead of Calixto Shadowmoore. However, Cyrena and