had him.
Cheers erupted all around us, and heat swept over my face as Soran pulled me off Tarek.
“Incredible! If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’ve been training for years,” Soran exclaimed, patting me on the back. “And here I was worried you couldn’t handle yourself. You took down Tarek, one of the best fighters in all of Winterset.”
I grinned stupidly and was surprised to find Tarek still smiling at me. Knowing how he was, I figured he’d have gotten mad by now, but he hadn’t. Instead, he looked proud of me, and if I wasn’t mistaken, a little relieved.
Chapter 45
Seeing me take down Tarek seemed to give the troops a renewed sense of hope, and it put me in a better mood. I was sitting outside my tent alone, watching everyone eat and talk, when Soran approached and sank down beside me. He offered me a flask. I took it and swallowed quickly, noting he had honey rind tea in it, not water.
“So, you and Kellin, huh?” he said after a moment of silence.
“Yep,” I muttered, my mediocre mood dissipating.
“Ana, I don’t know what’s going on between you and Tarek, but please, give Kellin a chance.”
“What?” I feigned dumb. “There’s nothing going on with me and Tarek.”
“Ana, I’m not blind,” he said gently. “I saw the way you looked at him today. And I see the way he looks at you every day.” He grew quiet for a moment before speaking again, “I saw you two in the woods earlier. I saw the flame and decided to check on you. Do you know what I saw when I arrived?”
“What?” I answered thickly, fidgeting.
“I saw a man who cares deeply for my sister helping her. I saw him holding her. I saw her not pushing him away. I saw the nearness between them, and not just physically. The two of you working together is incredible, Ana. But it’s more. You know what I’m talking about. When did it all start?”
“Nothing started, Soran,” I whispered. “I-it’s true. I do feel something when I’m with him. I feel drawn to him. There’s a pull when I’m with him, and it’s not something that’s always been there. I mean, in the beginning there was a familiarity, but it’s grown since then. It’s a strange feeling… like I-I belong with him. Or to him.” The moment the words were out of my mouth, my heart slammed into my chest. It was similar to a feeling I’d had with Calix. It was easier here. Maybe easier was better. My wielding was better. I was stronger. I was ... fiercer. Maybe it all had something to do with being back in Winterset, where I belonged.
“Have you two done anything together?” Soran asked, his voice low. “I know you’re a private person Ana, and the last thing you probably want to do is tell me, but I need to know. Kellin is my best friend, and while I’m angry with him now, I don’t want to see him hurt. And you’re my sister. I love you with my entire being and don’t want to see you hurt again.”
“No.” I shook my head, my heart speeding up at the idea of something like that with Tarek. It hadn’t crossed my mind that it could happen, although I knew deep down it had to have been lurking. “Never.”
“Good.” Soran breathed out a sigh of relief. “Kellin is worried something has happened between you two, and that was why you told him you were coming with us and not him. He’s hurting, Ana.”
“That’s not it at all.” I said angrily. “Tarek has nothing to do with this. Nothing. I’m mad because Kellin lied to me about Cyrena. I had no idea he was engaged before. Then I found out it hadn’t been officially dissolved, that he was majorly in love with her, and was forced to be with me. He tried to run away with her so he wouldn’t have to marry me. He spent time with her the night before our engagement was announced. I don’t even know if he truly feels for me or if it’s just another set of obligations he has to fulfill. And don’t get me started on having to marry someone simply because a couple of old guys got together and decided it. I said it before, no one decides who I’m going to marry. I knew it was a mistake to agree to this. I did as you asked, Soran. I tried.