Chapter 118 CHAPTER 118
“Where are you going with that?”
I swirled around and to my shock, Erin was walking behind me, eyes devoid of the usual excitement they once held when talking to me.
“It's Master Florian’s sword. Kovar has been taken care of so there's no need to hold onto it anymore.”
“Hm. Thank you for sharing things about yourself with me now. I thought I'd have to wait for Asher to be an asshole and blurt it out to the entire Academy before I'll know what's happening with you.”
Yeah, about that.
Since I left Zade's house, I've been stopped by five people, the sixth, I had to run from.
‘How does he fit?’
‘What made you go past aisle five?’
‘Does he use his tail to fuck you?’
There were crazier questions than that, that's how messed up my morning has been.
“I'm sorry Erin, I didn't want to implicate you in my messy life. I didn't know it would come out this way.”
She let out a dry laugh.
“Do you know there are five seniors whose job it is to welcome newcomers into this Academy? But the Principal chose me. I still wonder why but ever since we met, I've been in your mess. I've tried to help you through it, I've sat with you in it, I've defended you in it. It hurts that you got to the part that's actually exciting and you kicked me out of it.”
“It's not like that Erin, I –”
“It's fine. Maybe I'm overthinking things.”
“Oh no, you're not. I was wrong keeping something of that magnitude from you guys, especially you. I swear it wasn't intentional, I just felt like a burden and I didn't want to add this on top of it. Also, I kind of was expecting you to tell me to stop seeing him.”
“But he's your Soul Tie!”
“I only realised that recently actually.”
“You were fucking him before you knew he was your life mate?” She gawked
“Shh!” I pulled her closer, “Not all the way. But I don't even think it's ever been an option to not be with him. All my worries, all the walls I'd built, he sailed above them without stress. He's so gentle with me Erin. He sees me, takes care of me. Before you, no one except my late mom did that for me. But still, I should have told you. I'm sorry.”
She sighed.
“It's fine. Apologies accepted. Where are you going to look for Master Florian?”
“He said to find him at the Dragon’s Pen or something. I think it's this way.”
“Wait, how did you know where the dragon's pen is?”
“Didn't you give me a map?” I tried lying but she was already shaking her head.
“The Pen isn't there. Seriously, Alira, you're already lying?”
“No, I'm not. I asked Zade.”
“Uh, you already have an unfair advantage. Be prepared for more hate from those girls in year three.”
“What?”
“They've been waiting to graduate so they can dig their claws in hot soldiers and Instructors and here you are, eating from instructor royalty. Anyways, I'm headed to the pool by the climbing mountain. I want to meet with Tamor.”
“Ooh, does Asher know he's been replaced in your heart?”
“I don't even think the bastard was ever in my heart. Taking over my mind like a virus? Yes, but seeing his facade wash over gave me a wake-up call. Besides, Tamor is the one chasing me and I like him too.”
“I'm really happy you found someone who doesn't take you for granted. Erin, can I ask you something?”
“Oh sure, what's that?”
I looked around, this path was less traveled so nobody was looking or coming this way.
I took a deep breath before I asked her. I was supposed to do the research myself, that paper that had been left to me suggested so but I won't have access to the Library again, back on earth, I'll always wonder about this and I was taking a shot in the dark but it was better than nothing.
“What do you know about the Zhar lineage?”
Her eyes widened, then her hands flew up and covered my lips, trembling.
She looked about, looking to see if someone was watching us.
My heart rate increased, what kind of family did I come from that the mere mention of it elicited this type of reaction?
“Erin, you're scaring me.”
“You should be! Who told you about that name?”
“No one.”
“Don't even start with this secrecy bullshit! If any soldier finds out you're mentioning that name, you'll be taken in for ‘questioning’ and that's it. No one will ever see you again.”
“Shit, why?”
“Because they're traitors to the crown Alira. And not the usual run-of-the-mill traitors, these ones nearly succeeded. Right in the middle of the war, when it was just starting, they took advantage of our King rallying around to get our defences up and they stormed the Palace. The entire Zhar family. Shit, I shouldn't be mentioning it.”
“They were caught?”
“Of course they were. They were dumb to even imagine that our King wouldn't find out. They were killed directly, no final flight. Every single member of that family wiped out. Their names blotted from every history book, that was their punishment, to never be remembered even though they were once pillars of our society.”
“Pillars in what way?” I asked, struggling to focus, to keep digging for information, even though I was crashing to pieces inside.
“They have powers that even the king covets. Look Alira, whoever mentioned this name to you wants you dead, period. I'm sure Kovar sent them to you, so when you mention it, you'll get dragged off to the capital and be slaughtered like an animal. Don't fall for it. Pretend this conversation never happened, alright?”
I pulled her into a hug, as a goodbye and so she won't see me breaking.
“I'll see you later,” she eased out from the hug.
“Alright dear, enjoy your date.”
I watched her walk away and then faced my own direction.
I was born into a lineage of traitors, wiped from the world.
My family didn't exist.
I'm truly, utterly alone.
No need to cry yet, I was still headed towards more heartbreaking moments anyway.