AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That’s why you’re a warrior,” Kenrik said.
“Don’t remind me.”
“How are you recovering?”
“What do you think?” I asked.
“You seem fine, but you’re not. I can tell you’re hiding your distress. I can’t help you if you aren’t honest with me.”
“Kenrik, I feel hollow.”
“Let yourself grieve a little longer,” he said. “Then we can work on healing. But don’t hide your grief from me. All right?”
“All right.”
“If you’re breaking down, you can come to me, anytime, day or night.”
“Don’t you think that’s a bit much?” I asked. “I wouldn’t dream of imposing on you in such a way.”
He sighed. “Tiwlip has brought Brenin to me in the middle of the night.” Kenrik lowered his voice so Brenin wouldn’t hear. “He cries with nightmares.”
“That’s sweet. She really does rely on you.”
“A bad habit that’s going to be hard to break.”
“You don’t think you could love her?” I asked. “Not even to take care of Brenin?”
Bored with the prism, Brenin wandered over to a window and huffed his breath on the glass. He drew squiggly patterns.
Kenrik scratched a fingernail over the fabric of his breeches, worrying the material. “I don’t know if I can.”
“You probably shouldn’t lead them on much longer.”
“Then I’m a fool. If I tell her now, I’ll have to endure her heartache over the winter. It’s too late for them to return to Hyledd. And if I delay all winter, then I tear her heart out before she leaves.”
“Tell her sooner rather than later, Kenrik. Keeping the truth makes telling it more difficult in the end. Trust me.”
Kenrik nodded. “Since we are exchanging confidences, Niawen, I’ll tell you something so you can prepare yourself. Given how you’ve been through a recent trauma and how you’ve admitted you’ve been in love, you must know.”
A slight irritation niggled Kenrik, and concern drifted from him.
“What is it? You’re making me stress.”
“He’s going to ask you to marry him.”
I choked on my own saliva and immediately coughed. “Who?”
“Niawen, are you all right?” Kenrik asked.
“Who?” I beat on my chest.
“Kelyn.”
I squeaked. “You can’t be serious. Kelyn won’t ask me to marry him. He can’t. I’m not ready!”
“He’ll wait until you’re ready. Believe me.”
“Kenrik! I can’t marry Kelyn. He wants to marry me because I’m special. He doesn’t love me.”
