“That’s one of the reasons why I chose it,becauseit’s so different from Ashven,” Rafe finally answers. “In Ashven, everyone always wore a mask, hiding their true expressions, emotions, and identities. No one was honest, and it was exhausting to figure out people’s real motives and attitudes.
“In Sevrin, what you see is what you get. The island isn’t hiding behind some facade of beauty, and there’s no desire or need to be anyone else. It’s real. Honest. Pure.”
Callum shuffles in his seat, and I can tell something Rafe said was directed towards him. Did Rafe believe that Callum was fake? Sure, I’d seen different versions of Callum, but everyone has different sides to them. No one is two-dimensional. And Callum is honest with me, or so I presume.
“The Traps were like that, too,” I respond, trying to keep the conversation flowing as much as I can. “For all the parts that were miserable, I alwaysknew where I stood with everyone. Always knew my place.”
I appreciate the fact that Rafe wanted honesty. My time in the Traps had turned me into a very blunt person; there was no reason to lie, and everyone found out everything anyways. There was no real sense of security or self-preservation or privacy.
I hadn’t had a lot of time or opportunity to explore Ashven outside of the library, but I could imagine that it was a very political scene. And where politics were, liars emerged.
“The Traps?” Rafe asks.
“The labor camps in the desert. People call them the Sand Traps,” Callum interjects. “That’s where I found Elia.”
Rafe grunts in interest, but doesn’t respond to Callum.
So much for trying to mend their relationship.
The door slams open and Ginna appears, out of breath.
“Okay,” she pants. “Three horses are obtained and packed with our belongings.”
“Three?” Callum asks.
Ginna throws him daggers. “That’s all I could find at the last minute. You’re lucky we have any.”
“I’ll ride with Elia,” Rafe taunts, a smirk on his lips.
“Not a chance.” A growl escapes Callum’s mouth.
Rafe rocks back on his heels. “I want to hear more about her stint in the camp. It’ll be a good opportunity to get to know her.”
I know he’s only trying to push Callum and make him jealous, but this would be a good chance to talk further with Rafe, to see if I can’t push him to talk to Callum.
“I’ll be fine, Callum.” I plaster what I hope is a reassuring smile on my face. I clap my hands together. “Should we start moving then? While it’s still light out?”
???
As I slide in front of Rafe on the horse, I realize that agreeing to ride with him may have been a bad idea. His body is warm behind me and he smells of bergamot and leather, two scents I hadn’t thought would work together but very much do.
Rafe and I are in the front, leading the way, and Ginna and Callum follow our flank behind in a triangle formation.
Rafe shifts closer on the horse, body glued against mine, and tightens his arms around me that are gripping the reins.
“Stop trying to purposely upset Callum.” I try to shift away from him, but his grip is iron around mine.
“I don’t know what you could possibly mean.” His chest vibrates as he fails to stifle his laugh. “I’m only enjoying the ride.” Rafe grinds his pelvis into my backside as he says that.
“You’re a scoundrel,” I spit out.
“A pirate, some might say, actually.”
“Same difference.”
He laughs again. “You’re not what I would picture Cal’s girlfriend to be.”
“Oh? And what were you imagining?”
