“Bound by Fate,” Rafe repeats the ring’s inscription. “I believe that, and you have to, too. Somehow, Cal and I have always found our way back to each other, and we will again. You’re a part of it now, bound to Callum through whatever destiny the world has for us. We’ll see him again.”
There is a strength and confidence to Rafe’s voice, a tone that allows me to believe in a world where the three of us are tangled together in a woven fate. A future with no lies or half-truths or omissions, but of love and joy.
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
“Okay, I’ll stay in Sevrin.”
The grin that spreads across Rafe’s face tells me I made the right decision.
Chapter 33
Callum
There have been few occasions in my life where I’ve felt wholly out of control. The first was when Rafe’s mother died from illness. I would have done anything at that time to have Rafe avoid that grief, but there was nothing I could do to save her. Then it was the helplessness I’d felt when Rafe never returned, and I had no way to contact him. On my worst days, I had nightmares that he fell into some tragic accident which is why he never came back. And again, there was nothing I could do.
Even with those two memories of my past, I still never felt as out of control as I did in that moment on the cottage porch. I felt as if I was stripped bare and whipped in front of all of them, each strike revealing a truth down to my bones.
Hours ago I was envisioning a life with Elia and possibly even Rafe again; a future I’d only ever dreamed about.
Now, I doubted either would talk to me again.
Why are you still a Hunter?
Elia had asked me that after she saw me brutalizing the pirates, and I had admitted to her that I didn’t enjoy violence, and I don’t. But violence and cruelty have been a part of my life since I was old enough to raise a sword. I don’t know a world that exists without them.
“I owe the King my life.” That had been my answer to Elia’s question then, and I state it aloud now because it is still true.
“I know, Cal.”
Ginna is the only one still with me. We are sitting on the bottom steps of the porch, Elia and Rafe long since gone in the woods and Adrienne having retreated back inside the cottage.
“He’s the King. I’m his Lead Hunter. Of course I follow his orders. That’s my job.”
“And if you weren’t a Hunter, what would be left? Who would you be?”
It’s a rhetorical question. Both she and I very clearly know that I am noone without being a Hunter. It’s the only life I’d ever known and wanted.
“Why didn’t you tell me that you’re going to be named as heir? Or tell Elia of your involvement in the Hunt?”
I’ve always appreciated Ginna’s candor, her willingness to jump into the issue right away and set me straight when I needed it.
I stare out into the surrounding forest, hoping there would be answers written on the trees that would make sense to anyone other than myself. Sharing information led to people close to me getting hurt, and I never wanted to afflict any pain. But what harm would have come if I told Ginna that I was to be heir?
“I don’t know.”
And I didn’t. I hid behind the walls I built, I thought, for other people’s protection. Or was it for mine? And even with the walls up, I apparently still hurt people.
“I don’t know what to do, Gin.” I hate how scared my voice sounds.
Ginna blows out a breath. “I can’t tell you what the right answer is. I understand your mindset that you owe the King this complete devotion and dedication, I do. But you’ve paid whatever debt you think you owe, and then some. You don’t owe him your life, and you especially don’t owe him your soul. You need to decide if this is the path you want to continue down. If the King is the person you want to become, because that’s the way it’s heading.”
I remember the King’s cruelty, all the punishments and inhumane lessons he gave me. Then I think about Elia’s smile and kindness to strangers. Rafe tucking me into bed and tending to my injuries.
And lastly, I come to the same realization that Rafe must have had all those years ago. That I don’t deserve him or Elia.
“We should leave,” I tell Ginna abruptly.
