Page 69 of Cheating Fate

“Talk to me, Vahl,” I said softly.

He placed his hand on the back of my hand and further pressed it against his heart. He sighed heavily and leaned back against me.

“I don’t know what I’m doing, Zha,” he said in a tired voice. “I’m not ready for this.”

I tightened my embrace and gently kissed the back of his head.

“Can anyone ever be?” I challenged in a gentle voice. “Fate chose you because you have what it takes. We all believe in you. And we’re here for you. I know this feels like an impossible task, but you’re not alone. We’ll figure it out together.”

“But my own army?” he countered, glancing at me over his shoulder. “We need ships, uniforms, equipment, weapons, logistics, healers, credits—”

“Vahl, stop!” I interrupted sternly when he seemed ready to keep going. “Yes, you’re going to need all of that. Yes, it is your army. But it’s also an unofficial sister division of the Tuureans. Do you really think our people would set you up to fail?”

I pulled away and forced him to turn to face me. He did so, although the same shame and vulnerability lingered on his face. It physically hurt me to see him like this and whipped every single one of my protective instincts into high gear.

“Veredia and Sarenia will fund your army,” I said forcefully. “There’s no question in my mind that Korlethea, Xelix Prime, and Braxia will do so as well. They wouldn’t just dump this responsibility on your shoulders without having planned for the resources you require. Frankly, I wouldn’t be surprised if Dantor also decided to contribute. After all, they are merchants, not warriors.”

To my shock, that last comment seemed to anger him.

“What do they even want with Gavin? And our fucking Oracles won’t see anything at all as to why we’re heading there and what might happen,” he snarled.

“If they’re not saying anything, it’s because there are good reasons,” I said in a soothing tone.

“Fuck their reasons!” he snapped.

I gave him a stern look. “Calm down, Vahl. You’re letting your emotions get the better of you.”

Even as I spoke those words, I touched his forearm and sent some of the appeasing waves of my kaa through him. His anger immediately faded only to be replaced by a distraught expression that broke my heart.

“I’m scared, Zha,” he admitted in a broken voice that shocked me.

I’d never seen my brother this vulnerable. Mind reeling, I drew him into my embrace, and he returned it with bruising strength, clinging to me like a drowning man. I caressed his hair, words failing me as I tried to reassure him.

A sudden knock on the door startled me. As if caught doing something he shouldn’t, Vahl abruptly released me, took a step back, and slapped his legendary mask of stoicism on his face. Although I understood his pride and need to display strength, repressing his emotions like this wasn’t healthy. It would only lead to greater problems down the road.

“Come in,” Vahl called out.

To my shock, it was Gavin who opened the door.

“Sorry to bother you. I was looking for Zhara,” Gavin said in a hesitant tone, his eyes flicking between us with a mix of suspicion and concern. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes. We were just talking,” Vahl said nonchalantly.

“Alright,” Gavin replied, clearly unconvinced.

He appeared to want to insist further, then changed his mind.

“I will leave you to it then. Poke me when you’re done,” he added for me.

“Will do,” I replied, my face feeling stiff as I smiled.

He nodded at each of us then turned to leave. Just as he reached for the door handle, Gavin paused, released it, then turned back to stare intensely at my brother.

“Something wrong?” Vahl asked.

“I know that look,” Gavin said.

My twin and I both blinked, confused by that cryptic comment.