Page 112 of Daughter of the Serpent

“You know why,” he said, finally turning, his eyes locking onto hers, darker than the shadows around them. He dragged a hand through his hair. “I already told you Sylvie, I cannot let anything happen to you. Not again.”

Sylvie’s heart twisted as she reached for him again, her fingers brushing his hand.

An ache stirred deep within her chest. By saving her, Haldor hadn’t just exposed their bond - he had also put his own standing in jeopardy. In a place where strength was revered and compassion was seen as weakness, especially toward someone like her, aligning with her was dangerous. Haldor had gambled everything, and now, his honor may be tethered to hers - a fate the village wouldn’t take lightly.

He let out a sharp breath, breaking away from her touch, hisfrustration boiling over. "I couldn’t stand there and let Bjorn toy with you." he snapped. "He’s ruthless, and he has no conscience."

"Maybe you should have." Sylvie’s voice was low, shame curling in a tight fist around her heart. "I made my choice, Haldor. I never would want you to sacrifice for me."

He scoffed, his lips curling into a grim smile. “Bjorn’s ax was inches from your neck, Sylvie. You were one breath away from - "

“I know!” she cut him off, her voice cracking. She swallowed hard, fighting the frustration bubbling up inside her. “But the last thing I wanted was to get you involved. I didn’t want you stepping in - ”

“You think Iwantedto intervene?" His words came cold, sharper than steel. "I shouldn’t have had to, Sylvie. You should’ve known better than to step into that ring with warriors who’ve trained their entire lives. With Bjorn who has been just waiting for any opportunity to kill you. Do you know how reckless it was for you to even be there?"

“I had to prove myself!” Sylvie’s voice rose, her emotions betraying her. “To them. Toyou. To Axel. It seems hardly fair that the rest of you take such a risk, and not I. I just wanted to be treated like everyone else - an equal.”

Haldor's expression hardened, his eyes narrowing. “And now what? You’ve made things worse. The elders, Rederick - they’ll be watching our every move, if they haven’t been already.”

"You think I don’t know that?" Her frustration flared, her heart hammering in her chest.

"You should've stayed out of it, Sylvie." He stepped closer, towering over her, his presence both protective and infuriating. "Next time, you won’t have me there to save you."

Her breath caught, the weight of his words sinking in. But she couldn’t let him see the fear creeping up her spine. “I didn’t ask you to save me, Haldor.”

“You would’ve been dead by now if I hadn’t.” His voice was low, almost a growl. “And if you think the elders didn’t take note of that,you’re a fool. The only reason they’re permitting you to go to the trials is because they know you won’t survive. Especially now with Bjorn ready to burry his ax in your back at any moment.”

She stared up at him, the tension between them so thick it felt like the air itself had tightened. Part of her wanted to scream. The other part wanted to crumble against the wall and cry.

Haldor shook his head slowly, his gaze piercing through her. “I won’t step in again, Sylvie. I can’t. Next time, you’d better be ready.”

Sylvie clenched her fists, her throat tight. She wanted to tell him he was wrong, that she didn’t need him at that moment, that she could have handled it herself - but she knew the truth. He had saved her life, and her heart throbbed with the knowledge.

“I’ll be ready.” She affirmed, her jaw stiffening. “In the meantime we should maintain our distance. They’ll be waiting for a mistake, some slip up to make it look like I’ve crossed the line - lost my purity, my charge. You heard Farga. He said what everyone is thinking - that I’ve bewitched you.”

Haldor laughed, the sound bitter and humorless as he looked away. “Maybe they're right.”

Sylvie bit her lip.

“Why else would I do this? Fling my reputation, everything I’ve worked for, into the abyss.”

Their eyes reconnected, and she thought she saw something flicker through them - weariness, resentment - she wasn’t sure, but it pained her all the same.

Her heart sank.

Despite her anger, her pride - she never wanted him to hurt, to suffer because of her.

"I am so sorry Haldor.” She said finally, her eyes casting to the floor. “I never meant for this to happen, to drag you down. I won’t do it again.”

“I think it’s too late for that.” His voice was resigned, the fight slipping from his tone.

“Then please, make nice with Rederick,” she urged. “You’vealways been one of his favorites. Tell him it was out of pity or some childhood loyalty - anything to get him off your back.”

Haldor sighed, scraping his hand down his face. “I’ll try.”

Silence lived between them, and the guilt came back to swallow her whole.

“I’m so sorry,” she murmured, her hand resting on his arm. His warmth seeped into her fingers. "I was foolish to think I could stand against someone like Bjorn, and I’ll carry this regret. But - ”