Page 46 of A Warrior's Heart

“Us,” I whispered. “About what we spoke of last night by the stream.”

“I have given it much thought,” Malik said. The softness in his eyes fled and left behind something darker. It was as if he’d put on a mask, hiding from the world. Hiding from me. “We will be as we’ve always been… me as your shield.”

“You are more than my shield.”

“I can be nothing more.”

The center of my chest cracked. “I don’t accept that answer.” With two big steps, I closed the gap between us and craned my neck to look up at him. “I want you by my side, not only as a guard. You said yourself that you feel the connection between us. You want me too.”

“It matters not what I want.”

“Stop this,” I said through gritted teeth. “I see through your act, Malik. You think to protect me by pushing me away. But you’re not protecting me. You’re breaking my heart.”

“Your heart was never mine to break,” Malik responded, softly caressing my cheek. He let his hand fall as he took a step back. “It is better this way, young one. Trust me.”

“Idotrust you, you infuriating warrior.” My vision blurred, and I blinked away the tears, hating the show of weakness. “Is this because I shied away from your touch? Don’t give up on me so easily. Please.”

“I’m not giving up on you. I only… we can’t…” Pain clouded in his orange eyes. Then, the barrier returned. “We will discuss it later.”

Gods, he’s so stubborn.

“A moment of your time?” Phantos asked, exiting the cave. His chiton hung off one shoulder, and his pale skin glowed beneath the moonlight. Blond bangs covered his eyes.

How did he manage to see through them?

Malik nodded. When I continued walking to give them privacy to speak, he gripped the back of my shirt to hold me in place.

The seer stepped closer. “I saw more in my vision, but I thought it best to keep it from the prince.”

“Why?” Malik narrowed his eyes.

“To spare him.” Phantos looked up at the stars. “Knowledge can be as powerful as a forged blade. It can cut the same too.” He focused on me, then back to Malik. “Both of you have roles to play before all of this ends.”

“Me too?” I asked.

“Yes.” Phantos bowed his head to me. “A time will come on this journey when all seems lost. A path will present itself to you, Troy, and your decision will be monumental to Prince Lorcan’s success in this fight. And I pray that courage be with you when that time arrives.”

“What path?” Malik held onto me a little tighter. “Stop with the riddles and tell us.”

“I cannot.” Phantos placed a hand to his chest, and I caught a flash of his pale blue eyes as they focused on me through his bangs. “The choice must be made freely. From the heart.”

Nerves wound through me.

“And what is it you wished to keep from the prince?” Malik asked.

“That the fate of Avalontis and its people rests on his shoulders most of all,” Phantos answered. “It is a heavy burden to bear.Victory will not come easily, and if hedoessucceed… he will need to sacrifice the one thing he’s fought for his entire life. His freedom.”

“What do you mean?” I stepped toward the seer. “What will happen to Lor?”

“I have already said too much, I’m afraid.” Regret filled the seer’s voice. “Yet, I couldn’t allow you to leave without telling you. This journey is greater than merely finding the trident. Locating the weapon will be an easy task compared to the rest that follows.”

Compared to the rest that follows.A fight with King James perhaps? The battle Lorcan kept seeing in his dreams?

“Tell me one thing, seer,” Malik said. “How many of us will fall?”

Phantos stared at Malik as several quiet seconds passed. Just when I thought he wouldn’t answer, he said, “If you fail? Streams will run with the blood of your people. The human king will gain control of the land and sea. You, Troy, the prince… all of you will fall.”

“And if we win?”