Page 102 of The Freedom You Seek

I took a page from his book and growled at Dion as menacing as I could, which made him laugh softly.

“Don’t get into trouble, Nayana.”

“You neither. Blessed Samhain, Dion.”

He smiled at me melancholically before he turned around and walked toward Antas and Ireas, and I couldn’t help but wonder what he’d wanted to tell me, what rattled him enough to forget how opposed he was to let me chat with Bryon unsupervised.

I sighed but collected myself before shifting my attention to my old friend.

“Finally, I’ve caught you alone.” Bryon was all smiles as he advanced toward me, limping slightly, courtesy of his injury in the line of duty. “Would you take a walk with me, Nayana?”

I stalked toward Antas, wondering how it had happened that I’d almost spilled everything I’d worked so hard to keep hidden from Nayana. Bryon didn’t know, but for the first time since he’d appeared, I’d been grateful for him interfering.

I turned my head and zeroed in on the two of them, but when they walked away from the fires and the crowd, Ibecame suspicious. Even in my current state of emotional turmoil, my instincts urged me to follow them. Nayana would try to castrate me if she found out I was tailing her, so I stepped into the shadows and started my pursuit. Of course, only to make sure that she was safe, not to eavesdrop. It was a complete coincidence I could hear every word spoken and could see everything that was happening while I was one with the darkness.

It took me a moment to assess Bryon, and if I’d be honest, by my standards, he’d been found wanting. And he was walking too close to Nayana for my liking. Apart from that, he was looking plain, with his boring brown hair, hideous beard, and average height. Not even a man, more like a young boy, I realized. I’d never find him again if I lost him in a crowd, so unremarkable was his appearance.

As self-aware as I was, there was no denying that I was spiraling out of control after I’d kept my distance so well in the last few days. The only one to blame was this old friend of hers. Not that the boy would be a threat to me, but—I silently sighed, and since I was in the shadows, no sound was audible. Instead, the darkness rippled faintly.

It was a fucked up situation. I couldn’t want Nayana, and I’d never have her, but I was too much myself to allow anyone else to pursue her. Also, if I couldn’t have her, no one ever would. Did that make me a bastard? Sure, but I’d never claimed to be anything else. And in the end, wasn’t she always saying that she wanted to be independent? I was only making sure her wish would come true by keeping everyone away from her.

The two reached the end of the illuminated area and stopped walking. I moved closer while staying in my hiding place, pretending not to listen.

“Naya, I’m glad I’ve found you again and that you’re safe. You can’t believe how worried I’ve been,” the boy said and instantly continued, “Rewi and I tried to intervene that day in Credenta, but guards seized us before we could.”

Nayana smiled, and I fought the urge to storm over and make her stop acting so friendly. Why was I torturing myself like this?

“I know you would’ve helped if you had been able to. But you’ve been just as powerless as me. And in the end, I’m just glad everyone made it out alive.”

“Also, I want you to know I don’t blame you for what you’ve done. He had it coming, that bastard. I hope you don’t chastise yourself. Please don’t, Naya.”

Finally, something the boy and I could agree on. The younger Feroy had earned his death fair and square, and the same could be said for his father, whose signed death warrant had been lying in my mental drawer for the longest time.

“I’ve just defended myself. But Bryon, can we maybe not talk about that? I’d like to forget the whole thing.”

I wanted to comfort her as she directed her eyes to the ground. For sure, I could provide better comfort than the imbecile who, instead of hugging her—on second thought, maybe he simply knew what was better for his health—gaped at Naya like a fish.

“Have you heard from my parents?”

“You don’t want to know.”

“Actually, I do.”

The youngling sighed. “Your mother rarely leaves the house. Your father—he likes to tell everyone that, should you dare to show your face, he’d kill you himself and not in a quick or merciful manner. He’s blaming you for disgracing the family’s name. Also, they’re under a lot of pressure from Feroy senior. He’s fuming and desperately wants to get his hands on you, gossip says.”

“Yes, I know that bit. We found posters revealing as much, and we were ambushed by some mercenaries the King of Merchants had sent. But my men kept me safe as they always do.” Nayana had barely reacted when the boy mentioned her father, but I could see from her stiff posture that it’d gotten to her, but that she chose to ignore her pain as she’d done so often before.

“I don’t know how I feel about you traveling with five ruffians, Nayana.”

Ruffians?If the boy wasn’t cautious, I’d show him what rough was. Somehow, I was sure he’d hate that.

“Ruffians?Bryon, seriously? Don’t call them that. They’re decent people who saved my life more than once.”

“Some of them seem decent, true. Not all, though.”

Nayana’s eyebrow lifted. I moved to the edge of the shadow of my choice—I had to be as close as possible—and I was pretty convinced he’d talk shit about me soon. I wondered if he was jealous.

“Have any of them given you a hard time? Threatened you?”