Page 112 of The Freedom You Seek

I’d already selected some choice words and insults to use on him, but Dion’s answer made me swallow them all. Instead, I wasn’t able to stop blinking. “You—what?”

“I apologize.”

“Oh.”

Chewing on my lower lip, I pondered on what to reply, but I couldn’t think of a fitting reaction to this rare apology. He’d thrown me completely off course. Instead of dwelling on what in Immaru’s name had just happened, I steered the conversation in another direction. “We’re taking the main road?”

“Yes.”

Ah, one-word-answer Dion was back. Couldn’t say I missed him.

“Is it safe?”

“Nayana, there’s something you have to get into that pretty head of yours. No matter where we are, even if we are forced to parade before the king himself, you’ll safe with me. Nothing will harm you as long as I’m here protecting you.”

Something had happened, I was convinced of it. I ignored the warm tingles that had erupted on my skin as I listened to Dion’s declaration and went into interrogation mode.

“You’re keeping something from me.”

“Yes.”

“Tell me—please.”

“No.”

Oh, how I loathed this man. “You’re keeping me in the dark all the time. I hate it!”

“Pity.”

Well, that sarcastic ass would suffer for this, I’d make sure of it.

“Dion! Spit it out.”

Dion then sighed as if the whole weight of both worlds rested on his shoulders—well, on second thought, maybe it did—and leaned closer until I could feel his breath tickle the shell of my ear. “Have you ever considered there’s a reason for us not sharing everything with you? And that said reason is because it’s safer for you not to know for the time being?”

“I don’t care if it’s safer. There is no need to coddle me and keep me in the dark all the time. I’m not some kind of delicate flower that can’t stomach to know what’s going on.”

“You may not care, but I remember very well that you’ve agreed to let me decide about all things concerning your safety. So no, Nayana, you’ll have to accept that I’ll keep factsfromyou that are inconsequentialtoyou, no matterhow much of a wild weed you are compared to a delicate flower.”

Whenever Dion used the terminconsequential, I wanted to strangle him or at least throw something hard against his head. And at the moment, I also wanted to push him off the horse for his stupid play on words. Irritated, I scratched the persistent itch under my collarbone. “Sometimes you are insufferable.”

“Only sometimes?”

“Oh, shut up.” The movements of the horse didn’t help my hangover at all. “We’re riding fast.”

“Will you stop it?”

“It was just an observation.”

“Keep your observations to yourself for a while.”

“What if I don’t? Will you resort to dirty tricks to shut me up again?”

Oh gods, I hadn’t said that, had I? I’d sworn to myself I’d bury the cursed kiss deep in my memory and never even hint at it again. Well, didn’t that work out splendidly?

“If it’s the last resort to silence you, you’d leave me no other choice. But since we are in a hurry, I prefer you’d do the smart thing for once and stop pestering me with all your questions.”

“Well, and I’d like you to share what you’re keeping from me, but I guess we’re both not getting what we want, Dion.”