Page 37 of To Touch A Silent Fury

Finally, a trace of humour returned to his tone. “As you wish, my lady.”

I latched onto it with a grin. “Don’t start that, or I’ll be forced to call you ‘my prince’.”

But he only stared at my mouth, making no reply. Whatever this was, whatever had changed between us in the last few days, I don’t think I liked it.

“You look different,” I said, trying to dispel the tension.

“Good different?” he asked, a ghost of his usual smile flickering to life.

“You look handsome,” I replied. “But you don’t look happy to be out of your robes.”

He sighed. “I was never old enough to attend the balls before I went to Eavenfold. I don’t understand the customs, and my shoes are uncomfortable.”

I laughed, staring at his shiny black leather shoes. I twisted my own foot, showing him my slight heel. “Well, that makes two of us. At least you don’t have to dance tonight. I’m dreading it.”

Again, that odd silence fell.

We’d never been like this, there was never anything in our silences but comfortable companionship. This was different, and his stare twisted my stomach into anxious flutters.

I only waited, hoping he would tell me what was bothering him. He had been off all day, and I guessed it was jealousy. I’d always been his on Eavenfold. We were each other’s only friend, and now, he had to share my time and my attention.

He swallowed, and looked at the dark window. “Would you have rejected my favour, if I had offered it today?”

“Of course not,” I said with a nervous smile. “What might you have offered? A lovely grey piece of scratchy fabric? I’ve always wanted more grey in my life.”

He flinched. “I wasbeing serious.”

My mouth went dry, and all I could do was watch him, this boy I’d grown up with, as he ran his fingers through his white hair.

“When he called you perfect today,” Seth trailed off, before meeting my eyes with fervour. “If I had known the power in a simple compliment like that, I would have called you perfect every day.”

My heart pounded. “Seth—”

“No, I need you to know before it eats me alive,” he interrupted. “To me, you have always been perfect. Every single one of our Brothers saw it too, and that’s why they treated you so horribly. You terrified them, Tanidwen.”

My body shook with the words. Why now? Why today? I let out a shaky breath. “I don’t think that’s why they hated me.”

“Tanidwen Treleftir,” he said, stepping towards me. “When your Fate was read out, that you must wed the victor of the Games, do you know what my first thought was?”

I forced myself not to take a step back. “How unlucky?”

He chuckled a little to himself as he took another step. “No. I was far more selfish. The thought was, are Brothers allowed to compete?”

“Seth.” His name fell from my lips, and he stepped forwards once more until he was right in front of me.

He took one of my gloved hands in his. “The answer was no, of course. I asked Thread Ersimmon myself the night you were given the Fate, just before I discovered I was invited to attend,” he admitted with red cheeks as he rubbed the back of my hand.

I only stared at him.

“I know I am no fighter. I know I have no skill on horseback or with a blade.” He raised his tortured pale eyes to mine and gave me his saddest smile yet. “And yet I would have competed, if I were allowed to, for even the smallest chance of winning you asmy bride.”

If there was air left in that room, I had no idea how to find it. “I don’t know what to say.”

He nodded, and I saw then that his eyes were shining. “Then let me finish. I know you must do what you need to do. You deserve to have your power. Whomever you must marry, I will never desert you. I have my Service to do, and then I will likely be sent to Droundhaven. But I am here for you. Write to me. Visit me, if you can.”

“I will,” I replied. “I will write, and visit.”

He squeezed my hand. “You promise?”