Revenge

Chapter 5

Hours passed but I couldn't sleep. I kept seeing the door close and Dante's form disappearing into the darkness. My chest hurt and I couldn't understand why. It's not like we were close but the thought of finding Dante's body in the morning made me feel sick.

It wasn't until brightness flooded into the room that I realized I had stayed awake all night.

I jump out of bed immediately, getting dressed and rushing out into the yard where I usually meet Dante. I wait by the stables, tapping my foot impatiently as the sun continued to rise but there was still no sign of him.

At this point, I was panicking. The past two days, Dante had been here at sun up. Now, it was already late into the morning and there was still no sign of him.

I went back inside, roaming the halls to see if I could hear anything about last night. Usually the servants would be gossiping about the latest body found but there was nothing. That was good, right? If no one was talking, that meant nobody had died last night. Nobody that had been found.

I go back out to the stables as afternoon approached and pace in front, ignoring the anxious looks of the stable boy, who had attempted to talk to me, but I was too lost in my thoughts to pay attention.

Then the heavy tread of footsteps had me snapping my head up to find Dante walking towards me. He looked the same as when he left last night, with new clothes as the only exception.

"Eli," he called, frowning when he noticed my glare. "What's wrong?"

"What's wrong? What's wrong?! I've been waiting here for hours, Dante! Hours! And you come strolling in here as if I hadn't spent the entire night wondering if I'd find your body in the morning because you decided to be stupid and leave after curfew and then you make me feel guilty for letting you leave and then you're not here when you're supposed to be here and-"

"Elliot," he was suddenly in front of me, holding my face in his hands. "Breathe."

"I am breathing," I gasp, heart pounding in my chest.

Dante's thumb rubs my cheek in soothing strokes until I manage to get my breathing under control. "Okay?" I nod.

Dante stepped back, hands falling away, much to my disappointment. "I'm sorry, I just thought you would want to sleep in. I didn't mean to make you worry."

"I wasn't worried!" I snap and at Dante's raised brow I say, "I was guilty. There's a difference."

Dante's smirk told me he didn't believe me. "Sure. Are you ready to go?"

I give a stiff nod, motioning for the stable boy to get our horses. Jumping at the sudden attention, he ran inside and returned a moment later with our horses saddled up and ready.

On the way, I couldn't help but ask, "Do you not have a horse of your own? You always come to the palace on foot."

"No, I don't. My family and I move around a lot so we never really had the chance. My father also thinks horses make us lazy."

"That's absurd," I huff. "They're practical. It takes far longer to walk places."

"I agree. I would like one but my family isn't exactly rich. Horses are expensive."

I didn't really know what to say to that so I remain quiet, thinking for the rest of the ride.

~

Dante did end up taking it easier on me and despite the late start, he allowed us to finish up before dinner. Yet, as we made our way back, I couldn't help but wish we didn't have to part so soon. Despite the bickering we found ourselves in, I did appreciate that he was willing to train me and I didn't want him to think that that was the only reason for spending time with him.