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" You know how to keep me waiting,
I know how to act like I'm fine
Don't know what to call this situation
But I know I can't call you mine "
―I CHIDE MYSELF when my gaze immediately snaps towards Yi to see her expression. I don't have time to read the surprise in her eyes because Mal shoves the table aside and grabs me by the collar, slamming me against the tent post. I grimace slightly as my sore back hits the wood but don't retaliate, trying to stay reasonable.
"Easy, no. Mustn't get blood on the uniform. Let me explain―" I start.
"Try explaining with my fist in your mouth," Mal growls.
I twist free from his grasp and pull the knife I concealed in my sleeve out. The blade gleams. "Step back, Oretsev. I'm keeping my temper for the ladies' sakes, but I'd just as soon gut you like a carp," I warn.
"Try it," the tracker snarls.
"Enough!" Alina shouts, and a bright cloud of light blinds both Mal and I. I shield my eyes, momentarily distracted. "Sturmhond, sheathe that weapon or you'll be the one who gets gutted. Mal, stand down."
I release a small sigh of exasperation before tucking away the knife. The light wanes and disappears. I blink away the blind spots in my vision, eyeing Oretsev warily. Then I turn to look at Alina, straightening the sleeves of my uniform.
"I'm not proposing a love match, you heartsick oaf, just a political alliance. If you'd stop and think for a minute, you'd see it makes good sense for the country," I state.
Mal lets out a dry, sharp laugh. "You mean it makes good sense for you."
"Can't both things be true? I've served in the military. I understand warfare, and I understand weaponry. I know the First Army will follow me. I may be second in line, but I have a blood right to the throne."
The tracker points a finger in my face. "You don't have a right to her. Alliances can be made in other ways. You could marry Yi instead, for Saints' sake."
I cast a glance over at Yi. She looks incredibly uncomfortable, arms folded over her chest, fork still gripped tightly in her hand.
"Why not marry Yi?" Alina chimes in. "It would be just as beneficial."
Yi regards all of us. "You can't be serious. I'm not a Sun Summoner. I don't even have a right to the Taban throne. I'm not exactly good for anything but putting a threat above my aunt's head," she deadpans. Her gaze is sharper than usual and it pins on me, almost accusingly.
