The Devils Bargain

Chapter 17

"CHEERS!" Gregor raised his cup, and then swung back and downed his drink, then slammed it back on the table as everyone cheered drunkenly.

A second later, everyone followed and began talking loudly, congratulating each other as the crowd of townspeople who had come to watch the test applauded loudly for us, whilst also raising their cups.

Everyone this year had passed the test and slain their daywalker, only two being badly hurt, me and another girl who had also been pinned down but failed to grab her knife, but used her hairpin instead.

After I got the vaccine for the venom and had my injuries healed, Keial announced he wanted to congratulate us with a banquet, with as much food we could feast on, and a generous amount of fine wine and beverages.

Which leaves us to now, I was sitting at a table with three other guys who also did the trail, and Ash, who I still hadn't spoken to since I lashed out at him.

I knew I should apologize, I had taken my frustration out on him.

He was just trying to be nice and I saw that now.

I put my drink down and got up from my seat and then walked around the table to lean down next to Ash to talk in his ear, as it was too loud to shout across the table.

"Can we talk?" I asked loudly, making him shift to turn and look at me, and then slowly nod his head.

Ash got up from his seat and I figured the best place to talk was somewhere away from the banquet outside, so I walked over to the forest close to the celebrations and then stopped when I thought this was far enough.

"I wanted to uh, apologize about what I said." I said to him, as he stood and listened to me.

"I was under pressure to do well and I took that anger out on you, I see now that you were just trying to be helpful, and look out for me, so uh..." I clear my throat and rub my neck, anxiously.

"I'm sorry... and I hope we can become friends."

I had thought about what to say to him, and despite going over the words in my head, I felt more nervous saying it out loud, realizing now that I sounded like a girl.

"It's fine Felix, I know you didn't mean it." Ash laughed out and then came over to wrap his arm around my shoulder, grinning.

"Of course, we can be friends."

"I was planning on annoying you until you saw how great a friend I am anyways, so this saves me from making a fool of myself." He said seriously, making me laugh.

I couldn't help but look at him slightly shocked, did he really mean that?

"Oh, by the way- wow!" He whistled out, removing his hand from around my neck to lean against a tree.

"I had no idea you were such a badass Felix, at the end everyone was so impressed, even the King was moved, and I don't think I've ever seen him smile before... and then when you laughed, wow... I was speechless man, I still have goosebumps."

"Here, check this out for yourself." He showed me his arm and he was right, causing me to laugh.

What he said about the King surprised me, had he or anyone else really not seen him smile before?

I saw it all the time, even when I didn't want it.

It made my stomach flutter for unknown reasons, reasons that were too complicated to get into right now, especially since he was who he was, a King.

I hadn't talked to him since I entered the pit, but we had met eyes a few times during the celebration, which set me on edge, as the last thing he said to me played over in my head each time.