"You did what?!" Tanner fumed as he paced back and forth in front of me while we were all gathered in my tent. I suck my lower lip in between my teeth as his angry gaze snaps to me again for the third time since Hunter and I told them what we did. "We leave for a few hours to scout, and you do the one thing we decided isn't worth the risk." His arms opened wide as he gestured to all of us. Maddox has been quiet, but I knew he supported me. Amy seemed to approve of what I did, especially since Mor is in danger. Julian hasn't said a word; he's leaning against the post by the entrance. Matthew is still out training with the soldiers, so I'll probably receive an earful from him later.
"Don't be too hard on her," Hunter started, placing a hand on Tanner's shoulder, but he quickly swatted it away.
"You, of all people, were against this. How could you just stand there and watch?!" I haven't seen Tanner this angry before, let alone directed at me, and Hunter flinched at his tone. It isn't Hunter's fault. I didn't give him much choice in the matter. I would have gone with or without him, and he knew it.
"There have been no reports of their troop moving or anything out of the ordinary. It's possible they are unaware of it." Amy calmly stated beside me, her hands casually resting on her hips, but I know she'll jump in if this escalates. "If Damian received the message, we might have a chance of having a friendly face on the battlefield."
Maddox and Tanner found the perfect place to call the battlefield. It is situated right in the center of a cluster of gently rolling hills, the first open expanse for miles between the Spring and Sun court. Both sides will be on equal ground, and with the size of both our armies, it will be the most logical place.
"That doesn't matter, Ames! She put our entire army and the Spring Court at risk. If Flora's father gets caught up in the middle," Tanner started, and my blood suddenly heated. If he was to be mad at anyone, it was me. None of them are to blame. Why is he so concerned about Abebe? Is this about Flora? The realization hit me like a cold wave smashing against a warm rock in the summer heat, drowning my anger.
"Is that what this is about?" I cut him off, took a step towards him, and crossed my arms over my chest, feeling the leather of my armor brush against the bare skin of my forearms. "You're angry because I put your mate's father in danger?" His eyes narrowed, and his lips formed a thin line in response. "If you haven't noticed, Tanner, he's already in the middle of this. He will be on the front lines with the rest of us." My fingers dug into the skin of my upper arm as I try to keep from shouting. "Chances are, he might not survive, but that goes for all of us. At least this way, the princes will know that we'd rather avoid this war if possible. We need them on our side."
"This is not about Flora." He bit out, his face contorted in frustration, causing two prominent lines to form between his brows. But I know it's about her.
"Yes, it is. You're new to this bond, the anger, the aggression, the undying need to protect her. That's what's driving you right now, and it's clouding your judgement." My arms drop to my sides, and my nails dig into my palms. "Her father's fate hinges on this war, and there's nothing you can do about that. You can't save her from that pain; none of us can." His shoulders tensed, and part of me felt like utter shit, but he needs to hear it, so I pushed ahead, "You can feel her concern for her father, and it's affecting you, just like Maddox's emotions affect me." I quickly steal a glance at Maddox, his eyes softening as they meet mine before turning back to Tanner. "What I did was a risk, I know that, but my sisters are in there and one of them is Amy's mate. How do you think she feels?" Amy stiffened, and Tanner shifted his gaze to her for a heartbeat before meeting mine again. "They need to know what's going on from our side. We don't want them to get hurt by being in the middle of this, and the twins deserve to know the truth. Who knows what kind of lies their father has been feeding them over the last few months. You can be mad at me all you want, but it's done." I take another step towards him so I'm within arm's reach. "So either you adjust or you get the hell out of my tent." I snap my hand towards the door, where Julian shifts out of the way, my gaze not once leaving Tanner's. Our eyes bore into each other for a few seconds, the room dead silent except for the clashing of steel drifting in from outside. I was readying myself to see him leave, to witness our friendship take a hit, when suddenly his shoulder sagged and he took a deep breath.
YOU ARE READING
The Arrow of Midnight
FantasyAthena is the daughter of a very powerful lord, along with her 2 half sisters, each gifted with a power that would make them loved, hated or feared by the people of their court. Athena is the youngest, but sadly her father never regarded her as wor...