The keeper of time

Chapter 21: The Flames of Conflict

The camp erupted into a flurry of quiet movement as Aryan, Arjun, and Anaya packed up their belongings, ready to leave at a moment's notice. The distant sounds of approaching footsteps echoed through the trees, and Anaya could feel her heartbeat quicken with each passing second.

Aryan was the first to speak, his voice low but firm. "Stay close to me. We're not sure how many of them there are."

Anaya nodded, her fingers brushing against the hilt of the small dagger she had started carrying for protection. She felt a shiver crawl up her spine, but Aryan's calm confidence steadied her nerves. His hand briefly touched her arm—just a reassuring squeeze, a silent promise that he had her back.

"Can you two stop staring at each other and focus?" Arjun snapped, glaring at Aryan. He had been more on edge since Aryan's arrival, and Anaya could feel the tension between the two men growing thicker by the day.

"Relax," Aryan said, shooting Arjun a smirk. "We've got this."

Arjun's eyes flashed with anger. "This isn't a game, Aryan. You might be used to giving orders in the palace, but out here, things are different."

Aryan's face darkened, but he didn't rise to the bait. "Trust me, I know exactly how things are out here."

Anaya, sensing the argument about to escalate, stepped between them. "Enough. We don't have time for this. We need to move."

They fell into a tense silence, and the three of them started down the narrow path leading away from the camp. The forest around them was eerily quiet, save for the soft rustling of leaves in the wind. The moonlight filtered through the branches, casting long shadows that danced with every step they took.

Anaya kept glancing back at Aryan. His face was set in a serious expression, and the playfulness she had grown accustomed to was gone, replaced by the calculating focus of a man accustomed to danger. She had to admit that there was something compelling about his intensity, something that drew her in despite herself.

But then there was Arjun. Her loyal friend, always protective, always there. His presence was like a familiar, comforting blanket, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted between them. Arjun's glances toward Aryan were filled with jealousy, and it made Anaya's heart ache. She didn't want to hurt him, but Aryan had stirred something in her she hadn't expected.

They kept moving in silence, Aryan taking the lead, his eyes scanning the surroundings with a hunter's precision.

"We should split up," Arjun suddenly suggested, his voice clipped. "Cover more ground. I'll scout ahead, you stay with her."

Aryan glanced at Anaya, then at Arjun. "You sure about that? I can handle both."

"I'm sure," Arjun replied, his tone making it clear he didn't want to argue. "You just focus on keeping her safe."

With that, Arjun disappeared into the shadows, his lithe form barely making a sound as he moved through the trees. Anaya watched him go, her stomach twisting with worry. She hated that he was upset, but right now, there were bigger problems to deal with.

Aryan's gaze lingered on where Arjun had disappeared before he turned to Anaya. "He'll be fine."

She wasn't so sure. "He's not himself lately," she murmured.

Aryan's expression softened. "Because of me."

Anaya shook her head. "It's not just you, Aryan. Everything's changing. This journey, the danger... it's making everything more intense."

Aryan stepped closer, his voice low and almost teasing. "And I'm making it more intense too, aren't I?"

Anaya's breath caught in her throat. There it was again—his infuriating charm, the way he could switch between serious and teasing in a heartbeat. She narrowed her eyes, trying to regain some semblance of control over her racing thoughts. "Don't flatter yourself."