Enchantment of the Bow

Chapter Thirty-Five

Firelight casts shadows off of Jed's face as he watches me, sparks dancing through his eyes. We have moved back towards the hearth of the fire, pushing the chairs away so that we can all sit together on the floor.

"I want in on this." He says, casting a glance at Sam, who is sitting next to Lance across from us. We had just explained to him who Sam really is and why he is here, and Jed is taking this all surprisingly well.

I touch his hand and shake my head. "But what if Kaladin doesn't agree, what if he wants nothing to do with this?"

"He may not even be on our side." Sam says, voice quiet. He raises his head to hold Jed's gaze with a challenge. "I will not take that chance. If your leader choses to come after her-"

"He would never do that." Jed says through gritted teeth. His fingers find mine as he continues to speak. "I wouldn't let him harm her, even if that did happen."

Who am I that this boy would go against his own family to protect me? I don't deserve any of this from him. I've given him nothing, when Kaladin has given him everything. I can't possibly let him do this.

"Jed," I say, calling his attention to me. I slip my hand away from his and into my lap. "I can't allow you to be a part of this, it's too dangerous. Kaladin has given you everything, and I've given you nothing but trouble."

He holds my gaze with a fierce desire in his eyes, that causes me to feel a bit uncomfortable. "I am not asking for your permission, Lyra. I am going to do this."

"You should really listen to the lady, boy." Lance says, speaking up for the first time since we've started this conversation.

Jed stares he and Sam down. "Listen. All of you, stop trying to push me away from this. I've got my own reasons as to why I want to protect Lyra, just as you do." He looks pointedly at Sam. "Though some of them I don't quite understand."

Sam snorts and looks away. "You know nothing."

"Don't I? " Jed starts, challenge in his voice. "I know that the both of you have done nothing but lie to her since you've gotten to her. I haven't been anything but honest with Lyra: I've never lied to her. I protected her secret when it could have gotten her killed, but I withheld that information from the man who saved my life. Tell me, who should she really trust more?"

Lance hangs his head, knowing that Jed's words hold much meaning. Why should I trust Lance, especially? He's done nothing else but lie to me. But he's also cared for me. Yes, he led Sam to where I was, but he waited until I was healed enough before pouncing. He could have taken me to Sam right then in that village, hands behind my back, but he didn't. Instead he let me spend time with him before I could be angry with him. He knows that I missed him so much, and he didn't want me thinking he'd betrayed me right away. He knew how much that would hurt, and that I'd run as fast as I could in the opposite direction. That would have led to him having to take me back to Nordic by force, and he didn't want to cause me any harm.

I'll admit he has lied to me, but he's also never stopped being my brother. He taught me how to do nearly everything, and he is even responsible for giving me Lasreal. If it weren't for him, I would most definitely not be a Rider as my father would not have given me one. Instead of riding a random Vann Hest that I don't know and cannot bond with, Lance took me to find my destined beast. Not everyone has a soul connection with a certain Vann Hest, but Lance seemed to know that I would. If not for Lance, I would be off and married to a man who wishes me dead. I would have put up with everything that I don't tolerate, and would be always in the court with ladies flocking around me and a figurative stick up my backside. I would be virtually useless and an udder nightmare.