The Empty Ones (Fantasy Romance)

75. Brat

Theon is here.

"I am telling you this only so that you are aware and don't act compromising."

"I wouldn't," I say, but I am not sure if I can actually mean it.

"Zaretha, this is not a game. He will watch you and can't wait for Theon to do something wrong. You cannot give him that satisfaction. He would hurt him and it would be your fault."

I know. And Laini knows exactly which strings to pull to make me react. She is partially right but also annoying and I don't want to give her the satisfaction.

"I appreciate Theon. I wouldn't ever endanger him, even if the only reason for that would be that I think this world is a better place because of him and with him in it."

Laini gives me a raised eyebrow and a skeptical side eye.

"What?" I ask, a bit outraged.

"I was right about being concerned."

"No! Why?"

"You see Theon, the skirt chasing, overindulgent, self centered jerk, as someone who makes this world a better place only for being part of it? Only the phasing of the last part sounds like the mind you have lost."

"No, Laini. I promise."

"You promise what exactly?"

"Whatever you want me to."

"No lingering gaze, no words that can be interpreted, no letters."

"No! I wouldn't write anything. I am not stupid. But no lingering gaze? Wouldn't it be more suspicious if I don't even look at him?"

My tone isn't calm at all.

The door opens and we both startle.

"Oh, it's your not so little shadow," says Laini looking at Riyo.

He is looking intensely at Laini too as if he feels the tension between us.

"Tomorrow there will be the official welcoming of the guests. As mentioned, don't be stupid."

"I am not!" I answer, annoyance obvious in my voice.

Riyo frowns and steps closed.

"My goodness. Look at you."

"What?" I ask again, this time confused.

"You made him loyal."

"No, I..."

"Yes you did." Laini looks at me somehow intrigued. "Anyway. Behave."

She exits leaving us alone.

"Mahrani with gold hair upset Mahrani?"

I smile a bit at his phrasing.

"In a way. But it's not so bad. And her name is Laini."

"Riyo should not use name for Mahrani."

"Well. Riyo officially doesn't speak. And how do you want to tell us apart. We are both Mahrani."

"Yes, but." He points at me. "Mahrani of Riyo. Or, no. Riyo of Mahrani."

"No, Riyo. You do not belong to me. You are only in my service."

"But that mean life of Riyo belong to Mahrani."

"No. Life of Riyo belongs to Riyo. Look at me speaking like you." I smile unwillingly. "I mean, your life if your own and what you do with it is your own choice."

"But soldier–"

"I am not sure what they told you in the regiment but I free you from that. As long as you are in my service your life is your own and your decisions are your own too. That isn't so easy either. "