Shadowburn (2)

Chapter 44

It was about an hour past twilight, the sky turning dark, the moon and stars peeking their faces through the canopies. Caelei drifted on her back in the river, looking up at the sky -- it was her favorite time of day, even if she couldn't see well in the dark. Somehow she enjoyed the mystery it brought. The darkness also helped ease her thoughts, her worries. It was simply, peaceful.

The day had not gone the way she'd expected; it hadn't gone well for her at all really. When Sin had lied to her about Thorn, Caelei had been cursing herself -- still was -- for her reaction. She couldn't believe how transparent she'd allowed herself to become. Hated how much the assassin's words had stung -- and worried her. Because Caelei simply couldn't help herself. She didn't want to care. She didn't want to be drawn to him. She didn't want to have this unquenchable desire for him.

At least, she thought she didn't.

He was intolerable, arrogant, annoying, frustrating, and every other awful thing she could think of.

She did not like him.

She didn't.

Did she?

No. No. She didn't want him close to her. Didn't want him kissing her again. Definitely not. No.

No.

He'd made it clear that he didn't care, that he couldn't. Why should she show that she did? No. No she didn't care.

His actions were confusing her. He'd come up with this elaborate plan with the sorcerer, a man he hated, because... because Sin made him angry? Caelei played through the conversation she had had with Sin. There was nothing about it that should have made Thorn angry. Not. A. Thing. Why did he care if Caelei thought he had Riolei? He didn't care. She didn't care. It wouldn't be a problem.

So why? Why had he gotten angry enough to trick Sin?

And then he'd stepped in between her and the assassin after Sin had thrown the dagger at her. She didn't know what his motives were for that either.

And it confused her even more when he'd healed her with an Emberian rune -- one he shouldn't have been able to use because of his Cinder.

Nothing about the blasted elf was making sense anymore.

It would be so much better for her health if he just stayed away.

If she was able to stay away.

It would be better for his health too. She was suddenly glad Feng wasn't here. He'd have seriously hurt Thorn already, if for no other reason than him causing all this confusion and anger inside her.

Why did she care that her brother would hurt Thorn? She wanted to hurt Thorn.

Gods, a few days ago she had wanted to kill him.

Until of course, he had kissed her like that.

She really wanted him to kiss her like that again.

No. No, no she didn't. She mentally cursed herself. Away. He needed to go away. He needed to stop invading her thoughts. He needed...

She needed...

She didn't know what she needed.

She just wished she knew what to do about him. At least she wouldn't have to worry about needing to try to resist him for the next month -- not after he'd lost the bet....

A thought suddenly occurred to her. Suffer. She could make him suffer. Killing him was too easy. No, there were better ways. And she might even be able to get him out of her system this way as well.