The War of Six Crowns: The Heir's Choice

Forgiveness

Callan leaned against the doorjamb and watched Lorcan Blaecoine, Black Knight of Sylmion, as he slept. Days since she'd had her nightmare, chills still shot over her. Maybe Aurek was insane, but at the same time there'd been something almost kind in him when they'd spoken.

Then there was the part where he'd said he'd wait for her to go to him. Did that really mean he'd leave her alone or was it some sort of trick? A way to get her to lower her defenses? Surely he didn't really think she'd just waltz back to him after everything that had happened.

It didn't make sense.

Not that worrying about it again and again helped. She frowned and focused on the Knight, searching for anything that might indicate an improvement in his health. A black combination of his blood and the healing balm she knew so well stained the bandages covering his back. Strong muscles lay limp on the mattress. Still no change.

Her eyes flicked to Quin, sitting vigil on a sofa next to the Knight's bed. He glanced at her for a moment before turning back to the Knight. No progress there either.

Callan took a deep breath and dragged her hand down her dress uniform. "King Conal called another meeting today." Nothing. "Miria said it's to decide my fate."

Quin didn't react.

Okay then... She stepped toward the hallway, feeling the sting yet again. It'd been happening for three days now. Ever since their return to Sylmion.

"I thought we had this talk before," he said just as she reached the exit.

Callan shot out her hand and grabbed the door frame, stopping in place. She backpedalled until she could see him again. Still the blank mask, but he'd spoken to her. Progress at last.

"I know," she said.

"Yet, there's no apology forthcoming."

Callan frowned. "Apology? I'm not apologizing for doing something I don't regret. That I still think was right."

"Why? Because of the danger to my life? It wasn't your choice. I'm here to protect you. Not vice versa."

"That's not the oath I heard." Even if it was how she understood it.

Quin glowered and sat forward. "It's the oath I swore. It defines my life now."

"So you're just going to try to get yourself killed every time I do something risky?"

He folded his arms and leaned back in his seat.

"You are. In that case, it would be better for me if you didn't try to protect me," she turned to leave.

"You betrayed me!"

"Rather betrayal than to see you dead!" she shouted back. "How many times do I have to repeat myself?"

"You have no choice."

She charged toward him, pushing her face close to his. "There's always a choice."

They glared at each other for a full minute.

He brushed his hand over his short brown hair. "You know, you're really stubborn." His smile didn't quite reach his eyes, but his shoulders relaxed. He shifted up and patted the cushion next to him. "Is there a compromise in there somewhere?"

Callan deflated. "What do you suggest?"

"You don't put me under orders. I act of my own volition. Both of us are relatively free."

"I've been trying to leave you as free as possible, but both of us know you're talking about suicide here."

Quin took her hand and drew her to where he sat. "Then how about this: pretend we never had this conversation and leave me to keep us both safe."

"What if you can't protect us both?"

His fingers tightened around hers. "Please, don't ask me to answer that."

Callan's heart sank, but she resigned herself. This would be the best she'd get from him. For now.

She ran her fingers over his scarred palms. "I won't."

"Thank you." He tucked her into his side, then placed a gentle kiss to her temple.

She rested her head against his shoulder. Quin smelt of sunlight. The now-familiar scent warmed and comforted her. She relaxed against him and watched the rise and fall of the Knight's back.

What was it that made her so comfortable with Quin? The fact she'd saved him? Or was it the very oath creating the undercurrent to their friendship? Either way, after weeks of playing at being strong and powerful, it felt good to just relax.

She studied his face. "Will you come with me when I go back to Earth?"

"Yes."

"How's the Knight doing?"

"Not sure. His body is healing, but he hasn't responded to anyone or anything. Kaela says he's retreated into himself. He might never come out again."

Callan's stomach twisted with guilt. "I'm sorry I didn't help sooner."

"You couldn't. How would you have known he was the guy talking in your head?"

"I guess." She closed her eyes, trying to keep her deep sense of guilt at bay. It had been haunting her for days, filling almost every waking moment.

"Callan," Quin murmured. "Don't beat yourself up."

"Why not?" A sad little laugh escaped her. "I single-handedly triggered the elves' destruction." Maybe even all of Tardith's.

"No, Callan. The Oracle Stone shows things as they would be. Aurek planned to destroy the elves before you decided to go to Caranth. You tried to stop him. It was incredibly noble of you."

She shook her head. "But I failed."

"Tell me," Quin asked, giving her a hug. "Which is worse? Living resigned to whatever fate throws at you or making your own?"

"I don't know."

"It's not a school book question. It's one you need to answer within yourself. Because you stood up and took your fate into your own hands. That's what you did. It's incredibly scary to do and most people avoid it. You've proven yourself to be something truly special."

Callan rolled her eyes. "I know you're trying to make me feel better, but I still failed."

"Yes, dirael. But the point remains, you tried when you could have run away. That means more, because running away from what frightens us means nothing."

He had a point. And it did make her feel better. She had tried and failed, but it was better than not trying at all.

"I still wish I killed him." With all her heart. Because now she knew the depth of Aurek's obsession with destroying all of Tardith.

She also knew what he was capable of.

Quin smiled and rubbed her arms slowly. "Things turn out the way they are meant to."

"Hey!" She gave his chest a little slap. "You just said we make our own fates!"

He chuckled and held his hands up in surrender. "It's a saying we have. After the things I've seen and lived through, I hope I get to make my life count."

This is actually such a sweet scene! Are you glad that Quin and Callan are getting along again? Thanks for reading, and as always, please remember to vote if you enjoyed the scene. :-)