The War of Ares (manxman) (boxyboy)

Chapter Twelve - You'll never, ever see me again

Aristides

“What the fuck are you doing here?” I shouted as Noel walked as calm as a cucumber--that’s something I learned from Koa--through the opening in the trees. His eyes were wandering all around me, behind my shoulder to Koa and Brogan’s hiding place especially. I cursed and hoped he couldn’t see or hear the men behind it. It would piss me off if I had to kill someone now.

He cleared his throat and smiled. “I came to apologize, your highness. I was out of order before and I recognize that now.”

“And you wandered all the way out here just to say that?” I made my voice as skeptical as I could, but I doubt I pulled it off very well. I was almost certain that he had followed us and waited. What I couldn’t be sure of is how much he saw. Realistically, I knew he’d probably seen everything or most of it anyway. But there was a certain amount of hope still left in me that he hadn’t seen Koa and Garron, at the very least.

“Yes,” he said slowly. “I didn’t want to leave things between us like that. You are my friend, your highness. I care about you and I only want what is best for you. So I’m here to tell you, you can trust me with anything.

I had to stop the laugh that bubbled in my throat. He wasn’t only lying through his teeth, but he thought I would fall for it. Did he really think I was that stupid? Or was he still hoping I would fall madly in love with him and we could be together for the rest of our lives? Both ideas were ridiculous, but he obviously didn’t see it that way. The hope and lust flashing in his eyes was enough to prove that.

I took a small step forward and tilted my head.

His eyes widened and shone with excitement.

I strode across the space and went right up into his space. He took a step forward and our eyes met. Suddenly, he was taking another step back as I reached for him. His robes were tattered and muddy, but I didn’t let that stop me. He had pushed my buttons so many times today, I wasn’t in the humor to care. I didn’t care if I got dirty. What I cared about was putting this bastard in his place. I wanted him to understand how sick the thought of being with him made me. Up until this point, he hadn’t understood or maybe it was just he didn’t want to understand.

“Listen to me very carefully,” I growled. “I don’t want you following me anymore. If you’re not careful, I will see to it that you are fired and hung. Do I make myself clear?”

He nodded and signed. “Yes, your highness. We are still friends, right?”

I shoved him away. His back hit one of the trees and he grunted. I could have smiled then. I was growing stronger as time passed. Before I started training, there was no way I would have thrown him that far on my own. And it was obvious, from the shock on his face and the way his eyes widened to the size of saucers, that he hadn’t allowed it to happen. I didn’t let my own surprise show either. Not even when I felt a wave of pride wash through me. But I made a mental note to figure out where it came from.

I stood in place and watched as he turned around, silently, and walked the way he came. I watched his descent until I could no longer see his back, and all I could see were the row trees retreating into the distance. And finally, when I turned back around, I was able to breathe a sigh of relief. It had been so close. Too damn close, if you ask me.

No one spoke for a few moments, but everyone’s relief was heavy in the air.

Brogan appeared first. He was checking to make sure it was safe for Koa. That didn’t stop him from shooting a surprised look at me first, though. And then I wondered why. But as soon as Koa appeared from behind the trees, he fell to his knees with a grunt. Brogan was by his side in seconds and Garron rushed over, appearing out of nowhere it appeared. He was a very confusing man, Garron was. And I wasn’t sure what I thought of him, or if I trusted him for that matter. Koa appeared to, though. Even though there was something going on with him. You wouldn’t notice it--I wouldn’t notice it--until you saw him look at Garron with a mixture of confusion and recognition. It wasn’t a look I had seen before and I didn’t know why, but it made me uncomfortable to see it there.