Mismatched(A collab with EmeraRider)

Chapter 10

Zoe

I sighed as Nathan left my room. What would I do with that boy? He was impertinent and proud, yet he was the closest thing I had to a family in this place. It was ridiculous, my situation. What was even more ridiculous was our friendship. I didn't even banter with any girl, much less a guy, like that back home. But I wasn't at home was I? Oh goodness, I didn't want to think of home. That would just cause me more pain.

So instead, I opened up Sinarae and tried to lose myself in the story yet again. It was quite a tale. I had gotten to the part where the main character enlisted for the military when I heard yet another knock at the door. Goodness, what else did Nathan want to talk about?

"Come in." I said yet again, not bothering to look up.

"Liking the book, I see?" Eric said, finding a seat besides me.

I was, oddly enough, disappointed that it wasn't Nathan who was at the door, but I smiled nevertheless. I tried to battle through the brief panic and awkwardness. I subtly moved to the opposite side of the chair, trying to get as far from him as possible. A man. In my room. All alone. I inwardly shuddered. It was different with Nathan. I knew he wouldn't think anything of it, but this wasn't Nathan...

"Yes. It's one of my favorites now." I found myself saying.

Eric smiled awkwardly, clearly seeing my panic. He cleared his throat.

"It's one of mine, too. I'm glad I lent it to you."

I nearly sighed with relief as I closed Sinarae. I could safely talk about literature for hours.

" What do you think of Issac?"

"Oh, he's easily one of my favorite characters."

I looked at him in shock.

"How could you? He killed hundreds of people and attempted to assassinate the king!"

He laughed, and putting his feet up on the chair opposite of me, clearly at ease now.

"People will do crazy things in the name of love, Zoe. Just look at us Defiant, killing and pillaging, saying it's for the good of Lornia and for those we cherish..." he cleared his throat again, hi cheeks reddening. "I'm sorry, did I say that aloud?"

I looked at him for a moment, slightly shocked. How could Eric, a man in the higher ranks of the Defiant, questioning everything he's known?

"Anyway, you must know that I am not here to discuss literature. We need to continue your training."

I sighed, closing Sinarae. The awkwardness was immediately replaced with dread.

"I'm a lost cause, Eric. I can barely use a bow and arrow. I am absolutely terrible with a dagger. The only weapon I seem capable of using is a sword. Don't even get me started on my strength. I can barely--"

"Zoe, you've only been training for a few days. Did you really expect to be an expert by now?"

I looked at him sheepishly.

"No...but I thought...I just..."

"Your strength is your sword, correct? So we'll focus on that. But you should know that Alexandra may be stopping by your practices any day now. Perhaps even today."