Getting down the mountain was easy enough. Hunter was still being a bit stiff with me, but it flew under the radar of the others around us. Our arguments were always private. There were too many of us in a confined space to any one of us to have a blow out.
Dziko and I coaxed the boat into the water with our powers. Next it would be mostly up to me to direct the boat. The others would steer when I got tired or needed to take a break, but it didn't take too much effort. A few years ago it would have been quite the task, but now it was something I could do in the back of my mind.
Hunter handed me a compass.
"Make sure we keep going north," he said as his fingers gingerly brushed against my hand.
I nodded.
"Go north. Go it."
He started to turn away, but hesitated.
"Although I meant everything I said, I'm sorry I made you feel the way that you did earlier. I could have gotten it out in a better way," he said.
"It's okay. I shouldn't have pointed out your past actions the way that I did," I said.
He gave me a long look before speaking again.
"Is that really how you feel about that situation?"
I frowned.
"I...I think that's how I felt at the time because of the way you spoke to me," I said trying to avoid the question.
"Would you rather I have died?"
"No, of course not!"
His face grew stone like. I couldn't read his expression and that concerned me.
"I think we all make mistakes and what happened with you was just a mistake of your past," I said carefully.
"What I did was deliberate. It was 100% intentional."
"I'm not sure what you want from me, Hunter."
"Nothing. I don't want anything," he said, starting to turn away, but I grabbed his arm.
"You know I don't think any less of you. I don't judge you about it. What happened happened."
He shook his head.
"You don't judge me because you justify my actions inconsistently with what actually conspired and how I actually feel about it. My words were meant to protect you, but deep down, whether you admit it or not, you're not comfortable with that aspect of my character," he said.
"That's a huge jump from a simple question, Hunter."
He didn't say anything, but instead gently pulled his arm from my grip.
"You're trying to distance yourself from me prematurely. Why are you so obsessed with this?" I demanded.
"You don't see it now, but when we're in the thick of the battle you will," he said softly. There was a brief look of defeat on his face before he masked it and gave me a soft kiss on the cheek.
"I love you," he said quietly, turning and walking away before I could respond.
It was the first time he'd said it. Our relationship had progressed fairly slowly, so I guess at some point it was bound to happen sooner or later. But I'd always hoped it would be under better circumstances. Something that a bit more of a romantic gesture than what had just transpired.
I rested my arms against the railing along the side of the boat and let out a deep breath.
"Things are tense huh?" a voice said behind me.
YOU ARE READING
Chronicles of the Unknowns: Intervention
Science-FictionDaisy Lynn, Ayana, Dziko and Ken have spent the past three and a half years honing their powers. Hunter's tracking abilities kept them hidden from both friend and foe - until now. When Sakima finally joins them, they're learn how badly the world aro...