Falsified (Tarnished Book 2)

12 Like A Father

"Dane, what are you doing out here?" Mara's voice made me jerk in my own skin. "You do know to stay up is poor care for one's self,"

I glanced at her. She was in her nightgown and I quickly looked away. "I'm aware, I wanted some night air. I slept for a while already, no need to worry yourself,"

Mara stopped by my side. "You did good for an outsider, today. I couldn't believe you warded off that dragon, it was like you were a different person."

I sighed. "Refusing to lose is a habit, but I'm not any different than I was when I came to the palace. I highly doubt it will ever change me." I glimpsed over at her violet eyes gazing at my face.

Mara smiled. "You are strange if you believe that."

"Well, I just..." I started to say when I saw Mesmer in the hall.

Mara glanced over to see Mesmer coming to greet us in the training yard.

He was smiling in a knowing way. "You should take it easy, you are injured."

I scowled. "I don't need to be taken care of."

He scoffed. "I agree to disagree, kid. You wandered out here thinking I was so negligent as to forget the reason I came to see you."

Mara watched our interaction with confusion. "Dane, what's he talking about? I didn't notice anything wrong with you."

She was unaware of what happened on the battlefield, but somehow Mesmer could see through my façade. I tore my eyes from them. "I told you, I don't need healing. I'm fine,"

"Kid, you're not doing yourself any favors by concealing them. I'm certain your father taught you that,"

I froze at the mention of Ascelyn, my father. I stared off into the distance of the night sky. "He never got the chance to," my voice came out soft. "My father and I lost each other. I learned people take advantage of weakness and he never taught me to let others care for me. I always got by on my own,"

"Dane, did your father?" Mara began to ask when I glanced at her. "I'm sorry to ask."

I smiled briefly. "A part of me died with him, you shouldn't apologize."

It was a truth and a lie. In some ways, a part of me did die with my father, but he was not deceased as I believed.

"Kid, let others help you," Mesmer interjected. "There is no shame in accepting aid with an open hand."

I glanced over at Mesmer and scoffed. "Sorry, but I do things my own way. His Majesty knows that more than anyone here. I got mad at him for saving me after our scuffle in the grove. He keeps showing up at the exact moment I almost get struck as I asked him to." I bit my lip and balled a fist at my side. "People can't always protect you that was the first thing I learned. I'm sorry you think there is shame in it, but I'm not one for following society's rules."

"Dane are you saying," Mara started.

"I hate people who think I need a shield!" I raised my voice. "His Majesty learned that soon after I refused his offer three times to become his knight." I glared at Mesmer and realized my anger uncapped itself. I stepped back from them. "I wasn't happy about this as was everyone in this palace when I first arrived."

"Kid, do you hate His Majesty?" Mesmer questioned.

I stood quite unsure of how to answer that. It was yes and no. Yes, because he dragged me here away from my friends and allies and no because he saved me when he had every right to let me die. "I can't give you an answer because it puzzles me. Why does he keep saving me after I tell him not to?"