Page 78 of A Simple Truth

It would be quite nice if the Glide appeared right about now. And maybe if it took a giant bite out of him, I wouldn’t even kill it.

“Finn” he started, but I sharply inhaled, turning around to him.

“Don’t you have more important things to do, General, than follow me around? As you can see, I’m quite busy right now, so perhaps we should reconvene for a chat some other time.” I turned back, climbing over yet another overgrown root.

“What is this all about?” he asked, confused, stopping in his tracks. “What’s made you so angry?”

“Who says I’m angry?” Even though I didn’t look at him, I stilled the grimace as I added, “I’m as happy as one can be when they lose a very rare arrow simply because someone doesn’t know how to not sneak up on people.”

“Your arrow is right there.” He pointed to a wide, towering tree a few strides away.

“Great. Thanks. Now you can go.” I dismissed him, already making my way to the tree, but the General followed.

“Did I do something wrong?” His voice laced with concern and uncertainty, but I didn’t reply.

Take a fucking guess,I wanted to say, but didn’t. I was a mature adult, after all.

I wouldn’t waste any more breath on this man.

“Let’s hope I climb better than you train,” I murmured to him as I eyed the arrow, wedged deep into the treetops. I adjusted my daggers at my side, grabbing the highest branch I could reach. The General just motioned with his eyes, burning the whole tree down before I could even attempt to climb. The ancient tree incinerated into ashes within seconds.

Such an arrogant Destroyer move. No regard for anything.

“Here is your precious arrow,” he grumped, handing me my unscathed dart. I grabbed it but before he let go, he uttered, “Let’s hope you’ll consider using reason more than your sheer stubbornness next time.”

I twisted the arrow in my hands, contemplating stabbing him right then and there, but instead, I just put the arrow back into my half-empty quiver.

“I don’t understand why you insist on constantly dealing with Basalt Glass. You know it is dangerous for you, just as it is dangerous for any other Destroyer. A tiny shard lost in yourbloodstream, and you could be without your powers for life at best, or it could kill you, at worst,” he said.

“Thanks for the warning. I’ll keep that in mind.” I scrambled over a few scattered branches as I walked away from him.

“I thought we were past the whole bitter, anger situation.” His large arm blocked my way a couple steps later, locking me between his body and a tree. “What is wrong, Finnleah?” he asked again, this time his voice was laced with a gentle softness that made my heart flutter. His eyes examined every inch of my face, searching for answers.

“Why don’t you ask Petunia?” I whispered under my nose, unable to hold his gaze. My hands forcefully pushed his arm out of the way, and I put a bit of distance between us.

“So, you’ve heard.” The General closed his eyes, letting out a long sigh.

“Not just heard. Isaw,” I hissed, angry at myself for even engaging in this conversation.

“Yousaw? She was just here for the council meeting covering for Xentar.” In a few steps, he caught up, grabbing my hand, stopping me in my tracks. “I am sorry, Finnleah, I”

“Why would you be sorry, there is nothing to be sorry about.” I ripped my hand out of his, turning back around, not even sure anymore if I was going the right way.

This forest was becoming cursed for all the wrong reasons.

But the faster I marched, the more he followed.

“Petunia and I—” He nervously paced next to me. “I fully regret my decision. I didn’t think you existed. I thought, and truly believed, that the female raw wielder hadn’t been born yet. And I wasn’t going to marry a child, like my grandfather did. So, I accepted I was never going to marry. And once I was of marital age, no Destroyer woman would ever agree to date me knowing that I wielded raw fire, knowing my purpose. Knowing who I was destined to marry, knowing that I was the last heir.” Though Ilistened to every word he said, I sped up my steps. None of it mattered anyway, but the General continued rambling.

“Petunia and I were just good friends that found ourselves in need of release at times. But that’sallwe were. I never loved her. And the moment I knew of you, that summer, the very first thing I did was completely break it off with her. And I have not been with anyone since the moment I knew you existed.”

“Oh, well don’t hold yourself back on my account, General. Redheads seem to be your type anyway,” I heatedly spat out.

“Finnleah, please...” He took a step closer, reaching for my hand, but I denied the gesture, finally gathering enough courage to face him, the muscle in my jaw painfully cramping.

“General, I am deeply sorry if I gave you the false indication that I wouldeverconsider being involved with you. But let me clear up any confusion. Iendureyour company because I need training, not because Ienjoyyour company. And Ienduretraining with you because I have no other choice, since I’ve made promises that I have yet to uphold, and they require me to learn. And quite frankly, if there was anyone else who wielded raw fire and was willing, I’d train with them instead. You are brutal, insufferable, incredibly, unbelievably arrogant, lacking basic humility, and have very questionable morals, at best. And while I do find you physically attractive, I do not wish to entertain any foolish ideas. Not now—notever.”

I swallowed the increasing saliva in my mouth, I was sure I was going to puke. Bile burned my throat as my heart thrashed against my hold while I suffocated it. All of it.

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