Page 81 of The Daughter of the Scarred Elf

“So what you’re telling us is that youareinterested in him.” Herja’s smile grew even wider.

“No.” Inkeri sat straighter and pointed at her. “Absolutely not. I had my moment of weakness, and I have no plans of repeating it.”

Kolfinna was fairly certain Ivar was in love with Inkeri, and even though Inkeri was adamant, Kolfinna suspected she felt the same. Inkeri was hurt, that much was clear. Maybe if Kolfinna talked to Ivar, things could clear up between the two of them? But then again, it wasn’t her place to interfere.

Inkeri cleared her throat. “Well, what about you two?”

“Hm?” Herja ran a hand through her red locks dumbly.

Kolfinna stared down at her hands.

“Well?” Inkeri pointed an accusing finger at Herja. “I know you’re interested in Blár. Have you made any progress?”

Herja flopped down on her bed. “I’d rather not talk about my nonexistent andmessylove life.”

Kolfinna’s face warmed and she watched Herja expectantly. She had only seen glimpses of Blár here and there between training sessions, but their minimal interactions had been normal, despite that they apparently felt the same about each other. But seeing Herja now made her all the more aware of her feelings for Blár and how she didn’t want the pretty redhead to feel the same.

“So?” Inkeri asked slowly.

Herja shot Kolfinna an unreadable look before shrugging. It looked awkward since she was lying down. “Well, Kolfinna can probably explain better than I can.”

Kolfinna blinked back while Inkeri turned her attention to her curiously. “What? I don’t know what you mean?—”

“He didn’t tell you?” Herja frowned at her. “We were talking and I sort of told him I’m interested in him because I’m getting really tired of trailing after him and him not getting the hint, so I was a bit direct. Anyway, long story short, he rejected me.” She gave Kolfinna a look. “I’m pretty sure I know why.”

A blush crept up Kolfinna’s face as the two women turned to her. “W-What?”

“Come on, you can’t bethatdense.”Herja raised an eyebrow. “I see the way you look at him. And I think he feels the same.”

“Oh, Herja, I am so sorry—” Inkeri started.

“Don’t.” She raised a hand to stop her. “I’d rather not dwell on it, especially considering the girl I lost to is sitting right there.”

Kolfinna flinched, but Herja’s tone wasn’t sharp or mean. It was void of emotion. Herja was probably too proud to show hurt or weakness in front of her. She reminded Kolfinna of herself and how she would’ve acted that way too. But Kolfinna never would’ve shared with Inkeri or Herja if Blár had rejected her. Especially not to the woman he had rejected her for.

Herja pulled herself into a cross-legged position and began braiding her hair. Maybe she needed that distraction, but when she turned to them both, her expression was calm. As if she hadn’t admitted anything. “Anyhow, I already have someone else lined up. Potentially. So don’t feel bad for me, okay?”

“You have someone else—” Kolfinna couldn’t hold back her surprise.

“Sort of.” Herja shrugged, her fingers deftly working through her wild, red curls. “Inkeri, do you remember when we were temporarily transferred to the Southern border to help them for a bit when they were low on people? What was that, like four months ago?”

“Yes,” Inkeri said with a nod.

“Well, I got involved with another soldier there. Romantically.” She now finished the braid, but instead of tying it with a ribbon, she raked her hand through it and undid it. “Or, well, maybe romantically isn’t the right word. But anyway, that soldier is now sending me letters. And … And things are messy, I guess.”

Kolfinna tried to wrap her mind around that. “Wait, so you were sleeping with this guy?”

“Yes.” Herja shoved her messy hair out of her face. “I mean, Blár’s great and all, but it’s not like he’s theonlyguy I’ve been pursuing. Especially since Blár and I aren’t going anywhere, or weren’t going anywhere. And he had transferred out a while ago, so I moved on. And this guy … Well, he’s interested. Now that Blár’s rejected me”—she hugged her knees to her chest and shrugged—“there’s not much stopping me, right?”

“Except that he’s hundreds of miles away?” Inkeri quirked an eyebrow. “Who is he? Do you even like him or are you going to use him to forget about Blár?”

“Ehh, do I need to like him?” Herja flashed a toothy grin while Inkeri chucked a pillow at her. She caught it effortlessly. “Come on, Inkeri, not everyone is like you and only cares aboutfeelings.”

“You can’t just sleep with this man to get over your feelings for Blár. You’ll just feel more and more empty when you do that.” Kolfinna could see the concern behind Inkeri’s glare. “Give yourself time to get over it?—”

“That’s why I said things are messy.” Herja tossed the pillow back at Inkeri and sat up straighter. She stared at them levelly. “He’s asking me to transfer to his unit.”

Kolfinna didn’t know Herja that well, but she didn’t think she would take that offer. She had friends here, after all. But heartbreak could do wild things to people. Maybe she didn’twant to see Blár anymore and she would rather transfer than spend her days here, working with him.

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