Page 40 of Moonlit Guardians

Mortal Ruins

I can hear the roar of the people’s cheers from where I kneel on the sodden earth. Beads of blood pebble from the cut on my hand before I shove my fist, wrist deep, into the mud. For eight glorious heartbeats I feel no pain, but the agonizing burn begins to flare as I whisper the spell to activate the runes. Only three more left to go.

Sweat trickles down my temples and drips onto the ground. A shadow eclipses me and I smell the bitter aroma of smoke. I glance over my shoulder and find Aima leaning against a large stone. “Aima,” I start as I look up at her. Her timing could be much better. “Was there something you need?”

Aima scoffs. “I need a lot of things, Theren, and I doubt you can give me even one.”

“You… you’re angry.” I don’t know why I’m surprised. I shouldn’t be.

She shrugs. “You know me. I can tell Pyre and Baron and Kolvar that I’m unfazed by your presence, but we both know that’s untrue.”

“I never meant to hurt you.” The words ring hollow.

“That’s funny because Pyre said the same thing to me,” she sighs. “Did you know that I’m the reincarnation of his first love?”

“I had heard, yes.”

She nods and I can see there’s more. “And yet Pyre has no feelings for me beyond that of a friend.”

“And you… harbor feelings for him?”

“No,” she says and waves away my concern. “No. I feel nothing but friendship towards Pyre. And he loves Eilish.”

“Has he said as much?”

She shakes her head. “He doesn’t have to say it... none of you do. It’s written on your faces—in the way you look at her. The way you talk about her.”

“I’m sorry, Aima.” It’s the only thing I can think to say to her.

“I know.” She takes in a big breath. “I don’t blame Eilish for any of this. It’s not her fault she’s perfect in every aspect.”

“Eilish isn’t perfect. None of us are.”

“Regardless, what’s not to love about her? Hell, Kolvar just made her queen.” Though Aima is clearly upset, there’s no anger in her voice. There’s only sadness hidden behind a wall of confidence.

“Kolvar doesn’t love Eilish in that way, Aima,” I tell her, wondering if her anger is reserved for her friend. “His heart already belongs to another.” I pull my hand from the mud.

“How do you know that?”

I shrug. “Because I’m a man and I understand the way men are, the attachments they make.”

“Maybe you’re just trying to calm your own heart. I’m sure you don’t like the fact that every man within the vicinity wants her.”

“Eilish doesn’t have Kolvar’s heart,” I repeat.

“But how do you know?” she insists.

“Because I’ve seen the way he looks at her. It’s no more than friendly love and the need to protect her. And I’ve seen the way he looks at you. His expressions are entirely different.”

Aima shakes her head as I move to the next rune. “Are you sure you aren’t just saying this to encourage me towards Kolvar so you can ease your own guilt where I’m concerned?”

I look at her. “I do feel guilt towards you. I won’t pretend I don’t. But, I also consider you my friend and my equal and I wouldn’t lie to you. Kolvar loves you and if I’m not mistaken, you love him too.”

She swallows. Hard. “I loved you, Theren. To stand here and listen to you encourage me to find love elsewhere... it hurts. I thought I was different from the women you took to your bed each night.”

“You were, Aima. You still are. You were my friend and my advisor for years. None of the others ever saw me after the sun came up each morning.”

“Then why,” she starts.

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