Page 129 of Trial of Thorns
Caelynn
Istare at my handsin my lap, unable to watch Rev as he’s faced with the truth. A truth I suspect he already knew.
“You never told me what happened to you after we were separated,” Tyadin says, squatting next to me. Is he trying to distract me? Or is he seeking information? Does he suspect too?
Whatever, I’ll take the distraction, whether that’s his intention or not.
“I was shot by Brielle. Rev was able to get me away and lead us into the caves first. He healed me, and we answered the riddle before Drake and Brielle came. We hid in the caves and found a place to sleep there.”
“I was with them for the riddle. You didn’t see me at all?”
I shake my head. “We were... distracted. The shadow sprites hid our sound, and we didn’t hear much ourselves.”
He pauses, considering. “Rev’s kiss comment?” His voice remains casual, like it’s a joke. But I know it’s not.
My eyes widen. I’d forgotten about that. “A lie. We were just baiting Brielle.”
“I saw your reaction when he said it.”
I bite my lip. Out of the corner of my eye I see Rev step forward, toward the black silhouette inside the orb. “There will never be anything between us.”
Tyadin pulls in a long breath and turns to watch Rev as he shoves a blade through my heart.
****
“I’LL GO NEXT,” I SAY. Knowing what Rev has done helps me pull my armor back on. I might lose my nerve if I don’t take advantage of the numbness flowing through me now.
I stand.
“You’re stronger than anyone gives you credit for, Cae.” Tyadin says.
I blink.
“And I don’t mean your magic.”
“Thank you,” I whisper. Then I approach the shimmering magic and step through.
I nearly sob when I see him there waiting for me. I could almost imagine it’s really him. He was just here. I can pretend he waited for me to enter and this is the real Rev, looking at me like I’m the only thing in the world that matters to him.
My heart cracks a little more when a dagger appears in my hands.
A tear slips down my cheek. “I’m sorry,” I tell him. Beautiful Rev with soft, forgiving eyes. It’s the only time I’ll ever see him look at me like this.
I wonder if I could stay here forever, inside this orb, where Rev loves me.
Where he doesn’t know what I did. Where I am just me and he is just him, looking at me like that.
Raven suspects that I have feelings for Rev. What would she think if she knew we were fated to be together? I’d lose her for good then. Over something that will never come to fruition.
“I’m so sorry,” I tell Rev again.
