Page 116 of The Kingdom of Eternal Ice
The Blessed Tree
*FLINN*
We spent the night at the coast in one of the packs close by, before returning home at the very early morning hours. Endellion wanted to be back as soon as possible to know Azadeh is safe. And I have to agree with him–I want to know she is safe, too.
When we returned to the royal pack and the castle, it didn’t take long for everyone to figure out we have a new lovey-dovey couple amidst us. Endellion is smitten. He has starry eyes and little hearts in them whenever he looks at Azadeh. And she isn’t much better, constantly leaning against him and looking at him like he is a majestic deity in person.
I should find it gross, but it’s so adorable. The two cuties must be protected at all costs.
“You think we will be like that, too?” Caelan asks me when we dismount our horses, while our father basically is all over Ende and Aza, with his hugs and congratulations. He is truly happy, which is a relief to me. I think deep down he hoped one of us would choose the beautiful and intelligent Desert Princess as our mate.
“What? You mean grossly in love?” I ask.
“When we find our mate,” Caelan says. “Or choose one.”
“I want to say we won’t be like that, but… nah…” I grin. “I’ve seen how Tynan looks at the hot and manly general. He looks like he is in a beautiful dream, all mushy and cute, while he stares at General Shayan’s strong hands and tight ass. Bet secretly Ty wants to have his ass handed to him by those strong manly hands.” I laugh at my own words, only to notice that Caelan stares at me. “No way, Caelan! Don’t tell me…”
“They are a couple?”
“They are so clearly mates,” I say.
Caelan frowns. “Why do I have to be this way?”
“What? Oblivious?”
“Stupid,” Caelan groans, tossing the reins and riding crop aside. He looks furious. “I… just don’t get anything.”
“Cae, you are not stupid,” I say, not laughing anymore. His words have sobered me instantly.
“I am,” he huffs. “I don’t understand anything unless someone explains it to me. I’m just muscles without a brain.”
My blood runs cold in my veins. I know who said that to him. As if she knew I was thinking about her, Kilah peeks into the stables. “Hello, you are back. Can I help?”
I hate the fact that I resent my own sister. But the difference between me and my other siblings is that I have sharper ears and eyes. It’s why my parents push for me to learn more about the work of a sentinel. I’ve seen and heard so much more than the others. I know that some of these talks weren’t for my ears, and that we all talk shit sometimes, but she certainly talked a lot of shit in her teenage years.
“Caelan thinks he is just muscles and no brain,” I say.
I can see her getting pale, guilt flashing in her eyes. “He is far more than that,” she asserts. “I never meant to crush your confidence, Caelan.”
“I don’t hold it against you,” he says, still sounding angry. The fact he is angry with himself makes this even worse. “Because it’s true.”
“It’s not true,” I huff.
“I never liked school. I don’t like to read. And, I never put effort into learning more than I needed to,” he says. “Unlike you and Ende, but also Nevyn, Eibhlin and Kilah. I’m dumb because I never studied, and I don’t pay attention.”
“You. Are. NOT. Dumb!” I repeat, emphasizing every word. “So, you didn’t like to study? And? This doesn’t make you stupid. You can still educate yourself more, if that’s what you like to do. But you are also brave, kind and you can think incredibly fast in a battle. The warriors like for you to train them because you spot the most mistakes. You hate gossip, and sometimes live in your own world, and because you don’t give a shit about gossip, you don’t know what others talk about. That’s not a bad thing.” I pause. “You are socially intelligent.”
I can see Kilah paling further. I didn’t mean my last words as a dig against her, but if the shoe fits, then that’s on her. I feel another wave of guilt hitting me. I promised Aza I would give Kilah a real chance, and constantly lashing out against her certainly won’t help.
Aza told me it’s alright not to instantly forget and forgive, but that it’s not fair to constantly work against her.
“You are a great person,” she says to Caelan, sounding awkward as fuck. “And I am not. So at least... there’s that.”
“I don’t think you are a bad person,” Caelan says shortly.
“Let’s say there is room for improvement,” she says quietly.
Not even Caelan, one of the nicest persons out there, can say anything against that. He knows it’s true.
