~HunterThe air is cold around me as I stalk as quickly toward the edge of the forest as fast I can.My legs and back collectively protest with each step, but I fight on. This is the first time I've left the manor since I got here a few weeks ago, and it feels great.Even if each step makes me feel like I'm about to collapse.Once I make it to the perimeter wall, I scale along it to find a side gate that staff use. Tay mentioned in passing that the lock is rusty and no one has bothered to replace it.I knock it loose and pass through with little issue.I pick my way carefully through the forest, trying to focus with the low lighting. The nearest village isn't too far from here, apparently, and I want to find out where Kaan is going, and what he's doing in the middle of the night."Following me?"I nearly scream, whirling around. Kaan emerges from behind a tree, smirking knowingly at me.Letting out a deep breath, I try calm my thundering heart. When did he figure out I was following h
~HunterI lean against the wall, trying not to throw up.Kaan must be having the same experience but for an entirely different reason…I just spent an unreasonable amount of time trekking back here to the castle with him. He’s drunk enough to be a nuisance, swaying back and forth as we walk, even worse than me.Because of his state, I had to grit my teeth and fight through the pain to make it back. We collectively collapsed about six times between us.I would be mortified if I wasn’t sure Kaan will forget this by tomorrow."I can't believe I'm helping you, I'm meant to be the injured one,” I remind him for the tenth time tonight, rubbing at a dirt stain on my pants.He stares me down with a lazy smirk, his deep brown hair slightly damp, hanging down over his eyes."Say the word, and I'll carry you."I roll my eyes, pushing off the wall. "You are barely even capable of keeping your head up. Now go into your room."His bedroom door is open, dousing the hallway with light. I haven’t look
~HunterTay slams her palms down onto the table, shocking me out of my half-slumber.Both Kaan and I jolt up a little straighter, focusing on the girl who finally sinks down into her seat, a grating smile on her face."I'm glad I convinced you both to join me for breakfast," she exclaims cheerily, picking up her knife and fork, digging into her pancakes."Mmm," I mumble, bracing my head up with my hand.It's far too early in the morning, and I got almost no sleep last night after my escapade with Kaan. Memories of it haunt me, although Kaan is definitely hurting more than me."I only agreed to this because you were cooking, and I much prefer that over whoever mother hired," he says, scattering some sliced fruit over the top of his stack of pancakes.I only agreed to this breakfast with Tay because I feel guilty about not being her friend."You look so hungover, Kaan," Tay notes, raising a brow at him.My cast slowly shifts over to him. Dark shadows linger beneath his red rubbed eyes.
~HunterI find Kaan around the other side of the house. Just like I expected.He's training on his own, his back facing me as I stomp across the lawn toward him. Azura has returned back to the bedroom after I made an excuse.In reality, I have something very pressing to deal with.As he leans down to grab something, I pick my cane and swing it at him, banging it against his arm. He whirls around, looking ready to retaliate until he realises it's me."What the fuck-"Dropping my cane into my left hand, I rear my right one back and slap him straight across the face. My palm immediately stings and his face doesn't move much, but the surge of anger that has possessed me doesn't care."You hurt her, don't you?" I snap.All I can see in my infuriated mind is Azura tying to pretend like someone here isn't harming her. She's been living in his place for years and can't escape. I can only imagine her pain.Kaan stares at me, his bare chest rising and falling with simmering rage."Hurt who?" He
~HunterI pull the covers up to my chin, muttering a curse under my breath.Today is meant to be the day. I should be loading up a horse and bidding this place farewell, and instead, I'm stuck in bed, trying not to writhe around in pain.I groan as a loud knock sounds from the door.It's opened tentatively, Tay sticking her head around the corner. "You're sleeping late.""I feel terrible," I mumble, sinking deeper into my pillow.All the progress I've made seems to have melted away, my strength having seemingly vanished as a sickness plagues my body.Tay rushes to the side of my bed, panic sullying her features. "What? Why?""I think I'm coming down with something." I heave myself up the pillow a little, but only manage a few inches. My wound feels like it's been torn open again, although the nurse assured me it's fine, that this may just be a complication with my healing.Tay looks towards the one bag I have that is fully packed with donated goods from herself. "But you're meant to l
~HunterI stuff a pillow over my face, groaning.What a miserable day. I’ve escaped one terrible fate only to stumble into another. I can’t tell if I’ve offended some higher power, or if I just have terrible luck.Kaan has avoided me all day, leaving me to stew over this bad news.About an hour ago I finally fell into a tumultuous sleep, although I’ve just now awoken in a cold sweat, the moon taunting me from its place in the night sky.I need to speak to Kaan. I can't wait another moment to find out what he thinks about this.Dragging my legs from the bed, I take a moment before I manage to stand. My injury still feelings terrible, my legs weak and useless. Determination better be enough to get me to his room.My doubts grow the closer I get to his room. It's past midnight, so I assume he's sleeping until my eyes graze the underside of his door, seeing light streaming from it.I knock on the wood before bracing my hand on the wall, trying not to keel over from pain.Kaan opens the do
~HunterI don't hesitate a moment longer, flinging myself into his arms.He crushes me into his, his arms wrapping so tightly around them the breath is nearly pulled completely from my lungs. His familiar smell floods my senses, bringing back memories I thought I left behind."Edgar...I missed you so much," I mumble into his chest.It takes everything in me not to choke of my growing emotions. I wasn't sure I would ever see Edgar again. I was convinced he would be suffocated up in the drama of me leaving, forced to move on and pretend I don't exist.Edgar pulls away, holding my shoulders. He shakes them a little, a grave look on his face."You idiot. How did you end up here?" He questions."It's a long story. How did you end up here?" I tug at his apron, at the cuttings hanging out the front pocket. He even wears gardening gloves, which is an amusing switch from the Edgar I once knew.He peels off the gloves at my scrutiny. "I followed you."My eyes widen. No. He can't be serious."Wh
~HunterYawning, I stretch back, letting the sun warm my skin."I don't know about you, Hunter, but I'm starving," Tay exclaims, popping the lid off a container that holds some strange looking paste.She insisted on having lunch together on the lawn, claiming she wants to spend more time together as 'sisters.' Unfortunately for me, she has insisted on making everything herself, and after living her whole life having everything cooked for her, it seems I am merely an experiment.I eye the food cautiously, although my stomach grumbles. "Me too. It's been a long day of training.""With Kaan?""No, he's been doing business with his father, apparently. Or in other words, avoiding me completely," I mutter, digging into a small bowl of grapes, popping one into my mouth.Kaan and I haven't spoken since he told me he is unfazed by the idea of me leaving before we can be married, expressing how uninterested in me he truly is.It's not as if I have suspected he would be interested in me, but it