Page 64 of Dawn of Hope
Would he have been this angry if it had happened to anyone else in the group, or was he more upset because it was me? I don’t want special treatment, especially if it might set me apart from the group. I don’t need to start relationships with these people in a negative light.
He nods and keeps his eyes downcast as he steps back to rejoin the group.
Dane doesn’t speak as he glares at them.
My eyes travel over them too, taking in each of their faces. Some look guilty, some suspicious, some outright angry. Hopefully they will all move past their feelings quickly. I don’t know how long this will take, and while the goal of being here isn’t to make friends, I don’t want to make enemies, either. Having some friends wouldn’t be so bad.
Dane finally speaks, the rage gone from his voice.
“Everyone, this is Lennox. She arrived yesterday. She’s from Blackwood.” He proceeds to point out each person in the group and says their name. I’ve never met so many people at once, so I know it is going to take me some time to remember them all. I’d remember Mara, since she was the only other girl here at the moment.
“We have another new arrival back at camp. He’s waiting in the tavern for us. He’s young. I expect everyone to be kind and help him out.”
A chorus of agreements sound off before Dane nods at the group and everyone disperses back to camp. The severity of the past few minutes seems gone as they race each other and fool around as they head up into the camp.
“Come on,” Dane says to me, stepping aside so I can walk in front of him. “Let’s go get some salve on those wrists.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
My wrists are now bandaged and treated with a magical salve, thanks to Dane. He had brought me straight to a small infirmary next to the armory and tended to my wounds with such gentle hands. The person in front of me was the complete opposite of the Guardian I saw back in the clearing.
It was like looking in the mirror. On the outside, I was a princess who had to behave a certain way and follow orders, to be the face of her kingdom. But on the inside, I didn’t feel like that person. I am tired of being both, and just want to be me.
That’s who I get to be here.
We head to the tavern, my stomach growling loudly after such an eventful day. I stand behind Dane, watching to see how the magic of the tavern works. A plate of food appears in the hollow of one tree, and Dane reaches in to grab it. Steam rises from the pile of roast meats, vegetables, alongside a chunk of crusty bread. Dane steps aside and waits for me to do the same. I peer inside the hollow and watch as a similar plate slides out of the back of the tree, appearing out of thin air.
I don’t think I’ll ever get used to magic.
“Right over there,” Dane says, pointing to a table with a few boys already seated. One looks young and a little timid, and I wonder if this is the new arrival, like me.
Dane steps to the side so I can walk ahead. I almost jump when his hand grazes the small of my back, guiding me toward the table. I do my best not to react and give away the way his touch affects me.
He is so open about touching me, especially here in Dawnlin. He wasn’t afraid back in Blackwood, but was more cautious about it. Proper. He probably wouldn’t be this forward if he knew who I was, all the more reason for me to keep that little secret to myself.
I weave through the tables and benches, past the boys chattering happily and eating. I catch a glimpse of Mara out of the corner of my eye and see her noticing Dane’s hand on my back. Her face turns stony, and I look away quickly.
What was that about?
Was she jealous of Dane being close to me? Or…
Were they together? Dane and I had never actually discussed anything here or in Blackwood. He was just always friendly. Very friendly. I assumed he may have had more than friendship feelings for me, but what if I was wrong?
What if he has had someone here waiting for him? They have probably had years of time together, and here I am just showing up and changing everything.
I already started off my time in Dawnlin on the wrong foot. I didn’t need make it worse, and I wasn’t going to interfere in someone else’s relationship.
We make it to the table and sit, me on one side of the young boy, and Dane on the other. He looks up at us sheepishly, fighting with his fingers, his hands tucked deep into his lap.
I feel the strong desire to make him feel comfortable. I can’t imagine what he must be going through being here this young.
“Hi, my name is Lennox. What’s yours?” I ask him, leaning down with a smile.
“Fin,” he says quietly.
“Hi Fin, it’s nice to meet you.”
He smiles shyly but doesn’t speak.