Page 15 of Tear of Destiny
“You don’t have to do that,” I say. “I don’t want you to keep taking risks for me. I can manage, really.”
I fix him with a look of determination, and maybe that’s whatmakes him realize how serious I am. I don’t want his help. Not if it puts him in danger.
We say nothing for a while, and to my surprise, the silence between us isn’t oppressive at all. In fact, it’s comfortable, and I feel strangely close to Noah in this moment. He’s showing me that he accepts my decision, my feelings; he’s not pushing me, and he’s giving me the space I need. So I’m just as surprised as he is when I suddenly hear myself say, “Ayden broke up with me.” As soon as I say it, I feel a painful twinge. It’s as if my heart is being ripped apart. The wind carries my words away, but they’re still echoing in my head, parading the truth in front of me, and the finality of it. It’s over. For a moment, I feel winded. An icy band tightens around my chest, and I can’t breathe. I try to calm myself and control my emotions. But it hurts so much.
“Tess,” Noah says quietly, “I’m so sorry. I’m partly to blame, but you have to believe me when I say that I didn’t mean for it to come to this.” He runs a hand through his hair and sighs. “I shouldn’t have kissed you. That was stupid.”
I hug my legs and say, “It wasn’t because of you – at least that wasn’t the main reason. He doesn’t like the fact that I’m still in contact with you and that I have to keep coming back to the Odyss. But the thing that hurt him most was that I didn’t trust him. For him, it’s pointless if there’s no trust, and I can understand that.” I shake my head. “Let’s talk about something else, okay?”
Noah looks worried, which is only natural considering what I’m going through right now.
“I’ll be okay. I won’t lose control again,” I promise again, and Noah nods.
“If there’s anything I can do to help…”
“You’re already doing more than enough,” I reply. “You’re here with me now.”
“I’m happy to do this.”
There’s that radiant smile again, which softens the pain in my heart a little. He’s opening his mouth to say something when suddenly we hear a noise. Noah jumps to his feet, and so do I. Instinctively, I call out mentally to Yoru, but of course he’s not here. I’m totally reliant on Noah and can’t even help him if it comes to the crunch. Noah stands in front of me, shielding me with his body, and I’m filled with dread.
We hear quick footsteps coming inexorably closer. It’s clear to both me and Noah that we can’t run. They’ve almost reached us. We watch in silence for what’s coming, and I consider how best to defend myself. A figure emerges from the undergrowth and stops in front of us, breathing heavily.
“Frances!” Noah cries with dismay but also a hint of relief in his voice. “What are you doing here? I told you not to…”
“Your parents are looking for you,” she pants. “Travis is about to stand before the Assembly, and your parents want us both to be there. Your dad already sent people out looking for you, but they couldn’t find you, so now he’s on his way here in person.”
“Damn it,” Noah curses, running his hand anxiously through his hair. He looks pale and seems to be racking his brain for ideas.
“He’ll be here soon,” says Frances, glancing in my direction.
“I have to take Teresa back.”
Frances quickly shakes her head. “You don’t have time.”
“Then I’ll just wait here,” I suggest.
“No way,” Noah says vehemently. “It’s far too dangerous. That time we went to the shrine, one of them followed your scent, even though they’re not supposed to hang around that area. If one of the fallen finds you here, you’ll be totally defenseless without Yoru.” He thinks for a moment and turns to Frances. “What’s happening at the temple right now? I assume half the city is out to see Travis?”
She nods. “Everyone seems to be out in the streets.”
“Good,” says Noah. “Then you can come with us.”
My eyes widen. Has he lost his mind? I’m supposed to put myself right in the middle of all those Noctu?!
“They’ll be distracted by the trial, and no Tempes has ever dared go to our temple. Nobody would ever suspect. Especially if you’re with us. They won’t notice you.”
I dress as fast as possible and leave the forest with Noah and Frances. As we’re turning onto a broader path that presumably leads to the temple, we see someone approaching us on horseback. I wonder if the muscular black horse is his key spirit. A tall man with a dark beard and black hair stops in front of us, his eyes flashing coldly.
“There you are. I hope you weren’t in the goddesses’ garden again. You know what I think about you hanging around in there. You’re not an Assembly member yet.”
“Yeah, I’m aware of that,” Noah replies irritably. “Frances told me you want us both at the hearing.”
“Yes. This will be one of your responsibilities someday, and you can learn a lot by observing. You can’t keep stubbornly dodging your duties forever.”
Noah rolls his eyes but says nothing.
“You have a new friend?” he asks, looking at me.