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“Physically, you mean?” With there being more important things to think about, I’m not interested in fooling around. “Not yet, but the day is still young.”
Jarek’s deep chuckle echoes off the stable walls. “I, for one, cannot wait to see the day you finally meet your match.”
I doubt that day will ever come.
“I prefer the company of these beasts over foolish boys.”
He dips his head, agreeing. “Of course you would. But how about we get you a nice guy to have some fun with? Might help you loosen up a bit.”
I narrow my eyes at his idiotic idea. Most guys my age are either settling down or full of stupidity. I need neither the companionship nor the melodrama that comes along with such an arrangement.
Jarek sighs loudly, glancing over at me. “It is a pity.”
“What is?” I frown, hesitant to hear where he is going with this, knowing from experience it could be anything.
“That we could never be matched.” He exaggerates a sigh, shaking his head. “You and I, we could have been amazing.”
I grin at his jesting. “Is that so?”
He nods his head, a serious expression on his face. “If only I were swayed by your beauty alone.” A smile full of mischievousness lights up his face. “Alas, I require a certain…instrumentthe female variety do not possess.”
Jarek’s perpetual wit and whimsy is one of the things I love most about him. He sees the world around him in shades of color instead of the drab monochrome it usually is.
“Apart from me not being able to fulfill your physical needs, you aren’t my type anyway. Too high maintenance for me to even attempt to keep up with,” I tease with a smirk.
He grabs his chest in a mock blow. “Downright merciless, that’s what you are.”
My replying chuckle and grin are wicked. “You wouldn’t have me any other way.”
A genuine smile crosses his face, one he only shares with close family and friends. “Not even a little.”
Tilting his head, he casts a brief eye around the stables. “What did you do to irritate the captain today?”
“Apart from existing, you mean?” The captain likes to think of me as one of his soldiers until he is dissatisfied with something I do, and then I am nothing more than an inconvenience. “I was late.”
Jarek chuckles, shaking his head. “He should know by now what you’re like. When are you ever on time?”
“When I’m required to be.” At least I’d like to think so, but life seems to have a way of placing obstacles along the way. “Also, when the situation is dire, and training is neither.”
“I’d have to agree with you on that. The amount of training you do should be outlawed.”
His statement causes me to frown. “Everyone should know how to wield a blade and protect themselves.”
“I agree, but not to the extent of your proficiency, nor the amount of time you spend at it.” Jarek chuckles, jostling my shoulder. “Some of us like to do more than just exist in this world. We want tolivein it too. Remember that, Ren. There is more to life than fighting.”
Unless fighting is the only way to live.
I look back at him, seeing a light in his eyes that is usually dimmed by the weight of his responsibilities. “What has you in such a cheerful mood?”
His eyes are wide when he gives me a strange smile. “I didn’t realize I had to have a reason to be happy.”
“You don’t, but you just seem… lighter. I want to know the cause.” Moments of happiness should never be taken for granted, especially when of late, they’re hard to come by.
Jarek shrugs as if his behavior is an everyday occurrence. Which I know for a fact, it’s not. His life has been far from easy. From losing his mother at such a young age to then having to grow up quickly and provide for himself and his father. A fatherthat is now a lost shell of a man who retreated from the world once his wife was gone.
“Today is a good day. We are all alive. There were no dark creature attacks last night, and things are looking up. I, for one, would not disregard the small gift of reprieve and hope it means something good for us all.”
I face Blaze, hoping Jarek can’t see the guilt on my face. The attacks have not stopped, instead getting worse with more creatures getting past the shield and wall. A reprieve will not be coming anytime soon, with the ominous stench of something malevolent on the way.
