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I push down the guilt and send him a small smile. There was no point in destroying his frail moment of peace, not when he looks so happy. I will just have to work hard to figure a way to make sure he and this kingdom are kept safe and, in turn, try to preserve his slight reprieve and hope.
He clears his throat, giving me a shy look. “That, and I met someone.”
He mumbles it so softly I barely catch the words. They send a bolt of relief throughout me, moving away from the subject of dark creatures and my omission of the truth.
“Of course you did. What is his name and when am I meeting him?”
Jarek scoffs, waving a hand in front of me. “So you can frighten him off with your insane warrior skills or turn him to your favor with your striking beauty? I think not.”
Although playful, his tone and the slight shift in his normally rested demeanor make me wonder what has him anxious.
“Is everything okay?”
“Of course. You know me, I’m always fine.” His grin is brittle, and his far-off look causes me to doubt his words, which makes me want to push him on this. But I know it will get me nowhere until he’s ready to tell me.
He must see the worry mirrored on my face, as his smile turns warm. “Don’t worry, you’ll meet him soon enough.”
“I better,” I warn him, but I tack on a smile so he knows I’m not being completely serious. Only justmostly.
Jarek chuckles, giving me a knowing look. “I overheard the guard’s competition this year is being held in the palace grounds.”
I quirk a brow at his quick change of subject. “And you’re telling me this for what reason?”
A playful glint enters his eyes. “Not only do you get to see the palace up close but you also get to meet those secretive royals too.”
I have no intention of ever joining the Caligo guards and their army, nor do I care for meeting any of the royals that continue to have such bias toward the Sidus.
Jarek narrows his eyes. “I imagine them to be hideous to have hidden away for so long. I can’t fathom why else they would not show themselves.”
Blaze nudges me, seeking attention. I chuckle, rubbing my hand along her soft face.
“Maybe they see us beneath them and nothing more. Maybe they prefer to stay with their Caligo up in the mountains, where everything is clean and gold and bright.”
“Maybe…” That far-off look returns to his eyes once more, making me frown.
“Why does any of this matter? You have never cared for any of the other competitions.” They are held each year, each one the same as the last. And the Caligo use every single one of them to make sure the Sidus know just how powerful and brutal they are, should we ever try to defy them. Them choosing to close it off and have it in the palace grounds is a small mercy we will be granted.
Being forced to watch it every year is not something I ever look forward to.
A sliver of light returns to his eyes as he focuses his attention solely on me.
“Well… none of them have ever been in the palace, nor has there been a little…incentiveinvolved.”
“An incentive?” I ask.
“Think about it, Ren. With your skill and abilities, you would win it without breaking a sweat.”
“You’re forgetting the part where I don’t care for meeting the royals, nor do I ever want to join the Caligo guards.”
“Yes, but?—”
“Jarek. Is there something wrong?” I frown, wondering if there is something more to this. “Have your rationings gone?” If he was without food, I would make sure to find him some.
“No. No, nothing like that. I just thought it would be nice for you to show those Caligo guards how useless they really are, and should you end up with some winnings—that you would love to share with your favorite friend—why not give it a chance?”
I shake my head at him, the worry quickly slipping from me. “We don’t need to prove just how useless they are; they do that all by themselves.”
Jarek sighs but nods his head, dropping it, knowing I will not give into this with my stubborn nature.
