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“I would never have left. If I had known, I would?—”
Jarek shakes his head, taking my hands in his and giving me a look full of resolve. “No. No. This is why they didn’t want to tell you, Ren. They knew you would try to blame yourself. And although I hate that you are in that wretched palace with all of those loathsome guards, I can now see that you are well capable of taking care of yourself.”
I narrow my eyes on him. “You should have known that well before I went into the palace.”
He chuckles and it lights up his entire face, quickly clearing the sadness and despair. He pulls me into him, pressing a kiss to my head.
“I know how strong you are—envy it, in fact. And how you are able to face any issue head-on. But I also know you are not invincible and need reminding of it daily.”
I lightly punch him in the stomach and step back as he chuckles harder. His laughter and good humor bring me a sliver of relief, easing the tightness from my chest and limbs.
“You have to go back, Ren. You have to because you give us all hope. Hope that maybe this will not last forever. That we will not have to fight each day just to survive the next. You give us hope for a future, and it is something we all desperately need right now.”
I swallow hard at his intense look of complete faith and trust. Something I do not feel I deserve. But I will do my best to ensure his trust in me is not unwarranted.
“You will watch out for them?” I ask, not needing to tell him whom I speak of. Although my mother and Ryuu are extremely capable fighters, they still need someone to keep them on their toes, to distract them from the heaviness of their daily tasks and the things they try to shoulder alone.
He gives me a soft smile, his eyes full of warmth. “It is not something youeverneed to ask. Aloisia has always been like a mother to me, and the captain…” He squints, as if thinking. “A disapproving uncle who likes to frequently remind me of all my faults and flaws.”
A laugh ripples from my throat. “That makes two of us, then.”
Jarek gives me a strange expression, but there is something soft and longing to it that makes me give him a questioning look.
“He tried to go to the palace soon after you left, to check on you.”
My spine straightens as amusement quickly falls away. Jarek gives me a sad half smile.
“They wouldn’t let him in. He may or may not have insulted a few higher-ups. He has been placed on leave and was told his privileges are stripped until they deem otherwise.”
I try to let Jarek’s words sink in, but I still can’t wrap my mind around it.
“He considers you his daughter, Ren. In every sense of the word. He loves you, but I suppose that isn’t a hard thing to do.”
“I love you, too,” I tell him, reminding him that he is part of that family too.
“As you should.” His eyes narrow on me.
I shake my head at him, a soft smile on my lips. If anything were to happen to him…
My hand falls against my side and the small bulge there, my eyes widening when I remember what it is. Reaching into my pocket, I grab Jarek’s arm and open his hand to place the small stone in it.
“What is this?” he asks, opening his palm.
“A healing stone.”
“A healing—” Jarek looks at me with wide eyes. “How did you manage to find one?”
“It was a gift.” Asra might not be happy that I gave it away, but Jarek needs it more than I do right now. He might be able to use it, with everyone here.
He inspects it in awe, turning it over in his hand before something snaps him out of it.
“No, you keep it. You will need it.” He tries to hand it back to me, but I close his hand over it.
“They have fancy healers in the palace. Please take it. Keep it on you at all times, and be safe while I am gone. Give me this small measure of peace,” I plead and mean it. I need to know they will be safe once I go back.
Jarek scoffs but gives me a small smile, pocketing the stone before pulling me into a hug before releasing me.
“Now off you go. Catch a nice big, ugly, dark creature for whatever you have planned in that strange mind of yours. But don’t keep it.”
