“I will answer your questions, in time. For now, I’m curious about what keeps you guarded.”
I thought about asking him another question but nipped the idea. We just discussed him not answering any of mine, and I began to have difficulty remembering all my questions. So, I explained while staring at a blue rock on the ground.
“The first time I took an interest in a boy I was shocked with how moving the whole thing was. I kept my thoughts to myself because I heard the whispers of the townsfolk, the horrible and painful things they said about me, because my mother had run away with another man and disappeared—which Tarn blamed me for. Somehow, our inn had become known as a whorehouse. People assumed my father was selling me. So, it surprised me when that boy approached me and started talking to me like we’d been friends for our entire lives. No hint of hate or judgment. He was nice to me.
“After several weeks, he asked me to meet him somewhere right after dark. Tarn wouldn’t miss me. In fact, he would be relieved of my absence.” I wrapped my arms around my chest and clenched my fists to keep the growing ache inside me from overwhelming me.
“The night I went to meet him, he was deep in the forest. I was scared because of the stories what happens there. The sacrifices rumored to have been made, the souls said to haunt them. Something wasn’t right. Still, I continued, finding him purely by the glow of the campfire. I found out quick he wasn’t alone. Fear almost made me turn back. Then someone stepped out from behind a tree and cupped his hand around my mouth to keep me from screaming. I tried to struggle, but he overpowered me, dragging me along.
“When we made it to the fire, the boy I had taken an interest in reprimanded the other for treating me in such a rude manner. I had started to relax until he pulled on a red ceremonial cloak. Others wearing the same emerged from the woods, standing around us in a circle. Their faces shielded by their hoods.”
I wiped a tear from my face with a shaking hand. Marren shifted next to me. His posture had stiffened, and when I glanced over, his hands were clenched so tight his knuckles were white. I thought maybe he didn’t believe my story or, for some reason, he was extremely agitated by it. I had already said too much to stop.
“The rest of the night is a blur.” A painful, perfectly clear blur. “Danst was hunting nearby when he heard my screams over their chanting. Somehow, he was able to break them up and save me. From that moment on, I was shunned in public, and the whispers worsened.”
Marren said, “Danst taught you how to fight after that.”
“Yes,” I said.
“I’m so very sorry for what you went through.” He shifted, tucking his foot under his knee, and faced me. “I feel horrible about what happened to you. If he were me, I would’ve killed those boys.”
I couldn’t help but smile in response to his reaction. “Then you wouldn’t be here and able to rescue me from the Cyrs. Would you?”
“Perhaps,” he said, sounding lost in thought. “What I think may not be important to you, but you are far from ugly.”
I laughed, nervous. “You need to work on giving compliments.”
“As you need to work on accepting them,” he said, light in his retort.
I shifted in my seat to face him, caught in his eyes for a moment. I saw more each time I gazed into them. This time there was sincerity, nothing held back. “Thank you for your compliment, and everything you’ve done for me. Even though I still don’t understand why.”
I breathed the words with little effort. They flowed out of me like a whisper on the wind.
“You’re welcome.” His stare grew in intensity, making the air around us heavier. Or was it lighter?
I forced myself to shift my gaze to the garden and a few butterflies dancing along the tops of the bushes. The sun began descending, making the shadows stretch out before us. Had that much time passed already?
“Now you know why I’m so guarded. It’s your turn,” I said.
“You’re right, your reasons were different. The hurt is the same nonetheless. Everything comes down to trouble finding me and a reputation following me wherever I go.”
“Maybe I can help explain?”
“You may…” The edge of his mouth curved up a little.
“People either want to be you or be with you. When you don’t give them what they want, they become enraged and retaliate against you. The rumors start, and before you know it, you’re labeled a dissident seducer.”
He nodded. “The logic makes sense, but I still don’t believe it applies.”
The span of a few moments in silence passed before he asked, “Are you hungry?”