Fighting Fate by Weir Sarah

Author:Weir, Sarah
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9798987234303
Publisher: Elshara Publishing, LLC
Published: 2023-01-13T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Two

KARMA

“While I was with the militia group, I met a young man named Radulo, with whom on the surface I seemed to have a lot in common. He was passionate and fired up about the Ottoman Empire invading. We became friends and got along well, fighting beside each other. Initially he thought I was a boy a few years younger than him, but after several months, he eventually realized I was a woman seemingly his age.”

I clear my throat, more from embarrassment about how stupid I was at that time than because my throat is dry. Hadyn’s large form remains still as he watches me with his blue eyes darkened in the shadows.

“I didn’t realize till much later, but that was when things changed. He was angry at first because of the deception, but he seemed to get over that after a few days. We still fought side by side, but he became more protective when we were not. I thought that meant he cared about me, and his actions and mannerisms seemed to show that at the time. After several weeks, the rest of the men realized I was a woman because he made it a lot more obvious that I wasn’t just a boy. After that, I didn’t need to hide who I was anymore, but I also needed to be more careful around the rest of the men. It didn’t really matter to me because I had my friend Radulo who eventually became more than a friend. He told me that he thought I was beautiful and amazing because I fought so well.”

I throw a small smile over at Hadyn, trying to lighten the mood a little. “Fighting was like a dance, which was the only part of my studies I ever actually enjoyed because it was physical. I had wanted to be outside, and now I was outside all the time, so I got my wish. We fought so well that the Ottomans began avoiding us when we joined the battle, yelling ‘Olum Melegi’ every time they saw me.”

“What does it mean?” Hadyn asks curiously.

“Angel of Death.” I grin, which catches him off guard before he grunts in what I hope is amusement. Subtle expressions are harder to tell in the moonlight.

Sobering quickly, I continue. “As the weeks went on, things changed. He became moody and quicker to anger. He grew a lot more vicious when fighting. I didn’t realize this till later, but he was jealous of the reactions I got from the men on both sides because of my fighting skills. Have you ever heard of gaslighting?” I ask, turning to meet his eyes.

Hadyn nods slowly. “I believe so. It’s when someone tries to manipulate another person into thinking things that aren’t true.”

“Close enough.” I nod. “That’s what he began doing to me. Words of admiration gradually changed to helpful criticism and then outright criticism. Even when it sounded positive there were little digs that eroded my confidence. Loving affection gradually changed to somewhat and then barely affectionate.

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