The Quest by Sadie Waters

Author:Sadie Waters
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rogue Wolf Publishing

14

THE WEIGHT OF UNBEARABLE TENSION

*Maerilee*

The silence between us is palpable, as if everyone is holding their tongue but projecting their thoughts to the clouds. No one is willing to break the silence, to put their thoughts to words, and it’s becoming infuriating.

I worry that Akin is still angry with me, despite his stance to leave Caelan and travel with us. River is smug, as usual, though I have no idea what he could be thinking. Brook leads us with confidence and certainty, and while I don’t doubt him, it’s clear that Akin and River do.

I glance at Akin, hoping to find some sign of reassurance, something to tell me that all is forgiven. But his face is closed off, his jaw clenched as he stares straight ahead, shoulders rigid. I don’t need words to know what he’s feeling. Disappointment radiates off him like a pulse. For the first time since I’ve known him, a sort of rift has formed between us. And for all his quiet strength, for all the years I’ve trusted him to stand by my side, right now he feels distant, like I’ve taken something precious from him.

I open my mouth to say something, anything, but I can’t find the words. I want to tell him that this is the only way, that I didn’t abandon Caelan’s plans or the rebel army lightly, but the look on Akin’s face stops me short. He doesn’t look angry. He looks hurt. And I know that hurt isn’t just about me choosing another path. It’s about the faith he’s had in me, the loyalty he’s given so freely, now cracked by my decision to chase what he sees as a dangerous myth.

River, on the other hand, has the audacity to look satisfied, a smug smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he strides beside me. There’s an unusual spring in his step that I haven’t seen since our journey began, and I’m already feeling wary of it. Whatever is going through his head is not going to be a solution for the rising tensions between us all.

“I just want it noted, for the record, that I didn’t trust Caelan from the beginning. I always knew Bright Waters was real, even when you all doubted,” he explains, crossing his arms with a casual arrogance that makes my teeth clench. “Guess it turns out I was right, huh?”

I shoot him a glare, but he doesn’t flinch, only shrugs with a lopsided grin. “Maybe if you’d listened to me, we wouldn’t have wasted so much time with the rebels.”

“You’re not helping, River,” I snap, unable to keep the frustration from my voice. “This isn’t about who’s right or wrong. It’s about doing whatever we have to do to save Altinna, to save my mother. Besides, the fact that you didn’t have the balls to speak up like Brook did doesn’t make this any better on your part.”

River’s smile fades a fraction, though he doesn’t back down. “I’m just saying it’s nice to be proven right once in a while.

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