I Refuse to be a Named Character

Part 4

Who am I?

But even as I panicked inside, I stared down at Luke's peaceful sleeping face, and my thoughts slowly calmed.

I've changed the plot so much. Luke was supposed to be a vicious killer. A terrible villain. But now he's kinder... softer. I'm happy... but how is he going to survive in this bloody world? Can he be ruthless enough to protect himself?

I reached out, brushing his dark hair from his face, sighing quietly.

Maybe it's fine if I need to be a little bit of a villain, if he can live a better life. If he can be happy.

He's worth it.

__________________________

I woke Luke up, helping him to climb into the saddle, and got up in front of him. Having him hold onto me, I slowly walked the horse away, ignoring Slash's invitation to visit again soon. His approval only made me more uncomfortable. As we rode, I slipped the Tarif into Luke's pocket, sighing with relief that we had survived the second task.

But there's still the third task after this...

We rode for the rest of the day, coming up to the bridge as night fell. I helped Luke to the ground, making camp as best I could from the meager supplies in my pack. I started a fire, sitting us both next to it, and holding his injured hand carefully, cleaning out the wound.

Luke hissed with pain, fully awake for the first time since leaving Scorpion Camp. His eyes widened as he searched around, panicked, but on seeing my face he relaxed, leaning back once more.

"Are you alright?" He asked, watching me closely.

"So asks the man who grabbed a poisoned dagger."

"Says the woman who drank poison." He countered gently with a smile.

"Fine." I rolled my eyes. "I'm uninjured. Which is more than you can say." I continued cleaning out his wounds.

"...Eric?"

"I killed him." I answered bluntly.

"..." He stared at me silently for a few moments, and then sighed. "I'm sorry you had to face that alone."

I looked up to meet his gaze. "Do you blame me?"

He smiled sadly. "How could I? If he had hurt you, I would have done much worse."

I finished cleaning his wound and began to wrap his hand, the motion practiced.

"You've gotten better at bandaging wounds since we first met."

I chuckled at that. "Blade taught me to hunt and use a sword. She gave me plenty to practice with."

"I'm glad you can protect yourself." He whispered. "I wish you didn't have to know how to."

I finished wrapping his hand, and patted it. "Speaking of Blade..." I looked up. "Care to tell me why you used up your one favor with her to have her teach me how to hunt and fight, instead of getting the Tarif easily and not risking your life like a fool?"

He struggled to sit up, his face swaying close to mine. The firelight reflected in his dark blue eyes, making them seem as if they were glowing. I stared back, feeling my heart beat faster at the sight.

His smile was nervous. "You being safe means more than the Tarif."

"The Tarif is the only way to win the crown." I reminded him.

"You're worth more than the crown." His smile widened. "I love you."

"..." I stared back at him, shocked. I had understood that he had on some level had feelings for me, as he had given me his token, but I hadn't expected him to so bluntly say it out loud. He laughed slightly at my expression, continuing.