Inheritance

Part 2. Chapter 68: Dust

Eliita listened to him with a frown of sincerity on her face. After a moment, she said, "You know, passion is overrated. Perhaps what you've been looking for your whole life is love and companionship. It won't necessarily make you burn with passion, but it'll make you feel comfortable and happy."

Them gave her a lopsided smile. He didn't know what to say for a moment. In another moment, he simply said, "I have companionship in Pete."

And it's never been enough for you, has it? Pete accused.

Eliita didn't know what the wisp said, but by Them's wounded expression, she assumed it was nothing good.

Them thought about contradicting Pete's obviously wrong accusation, but he thought there was no point. The wisp knew that his companionship was more than enough for Them.

The waif's face lit up when he saw Pollyanna taking a seat at the table behind Eliita.

"Oh look! There's Pollyanna! I'll see you tomorrow, Eliita!" Them excused himself, taking his plate and his large pitcher of wine and heading over to the old warrior-maiden. Pete didn't follow the waif. He stayed where he sat with his arms crossed indignantly.

Pollyanna was eating silently. She didn't even look up as Them sat across from her.

"I see you took my advice and decided to play hard to get with Eory!" Them exclaimed with a cheeky wink.

Pollyanna continued eating without a word.

"I have to admit, I was shocked when you weren't around to protect Eory earlier. I didn't think you had it in you to let him try to handle himself." Them continued, sipping his wine. "He wants you back in his life already!"

Pollyanna's hand tightened around her fork. "He can die for all I care. You all can."

Them laughed heartily. "I know you don't mean that! I know you want friends—nobody likes being alone after all—and me, Eliita, and Terran already like you. Why do you keep running away from u—"

Weathered, strong hands reached across the table.

Them's eyes widened.

Pollyanna wrapped her hands around his neck; her fingers digging cruelly into it. Pollyanna lowered her eyes; her face was dark and remorseless. Suddenly, the waif was no longer looking into the vulnerable eyes of a woman. He was looking into the cold, steel heart of a sword.

Them tried to pry her hands off his neck as he choked for air.

Terran and Eliita had left the mess hall, any recruits who were left decided to ignore the situation. Them looked for his best and most loyal friend, Pete, but the wisp was nowhere to be found.

"Do you really want to be friends with a killer?" Pollyanna hissed.

Them's eyes rolled into the back of his head.

Pollyanna's hands shook, a satisfied smile bloomed on her face.

Them was sure he was done for.

The shakiness of her hands turned from intense to unsure; her facial expression turned regretful. Her grasp on his neck weakened, she removed her hands.

Them was too scared to move.

Pollyanna looked ashamed of herself. She whispered, "I'm sorry, Them."

Because he was too scared to run or even to move, he felt like he had no choice but to stay. I want to be her friend, anyway. Well, I either make her my friend right now or I die, it seems.

"It's okay." Them cleared his throat.

He let the old woman cool off by keeping his mouth shut for a time. He sipped his wine and slowly ate the remaining food on his plate. Eventually, he got up the guts to say, "You were ferocious on the battlefield earlier. I assume that means you're feeling better, right?"