Rise (The Order of the Krigers #1)(31)

A blazing fire roared in the small hearth, making my bedchamber hot and stuffy. Something moved in the corner of the room, and I twisted around to see Anders sitting on a wooden chair, staring at me, the medallion dangling from his hands.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

He watched me with hooded eyes. “I want to make sure you’re okay,” he said, his voice barely audible.

He only cared about me because I was a Kriger. My life was precious and valuable. He didn’t actually care about me.

“And I want you near the medallion,” he added, glancing away.

“I’m all right. You don’t need to watch over me.” Morlet’s haunting words replayed in my mind. Was he honestly going to search for my father? If so, I had to find a way to protect Papa.

“I was hoping we could … talk.” Anders fiddled with the medallion’s chain, not looking at me.

I laughed. “Sorry, it sounded like you said you wanted to talk.”

“You heard me correctly.”

The one time I needed to be alone in order to sort through my encounter with Morlet, and Anders wanted to talk. I could scream. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I patiently waited for him to speak.

He slouched forward, resting his arms on his knees, his focus on the ground. “I’d like to apologize for my behavior.” His words caught me off guard. “I’m still getting used to the idea of the final Kriger being a young, attractive girl.” He peered into my eyes.

He thought I was attractive? No, most likely he needed something from me. “Why the sudden change?” I folded my arms across my chest, trying to appear aloof.

Anders came over and sat next to me on the bed, the medallion resting on the palm of his hand. “I spoke with your father,” he softly said. “Working underground in the mines, even as a guard, can damage one’s lungs.”

Without Papa, I’d be all alone. Tears filled my eyes. I tried holding them back, not wanting to show any weakness in front of Anders. “He’ll improve with medicine.”

He placed the medallion around my neck. “I promised your father I’d look after you.”

Papa must have taken to Anders to ask such a thing—he never would have done so unless he trusted him. I could see Papa liking him since they were both private, stubborn, and intelligent. My breath caught, and I focused on my hands, not wanting to look at Anders. Not able to look at him.

“He’s a good man,” Anders whispered.

I needed to change the subject. “I thought Vidar had to wear the medallion.”

“He does. But for now, I want it around your neck.”

This was the first time he’d ever opened up to me. Perhaps he would be willing to share more about his past. “How did you become involved with the Krigers?”

Anders sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s a long story.”

“I have time.”

“I guess you could say I deserve this fate … a fate worse than death.”

His words froze my insides. “You don’t want to help the Krigers?” Then why was he here?

“I’m an assassin,” he said. “I took an assignment I shouldn’t have. I was greedy and only concerned with making money, not the consequences of my actions. Now, I’m paying for it.” He stood and went to the window, gazing outside at the forest.

Sensing his hesitation to continue, I asked, “How did you become an assassin?”

“It was a long time ago, and I don’t remember much.”

It couldn’t have been that long ago—he didn’t look older than twenty. Although, neither did Morlet, and somehow he’d managed not to age for over a hundred years.

“How old are you?”

He glanced over his shoulder at me, smiling. “Eighteen.” Looking back outside, Anders continued talking, “I was born into slavery in Hoverek—the kingdom to the north of us. At the age of ten, my owner sold me to a man who trained assassins. He taught me to fight and kill. At fifteen, I started going on assignments.”

“How did you enter Nelebek?” Our borders had been closed by a magical barrier for over a hundred years. “And how did you become friends with Vidar?”

He sat next to me on the bed, searching my face for something. I flushed. His brown eyes revealed painful memories, danger, and a depth of emotions I couldn’t even begin to comprehend.

“Vidar and I share a common goal.”

“To defeat Morlet.”

“Yes. In order to do that, we need you. I’d like to start your training.”

If I was going to be here for a while and Morlet was hunting my father, I needed to figure something out to ensure his safety. “Can my father join us here?” I asked. “Morlet threatened him.”

“You need to trust me when I say he’s safe where he is. There’s no way the king will be able to find him. I promise.” The confidence with which he spoke made me believe him.

“Then let’s get started.”

“Are you feeling well enough?”

My leg was sore and my chest tight. Yet, I was eager to do something physical to get my mind off Papa. “I’d like to get this over with.”

Anders raised his eyebrows. “Am I that awful to be around?”

Yes. “That’s not what I meant. The sooner we defeat Morlet, the sooner I can return to my father and my life.”