Life in zethna has been easier, so to say, the masters for some reason had eased up on training, azumi had come back from the war a month ago bruised and with an injury on his arm, nothing too serious and I was forever grateful for that.
I had long ago come to terms with the idea that going out to war was never a one time thing, but I hoped beyond hope that next time I would be old enough to go along also, at least that way I would have his back.
The masters had more meetings than training sessions, in a small city like zethna, it was easy for rumors to begin due to the odd but welcomed change, talks of war within the borders among other things which were attempts by the people to guess at the reason for the masters being secretive.
The days after my brothers return were filled with sleepless nights from azumi, his hands, although never haven been scar free, had more pronounced marks and bruises, he was still the same azumi, if not a little more mature.
I had been looking for my best friend for the better part of today, we were meant to go to the waterfall together later today and later today was well, already in a few moments, in her defense we did make this plan a week ago, so it might have skipped her mind, so I decided to go to the waterfall on my own.
"stop it" I paused as giggling and laughter erupted from behind the bushes that hid the waterfall from the pathway. I sighed deeply, what was anyone even doing here by this time anyway?Tera and I always made it a point to come by this time because it was always empty
I considered going back home cuz I definitely couldn't relax if other people were there, next time with company would be better
"I'm going to get all wet " I froze, that sounded so much like..
"azumi stop it " Azumi. My eyebrows rose sky high, my brother was here and he wasn't alone, I tried scanning my brain trying to figure out who the other person could possibly be, my brother as much of a social butterfly as he is, didn't date alot, azumi also wasn't a fan of the waterfall.
"azumi! "the giggling erupted again from both of them and the voice was so familiar, it sounded so much like,
"no way", my feet moved before my mind processed what I was doing,
" no freaking way ", but there was no denying it, right there, in the center was my brother and Tera, my brother and Tera swimming, laughing, giggling.
My jaw dropped in shock, mind working two miles a minute, I tried not to jump to conclusions but she was literally in His arms and oh my azumi just kissed her, I was slack-jawed, I snapped out of it enough to recognize the moment was personal and I was intruding, my brother just kissed my best friend
I turned quietly and made my way back home,
"Tera and azumi "
my mind was still trying to process it all,
" when did, how did they even"
tera had been my best friend since I was 12 and azumi 14, but their interaction had always been minimal, they were friends but that was through me, and wow they were keeping this from me, for how long?, a bigger part of me was still shocked by it all, but the other part of me was hurt that the two most important people in my life were seeing each other and keeping it from me.
That night azumi came home late, I gave him a bright smile as he walked in, he eyed me like I had grown a second head or something.
"you good kiara?" he asked, "just peachy brother "I replied grinning widely "okayyy" he said, still with that suspicious look on his face.
"had fun today? " I asked as he sat on the gahma
"just training and hanging out with the guys " he replied not looking me in the eye,
"humm ", I had planned to drag the interrogation process out more but he looked so tired and, he looked happy. Ever since he came back from war, azumi has been his usual friendly, loud, chirpy self, but alittle more subdued, his eyes just as emerald as our mothers didn't shine so bright anymore
how hadn't I noticed how much brighter they had gotten since then?
"is my best friend one of the guys now? I said with a small smile. He froze and finally met my eyes, I could see the questions before he even asked
"saw you both at the waterfall today "I said.
"kiara " he started
"why didn't you tell me?" I asked trying to keep the hurt from my voice.
" kia, I'm so sorry we didn't tell you "he said looking at me, there was guilt in his eyes and I couldn't find it in myself to be mad at him
"we didn't know how you would react, seeing she's your best friend and I'm your brother " I scoffed
"azumi, I love both of you so much, of course I'd be happy for both of you, and I am very happy for both of you " I said laughing inbetween,
"but keeping this from me was not cool, so not cool " I said feigning anger which was ruined by the pout on my face,
Azumi gave me a lopsided grin, he knew I wasn't mad anymore
"are you really okay with it?" he asked
"of course azumi "I said rolling my eyes
"yes!I'm so sorry sweet wonderful amazing sister whom I love. I promise I'll never keep anything from you ever again " he said in this high pitched voice, eyes wide and hands clasped tightly together.
"you're an idiot " I said laughing
"so how long?" I asked my brother, "ever since I got back from war", he replied, I gasped,
my best friend was so going to get it. He gave me an apologetic look
"I also maybe kind of liked her way before I left for war " he said sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck.
I stared at him slack-jawed
"I wasn't ever going to Say anything, but then I went to war all of a sudden and I promised myself I was going to try and make things work with her if I made it back, seeing everything and your life being in danger puts things more into perspective you know " he concluded,
" that was beautiful azumi " I told him honestly, he smiled at me
"well you both have my blessings, not that you need it anyway " I said playfully. "it means the world " he replied seriously, I smiled back at him.
I stood up from my place on the gahma
" now unto the best friend "I exclaimed and headed for the door,
azumi laughed but stopped abruptly when he saw me get out of the door.
"wait seriously??this night ??" he asked eyes wide, I grinned at him.
"yes dear brother "I said and proceeded to slam the door.
YOU ARE READING
A Dance Of Blades and Hearts
Romance"Maybe one day your highness, maybe if our stars finally align, if the day comes and I don't see everything I've lost in your eyes, in the scars that marr both our hands, maybe then we could love, beautifully, unapologetically" In a world that only...
