Torn Between Two
Chapter 23
Reilyn changed into the black clothes, slowly, trying to process what had just happened.
That's three times he's kissed you! And three times you barely resisted! What in the hell is wrong with you?!
She growled in frustration as she fastened the belt on her leather pants, then carefully pulled the shirt over her head, flipping her hair over the back. She tightened the belts on her abdomen and tied the laces at the top. The clothes were a perfect fit, not too snug or too loose.
She splashed cold water on her face, gasping at the shock. Carefully opening the door, she crept out.
Murtagh seems to be having the same little talk with himself, she thought, seeing the older boy laying on the bed. Movement caught her eye and when she looked, she saw Eragon staring at her.
"Wow," he breathed, "you look different!"
They both glanced at the older boy, who lay unmoving on the bed. Eragon looked back at her, clearly puzzled. She shrugged her shoulders. Somehow she knew her magic had been sealed, as well as her mind. She felt isolated and alone, something she hadn't felt in over a year.
Besides, she thought, this is one of those things I'd prefer keeping to myself.
Eragon lay back and stretched, yawning loudly.
He seems almost comfortable here. . .
Murtagh sat up, startling them both. He pushed his hair out of the way and glared at Eragon.
"Get changed!" he barked, gesturing the clothes. "We have much to do."
Eragon glanced at Reilyn, looking for her guidance. She nodded and returned her gaze to Murtagh, who was standing at the window. The young brunette grabbed the clothes and skittered around her into the bathroom.
"What exactly are we doing?" she asked, moving around the far side of the bed in search of her boots. She found them and pulled them on, sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Training," he grumbled.
A flash of the dream she had while next to the river: two pale teens battling. . .training.
This is too much, she sighed, being back here. . .with them.
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Eragon collapsed on the soggy ground. The sun had died shortly after they began training and had been consumed by storms. The rain fell hard, lightning flashed, and thunder boomed, yet still they worked. He had battled Murtagh for hours on end, slipping in the slick grass and mud. The older man outmatched him with ease, scrapes and bruises were proof of that. The only reason they had stopped was that Eragon suffered a nasty slice on his side.
Now, he watched as Reilyn fought the pale Rider. The two older teens moved swiftly, circling one another, blocking and dodging hard blows. Though Eragon himself was exhausted, Murtagh seemed unaffected by the strains of fighting.
I never realized how powerful he is. . .or that he held back on me before. . .
He flinched as Reilyn slipped on the grass, barely deflecting a blow from Murtagh's red blade. He smiled as she swept her leg, bringing raven haired Murtagh down with her. Cheering her on silently as she unarmed the teen and pinned him
"Again!" Morzan bellowed, making Eragon cower.
He watched as Reilyn let the older boy up, taking her position. The rain drenched her, making her wavy hair curl more and her clothes stick. Eragon was impressed at her skills, he hadn't managed to get close to Murtagh and she'd already pinned him once.
"Murtagh! You better not be easing up on that brat!" Morzan yelled.
His son made eye contact and shook his head once, moving to his place.
"Good boy!" his father called. "Begin!"
Eragon winced as the two people he cared for most, clashed their unguarded blades together.
I never knew Rei was capable of. . .this he thought. She's more than I ever imagined. . .trained with Murtagh, almost as strong as the man. . .
He looked away as Murtagh overpowered the girl, pinning her with his red blade to her neck.
"She's lost some of that touch," Morzan grumbled, pacing on the sidelines.
The older two battled until it was far past dark and impossible to see. All three teens shivered as they made their was back to the castle.
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Murtagh sighed when he entered his room, basking in the warmth. A servant had stoked a roaring fire in the stone fireplace, set three trays of steaming food on the ledge in front of the flames, and dry clothes for Eragon and Reilyn lay on the bed. No candles or lanterns were lit, the fire cast enough light for one to see and move around safely.
"Reilyn, you change first," he commanded. "Eragon, I want to see that side of yours."
The red-head shot him an untrusting glare, but obeyed none the less, grabbing her set of sleeping clothes and heading to the bathroom. When she shut the door, leaving it unlocked, he turned to the brunette.
"You or me?" he asked, gesturing the boys soaking shirt.
"I can do it," Eragon whispered, moving to untie the laces.
Murtagh nodded and kicked his boots off, then dropped his pants and stepped out of them. Quickly, he moved to the wardrobe and pulled on black sleep pants. He stripped off his vest and shirt, casting the wet clothes aside, and stood before the fire. Hearing Eragon's shirt hit the floor with a splat, he turned to face the boy.
The brunette stood, shivering and stared uneasily at Murtagh. The cut on his side oozed blood, but didn't look deep.
"Come here, by the fire," Murtagh motioned.
Slowly, Eragon complied, slinking to the fire and staring at the floor. Murtagh gently touched his side, hating how the younger one flinched when his hand touched. Reilyn emerged from changing, startling them both, and crawled into bed, curling under the blankets.
Murtagh was about to tell her to eat something, when he noticed the poor girl was already fast asleep. He looked at Eragon out of the corner of his eye, seeing the boy smile at his exhausted friend. Murtagh's eyes fell on the bleeding side and he sat on the ledge, grabbing the boy's waist and turning him to get better light.
"It's not deep," he murmured, running his hands over the tanned skin. "Won't even scar." He smiled and placed his hand over the wound, healing it quickly.
"I meant what I said last night," Eragon whispered, grabbing his wrist. "About loving you."
Murtagh tensed and stared into the dancing flames, trying to ignore the boy. Eragon saw his attempt and made it impossible for the elder to block him out. He felt the boy's hands on his face and he closed his eyes.
No, he commanded his body, don't let him close. . .
"You can't," he rasped, looking at the young caramel eyes. "You can't love me! No one does or ever will!"
"That's a lie and you know it," Eragon said, running his hands in the raven hair.
Murtagh shivered, biting his lip, as the young boy played with the hair on the nape of his neck. He felt Eragon kneel down and his breathing picked up.
He's just going to end up hurting me! Just like Reilyn did. . .when she left. . .
"Eragon, no," he whispered, trying to escape he boy. "I can't. . ."
"Why not?" the boy asked innocently, rubbing Murtagh's thighs. "Murtagh, I'm not going to hurt you. I love you. . .even if you feel for me and Reilyn, I'll love you forever."
Liar! his mind screamed.
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Reilyn lay under the blankets, feigning sleep. She shifted and opened her eyes when she heard Eragon talking to Murtagh. The teen watched as Eragon ran his hands in the older boys hair, telling him he was a liar.
Murtagh looked terrified, trying to move away from the young boy. Reilyn couldn't make out all of what they were saying, but one thing hit her hard.
Murtagh cares for both Eragon and I? she felt panic swell in her heart. How is that possible?
"Eragon!" Murtagh said harshly. "Stop it! I just can't right now! You don't understand. . ."
"I suppose I'll just go to sleep then," Eragon whispered, moving to the bed.
Reilyn shut her eyes and evened out her breathing as the brunette slid into the blankets. Eragon pulled her close and she sensed he was crying. She opened her eyes and gently touched his face, making him jump. She put a finger to his lips and wiped his tears away, brushing back his hair, she kissed his cheek.
She jumped when she felt someone else slide in on her other side and Eragon hugged her closer.
Murtagh, she realized, suddenly very uncomfortable.
She settled into Eragon and felt the boy drift off after a long while. Carefully, she moved so her back was to Eragon and watched the pale Rider.
We were close once, she thought, seeing how alone the elder was. Did we love each other I wonder. . .I can't remember much of him. . .
Her heart felt for the boy, she knew what alone was like. . .she also knew what being somewhat close to someone was like.
He's pushing everyone away, she noted.
Calling up her courage, she silently moved closer to Murtagh. Biting her lower lip, she reached out with a trembling hand and traced a scar on his torso.