Chapter 6: Don’t Panic—I’m Your Cousin and Your Destiny Handler
613words
That was the first thing he said when he opened his eyes.
Not “Who are you?”
Not “Where am I?”
Just one parched, cracked word: “Water.”
“Easy there, thirsty boy.”
I crouched beside him, dabbing a damp cloth across his forehead.
“But before we get to hydration, let’s clarify something first—
Have you been unconscious for three days, or just pretending to nap while we fussed over you?”
One eye cracked open to look at me. His Adam’s apple twitched. “Who... are you?”
I gave him my most benevolent smile.
“I’m your cousin. Got that? Cousin. Real close.”
He frowned harder. “I... don’t have a cousin.”
“You do now.”
I scooped some water from a cracked bowl and held it to his lips.
“Drink. It’s not poisoned. But if you don’t cooperate, I might spice it up next time—with some rotten burdock root, maybe.”
He hesitated, then sipped.
“Smart,” I nodded. “Drink up. Then we can talk about how you ended up as a wolf snack platter on our turf without becoming actual dinner.”
“You’re not one of them,” he said suddenly, studying me. “You don’t smell... pure.”
I rolled my eyes. “Did you just call me a mutt? Bold of you, considering you’re half-dead.”
He fell silent, eyes scanning the room now—calculating, on guard.
I sighed and sat down. Time to drop the playful tone.
“You’ve got three slash wounds, two bone fractures, and one ear nearly torn off. I saved you, not out of kindness, but because I know your future.”
I met his gaze.
“Right now, you don’t remember. But I do. I remember how you once stood cold and silent on the tribunal, watching as they dragged us slaves out one by one.”
His expression tightened. “You’re lying.”
“Maybe. Or maybe I’m just crazy enough to save the man who will one day condemn me.”
I leaned in. “Crazier still—I plan to use you.”
He tried to sit up and winced in pain.
I shoved him back down. “Don’t rush to play tough. Right now you can’t even roll over. Your one and only job is to listen.”
He gritted his teeth. “What do you want?”
I smiled slowly.
“I want to flip this place upside down. And you—whether cousin, or pawn—you’re going to help me do it.”
He didn’t answer. His lip twitched, like he was biting back either a laugh or a curse.
Later that night, Ember (a.k.a. Gossip Queen) snuck into my room and dragged me out by the sleeve.
“Daphne! Everyone’s talking... Did you pick up a man?”
I blinked. “Already? It’s only been a few hours!”
“You said he’s your cousin, but like—he’s hot.”
She blushed furiously. “Too hot. Suspiciously hot.”
“So?”
“So now people are saying... you might be falling for him.”
I smacked the back of her head. “I’m staging a rebellion, not matchmaking! Can you focus?”
“But he’s a guy! A really pretty guy!”
“You think he’s pretty because you haven’t seen him smile while pulling out someone’s fingernails,” I muttered. “He used to snack on grapes while watching executions.”
Ember’s eyes widened. “So... we picked up a walking disaster?”
“No,” I said, looking back toward the shed. “We picked up a turning point.”
“And honestly, if he does try anything funny—”
“What’ll you do?” Ember leaned in.
I grinned. “Kiss him. See if I can shock him into passing out.”
“You’re insane.”
“Exactly.” I stretched. “Only someone insane would bring home the future enemy and call him family.”
Meanwhile, inside the shed, the injured boy stirred.
His fingers brushed the corner of his mouth.
“She said... kiss me?”
His cheeks flushed, and he quickly shut his eyes.
“Crazy woman.”
