her to do that, since she couldn’t use the Veluthian servers to analyse the compound.”
Serena shook off her tension and grabbed the whole steak, taking a big bite.
“And I thought you were dead…” Wolfin sighed.
“About that…” Serena squinted her eyes at the man, her gaze becoming suspicious. “How? Why were you so sure I was dead?”
Wolfin silently raised his left wrist, showing her a familiar design of a bracelet – a thin wavy dark metal with a single small stone on it. Though, her own bracelet had the stone glimmering.
“This wasn’t a simple gift, Scorpi. I left something to keep an eye on you. It was supposed to let me know if you were alive or not.” Wolfin said. “If the stone was lit, it meant you were alright.”
Serena realised that when Tekkern shot her arm off, the bracelet was destroyed with it, showing Wolfin the dire news.
“You kept an eye on me?” the woman asked, trying to grasp at the concept of her past mentor watching out for her without even showing his face.
“I did. Every now and again I would inquire how you were doing in the academy and how well you were progressing in your studies.”
“Then why not face me? Why do all that and… not even know what I look like?”
The man smiled sadly:
“It was enough for me to know you were alright. Everything else didn’t matter. I didn’t want to ruin your life, so…”
“Ruin my life? The fuck you’re talking about?” Serena suddenly bared her teeth in anger.
“What did your father tell you, when I was transferred?” Wolfin remained calm, even though the woman looked like she was about to strike him.
“He said I was getting too attached to you.”
“He was afraid that if I’ll be with you while you’ll be growing up, you’ll end up seeking my company more than just that of a mentor.”
Serena was taken aback by these words, confused at the sheer assumption of her father being so short-sighted.
“The fuck?” was all she could say.
Wolfin smirked:
“Your father feared that eventually we’ll end up in bed. He didn’t want a no name like me ending up with his precious daughter. And he promised me that if he ever sees me again near you, he will do everything in his power to destroy me. He also promised me that he’ll ruin your reputation as well, so that you won’t have a future anywhere, but in outer space, being a mercenary without a home.”
Serena felt waves of shock washing over her, making her body tremble. She now understood the sheer disdain her father looked at her with, and all the times he had shown her how little he thought of her.
“That Old Fart wasn’t happy seeing me being a better father to you than he ever was.” Wolfin said, seeing the woman obviously distressed.
The man washed his face once more and got out of the basin, grabbing one of the towels he left there the day before, when he thought about offering Serena a bath. Drying himself, he didn’t look at Serena, who still sat frozen in the water, incapable of saying anything.
Once he dressed up, Wolfin threw the towel aside and glanced at the woman, seeing her frozen in thought.
“Scorpi.” the man called out and she raised her head just as he kneeled next to her.
“What?” she barked, angry at everything she found out about her father.
Wolfin grabbed a block of soap and offered it to her. The woman took it, frowning, and the man chuckled, suddenly pushing her head under the water. When Serena managed to free herself from his hand and take a breath, she saw him walking off with the empty bowl, cackling.
“Wash your hair, Scorpi.” he laughed.
The woman wiped her face, irritated at his stunt, but decided that she really should wash out all the dirt and blood from her hair.
“You asshole.” she growled at the man.
Chapter 6. Dalilah
“Got any spare clothes I can use?” Serena’s voice sounded through the sound of water dripping down onto the rocks.
Wolfin turned to her and saw her pressing out her hair, surprising him with a long mane, pure silver in colour.
“Holy seven hells of Polonnas!” the man breathed out. “Where have you been hiding all that length? And since when are you carrying long hair?”
Serena froze, meeting his gaze and ignoring the fact she stood there completely naked in front of him:
“Since a man I looked up to said to me that only the strongest can grow their hair out.” she said. “I took an oath to cut my hair only when I will be defeated in a duel or on the battlefield.”
Wolfin blinked, surprised to hear this:
“And when was the last time you cut your hair?”
“A week before turning seven.” Serena smirked.
“Any longer, and you’ll have as long of a braid as Artemis Serdana herself!” Wolfin shook his head, walking over to his supplies to look for some fresh clothes. “How many duels have you had?”
“Uh…” Serena fell silent, obviously counting. “Shit… Don’t know. I used to have about seventeen duels…”
Wolfin chuckled, choosing for her a fresh set of pants and a shirt.
“Seventeen a week…” Serena continued, making the man freeze from shock. “For five years in the academy… then about thirteen each week while under commander…”
“Wait!” Wolfin turned to her, frowning. “And you’ve never lost?”
Serena walked up, taking the clothes from him:
“Not once.” she said with a smirk.
“But why do you hide all that hair in such intricate braids then?”
“There’s time to show off one’s strength, and times to conceal it from prying eyes, Wolfin.” Serena began to put on the pants. “You taught me that, remember?”
“You remember…”
“I remember everything you’ve taught me, Woofy.” the woman finally got the new shirt on, which was obviously too big for her. “Especially the tales of Artemis Serdana. And all those cautionary tales of never trusting men…”
“Is that what you think those were?”
“Weren’t they? She was killed by her own husband.” Serena began braiding her wet hair again.
“It not a tale of caution to never trust men, Scorpi. It’s a tale of how vulnerable we can be, putting our trust in the wrong people.”
He watched her collect her hair and make it seem like it’s no longer than her shoulders.
“Look, I know that you were telling me those stories, because you wanted me to know how dangerous it can be finding a man…” she said, tilting her head.
“Why do I get the feeling those stories made you deny all suitors?”
“Not all of them.” Serena’s face turned sour. “I was attacked at my own engagement party, remember?”
“I meant… before that. How many suitors have you denied?”
“Enough to make a very long list of duels that I’ve won.” the woman looked at the boulder, blocking the entrance. “How long is it until the sun is up?”
Wolfin took a moment to think, then sighed:
“Grab