Page 40 of A Lick of Flame

“Yes.” She nods. “I do. You can relax. You’re quite safe. Your tent is right next to ours. Ethan will keep men posted all night.”

“What about the fae?” I ask.

“What about him?” Olivia makes a face.

“Will he have to stay tied up all night?”

“Yes, of course. He’s dangerous, Maya. You know that, right?” She narrows her eyes. “You’re asking me all these questions about Ethan, but you want to untie the fae. That doesn’t make any kind of sense.”

“He’s helping me. That’s all it is.”

“So he says. I’m not sure I’m buying it. You should be more cautious.”

“I am, and I will be.” I let out a heavy sigh, my gaze shifting down to the remains of my food. “Do you know if the fae has eaten anything?”

She shrugs. “I’m sure that someone has given him something.”

That’s just too blasé for my liking. I’ve stayed away as long as I can. “I’m going to check on him.”

“No, you really shouldn’t.” Olivia’s brow creases with worry. She shakes her head. “Leave him be. The fae are resilient. It’s probably better if he’s weak.”

“Better for who?” What a terrible mindset to have.

“For all of us. For the last time, he’s dangerous, Maya.”

“I’m going to check on him.” I put the crusty bread into the bowl.

“Be careful,” Olivia urges.

“I’ll be fine,” I insist as I pick up my waterskin. My steps are slow and deliberate as I allow my eyes to adjust to the dim light.

“Where are you going, girly?” one of the men hollers.

I ignore him.

“Leave that stinking fae be!” one of the others shouts.

“Come and sit with us,” someone else calls. “You can sit on my lap.” He laughs.

“No! On my lap,” yet another jeers, causing the rest of them to erupt in boisterous cheers.

I tune out their crude remarks and continue, feeling the weight of their leering stares on my back. I sense another pair of eyes on me...Orion’s. My whole body heats with awareness. Is it true? Has he cast a spell on me? It’s in moments like this that I am sure he has.

17

Orion

Maya gasps as she kneels down beside me. “What in Kakara’s name have they done to you?” she whispers, her eyes blazing.

My right eye is swollen from when I took an elbow earlier, but I’m fine. It’s all superficial. I moan against my gag for a second or two and struggle against my restraints, feeling the rough bark of the tree against my back. My hands and legs are bound tightly, a clear sign that these humans are not taking any chances with me. But then again, I didn't expect anything less from them. I should be grateful that I’m still alive. I could have been killed on the spot.

“This is too much,” Maya mutters as she fumbles with the gag, slowly unpicking the knot. “I’m so sorry,” she whispers. “If I had known that they’d left you like this, I would have been here sooner.”

“You shouldn’t be here at all,” I grind out as soon as the gag is removed. I try to swallow, but my throat is too parched. “You’re going to get into trouble for helping me,” I add, my voice a rough rasp.

“I brought you food and water.” She holds the skin to my lips, and I drink deeply, some of the liquid spilling down my chin.

“Thank you,” I say.

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