Page 85 of A Lick of Flame

“By anywhere, I mean back to my village,” I blurt. “Back to the orphanage.” I smile too broadly.

Orion smiles back, but it is tense. “Of course you do.”

Back to the orphanage.

Back.

I don’t feel like I belong there anymore. It’s like I have changed shape, and the space I used to fill won’t be a good fit anymore. I have a feeling that even if I lived at the orphanage for another ten years, I still wouldn’t fit. Sometimes, people change in a way that is lasting. I think it may very well be the case with me.

“I’m sure that the other sisters have missed you,” Orion says, trying to fill the silence, which isn’t like him.

I nod, thinking of Louisa and how she’s keeping a secret for me. I feel guilty. I should never have burdened her with all of it. It was wrong of me.

We ride for a while in silence. At first, the forest is thick, but the trees slowly become less dense, and the terrain starts to open up.

Orion gets that familiar stance where his head comes up, and he cocks it to the side. We lock eyes; his are filled with concern.

“What is it?” I whisper, even though I know what he is about to say.

“Riders approaching. There are two or three of them. Go now,” he tells me.

“Go where?”

“Turn Midnight and go back to the pool. Go as quickly as you can without making too much noise. I will find you there.”

“I can’t leave you.”

“You can and you must. I’m not sure I can take three armed fae without my powers. Now go while you can. I will talk my way out of it. I swear!”

I nod once.

“Be safe,” he adds. I think he is going to say something else, but he doesn’t.

I turn Midnight around and jog away. It doesn’t take long before the forest gets too dense, and I am forced to walk in places. Midnight neighs, and I hear Copper’s answering neigh.

I groan softly. So much for getting away unnoticed. I keep going since I know it is what Orion would want me to do. I don’t hear any shouting or the telltale sound of steel against steel.

Before too long, I am back in the beautiful clearing, staring into the pool of blue water.

Should I dismount?

I decide against it, choosing instead to be ready to flee. The seconds tick by slowly. Midnight prances and triples a few times; he doesn’t like the inaction. He certainly doesn’t like standing like this, but it can’t be helped. I pat his neck as we wait and wait. It feels like an age, when in reality, it isn’t long at all.

Then I hear voices…talking, laughing, more talking. The deep voices of men but also a softer, higher voice of a woman. Is it Olivia? Do they have Orion? Should I run or hold my ground?

“It’s us,” I hear Orion calling out to me. “I’m with someone you know. All is well.”

Is it, though?

I’m not sure I’ll believe him until I see it with my own eyes. I hold my breath for a few seconds, and then Orion rides out into the clearing, still leading Toto. Xander and Thesha are behind him.

“It’s you,” I say, my eyes as big as saucers. I don’t have to look at my reflection to know it.

“Hi.” Thesha smiles and waves.

“Hello,” I say back, waving too. I almost can’t believe what I am seeing.

As when I met her before, I am struck by her beauty. Her hair is tightly braided in an intricate design. She is wearing a leather jerkin that hugs her feminine figure, and leather breeches with long riding boots. She has three swords of various lengths strapped to her body, with a knife at both her thigh and her ankle. I am sure she has more weapons on her person as well.

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