Page 7 of The Phoenix Inheritance

“By Gods, that’s foul! What did you put in this? The bottom of the Solenz lake?”

I snatch the bowl away before he can complain any more, more vexed than I care to admit. It’s true that the fish in these waters have a strong taste, but with a little imagination it doesn’t taste half as bad.

“Sit here,” I order as I pull out a stool, and stifle a giggle when I see squatting would be the more appropriate term. “Don’t move while I bandage this to your wrist so that it stays still.”

His eyes narrow when he catches sight of the fork I brandish in lieu of a splint.

“I’m not sure I trust you.”

I sigh as I place the silverware and wind the plaster around his burly forearm. “You don’t have to. But I think a woman with a fork has more to fear from a man with a two foot sword.”

And then, to my consternation, he chuckles. It isn’t the widest beam I ever witnessed, nor the most boisterous laugh I ever heard. But he smiles, and it’s definitely a step up from the scowls he’s been sporting since our impromptu encounter.

My heart skips a beat. Now Dane doesn’t merely look handsome – his face lights up and he’s positively radiant. His dark air dispels like clouds after a storm, all that is left is pure, utter glory.

“I’m sure you could wield your way with a fork. You’re small, but from what I see you’re pretty crafty.”

I bite back a grin, pleased at the compliment. “I don’t let circumstances weigh me down. Not even when they come in the form of a three-hundred pound male landing in my fishing nets.”

To my delight, Dane laughs again. A little louder, a little more easily. Carefree still isn’t a word that would suit him in a thousand years with his heavy brows and grave grey eyes, but at least the bleak look he’d had outside is gone.

“That must’ve been frightening for you.” All of a sudden his good mood vanishes, and his gaze drops. “Did you… see me falling?”

Guilt and shame lace his husky voice. Still fastening the bandage, I crouch slightly to capture his attention.

“I did,” I say softly. “That’s why I stretched my nets just in time.” An incredulous air passes over his face, and I understand he hadn’t realized that I purposefully saved him. “Of course I would, with such an impressive haul flying straight to me.”

One corner of his mouth twitches again, until it forms a half grin. Close as we are, I’m once again hit with the absurd urge to kiss him.

“There’s nothing impressive about me,” he mutters, and I can tell from the low timbre of his tone that he isn’t used to sharing this particular thought.

As I tie the final knot in the gauze, I didn’t intend to trap his hand within mine. He shoots me an air of surprise.

“Not in my eyes,” I pledge with a tiny grin. “And even if the opinion of a near stranger doesn’t mean much to you, well there’s at least one thing you should remember, next time you find yourself near a cliff.”

It’s like we’re drawn inexorably to one another. I blink, and the next instant his irresistible face hovers a mere snail’s breath away from mine.

“What is it?” Dane rasps.

I bite my lip to keep it from reaching out to his, and struggle to remember the crucial thought I wanted to communicate to him.

“That you still have plenty of time to be impressive,” I tell him earnestly, unable to look anywhere but at those solemn beams of grey. “You’re strong, you’re able, and you have more presence than the entire army of Sowilo put together. You’re someone who can do all kinds of things in this world…” I let a small smile curl across my face. “If only you stick around to achieve them.”

For a few endless moments, Dane continues to study me with that intense look of his. I can see my words have weaved their way into his thoughts, and I couldn’t be more glad.

But it also means my purpose is done. My short stint in the story of this man with the glorious copper hair is over. Hopefully he will go on to live many adventures, and I can only pray that never again will he set foot near the Solenz lake. He doesn’t belong here in the Barrens, where life is only half of what it can be.

“It looks like I’m finished here,” I force out in a tight voice. “Make sure to keep your wrist rested for two days, and don’t hesitate to put ice over the wound if it aches. Maintaining your arm above chest level also helps. In two to three weeks, you should be fine.”

Dane doesn’t get up. I’m not certain he even processed my advice. He’s still staring at me, as if something is holding him back.

“You can go now,” are my whispered words.

This time, Dane gets the message. He rises, mumbles a few words of thanks, and bows down to fit through the door. The sun already began to set, and the reddish hues dance bewitchingly in his bronzen strands.

“Have a safe trip back,” I say as I grip the handle a little too forcefully.

I think Dane’s lips twist into a small grin, but it’s so subtle I can’t be sure. He gazes at me more searingly than anyone before, and that tingly feeling rises within me once more.

“Goodbye, Isobel.”

And then he leaves. I follow his hulking form through the white steppes, until it disappears into the dark forest that borders the Solenz.

That’s the first time he said my name, I muse wistfully. What a shame that it’s also the last.

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