Page 61 of Quest

“What do you need from me?” I asked, my voice laden with resignation.

Kael scrutinized me, his expression calculating as he considered how to articulate his demands. “I need banebreaker draught.”

He spoke the name in a hushed tone that indicated he understood the gravity of what he sought. My breath caught in surprise. That particular elixir was complex and fraught with risk, part of my advanced herbal studies but one I’d never actually brewed; I had never found myself in a situation that would demand a spell so complicated and dangerous.

Kael’s request allowed me to begin to piece together the broader implications of his plan, and for the first time in our exchange I understood why he’d resorted to blackmail. I reassessed him, noting a flicker of uncertainty beneath his controlled façade. Despite his coercive tactics, it seemed his confidence in my herbal skills was genuine—or perhaps he was simply desperate.

His hand unconsciously went to his arm and I narrowed my eyes, imagining the blight masked by his sleeve that was undoubtedly the source of his demands. “Can you brew it?” His voice betrayed a hint of doubt, revealing his inner turmoil not just over the potion but perhaps over the manipulation itself.

“It requires very specific, rare ingredients,” I said cautiously. “I don’t have them.”

“I’ll provide what you need; all I need is for you to prepare them and perform the magic.”

Questions burned my tongue but for the moment I held them back. The depth of blackmail had deepened, creating a complex situation that surpassed my ability to manage alone, intertwining with demands that stretched the very limits of my capabilities.

“I’ve never brewed it before,” I admitted. “But I know the theory. If you can trust my skills, I’ll attempt it.”

It wasn’t a promise I was entirely certain I could keep, and by his sudden reservation, he sensed my uncertainty. “I’ll be waiting.” He held up my pouch of herbs and disguise materials, a reminder of the stakes involved.

The game had changed, and I had to adjust my strategy accordingly.

The weight of our encounter lingered long after Kael’s departure, pressing down on me with the heavy realization that I needed more than my own wits to navigate this predicament. The woman who was once fiercely independent now had someone she could depend on to help shoulder burdens that were too heavy to bear alone. It was time to seek help, to rely on the trust I had built with Darcel…for whatever lay ahead for the two of us, I knew I could trust him to walk through it with me.

CHAPTER 24

Resolve filled me as I made my way through the lightening forest back to camp, anticipating the upcoming conversation. I knew I needed to confide in Darcel, but even with the trust I placed in him each step was laden with the dread of what I was about to reveal and the potential repercussions that might ensue. However, there was comfort in knowing that, regardless of what lay ahead, he would stand by me.

A familiar surge to handle this alone rose within me, a remnant of my past self who would have let pride and a fierce need for independence dictate my silence. But I wasn’t the same person who had started this quest—I had changed, evolved not just in circumstance but in character. This journey had not only transformed me, but given me someone I could trust.

The challenge was finding him. Kael had mentioned that the group was searching for me; his ability to locate me first attested to his tracking skills, a talent I lacked, especially in the expansive, dark woods. Venturing too far off the path would likely result in my getting lost, a risk I couldn’t afford with time so pressing.

I opted to go back to camp, a logical point of return for Darcel. The campsite was deserted, with untouched bedrolls and the fire’s dying embers signaling the haste of their departure. Guilt washed over me at the concern my absence must have caused.

I settled down to wait, hoping Darcel would return before Sir Jiang or Kael. Thankfully, it seemed as if Darcel’s heart was in tune with mine—a compass for my location—for barely fifteen minutes had passed before I heard the unmistakable sound of someone hurrying through the trees. Moments later Darcel emerged, breathless and wide-eyed—an indication of the extent to which he had driven himself in his search.

“Darcel.” I rose to meet him, but he closed the distance in an instant, pulling me into a tight embrace.

“Where have you been?” he demanded. I could feel his strong heartbeat pounding frantically against me from his exertion and anxiety.

“I was gathering herbs?—”

“In the middle of the night, and alone?” He released a breath that was a mix of relief and exasperation. “I adore you for your independence, but must you torture me with worry?” Despite his harsh reprimand, some of the panic that had initially hardened his tone softened at the assurance of having me in his arms.

His fierce hold gradually loosened, but I wasn’t quite ready to let him go. Slipping my arms around him, I leaned my cheek against his chest. “I’m sorry. I’m still trying to adjust to having someone to share my burdens with.”

Some of his frustration dissipated at my words. “This is new for both of us, but please never put me through that again.” His touch was exceedingly gentle as he stroked my hair.

I allowed myself a moment to bask in his embrace, when I didn’t have to worry about secrets, blackmail, or whatever mess our comrade had entangled himself in. It was just me, the man I fiercely loved, and the security of his arms that promised me that no matter what I faced I wasn’t alone.

I wanted to remain in this moment forever, but eventually reality penetrated this tender security. I started to wriggle away, but his hold was unrelenting, rendering my reluctant escape impossible. He pressed a gentle kiss to my brow. “Will you tell me what herbs were worth nearly giving me a heart attack?”

“My disguise ointment and all the herbs required to brew another are missing.”

He yanked back in alarm. “Missing?” Even amid his incredulity he seemed to sense that the situation had far greater ramifications than it first appeared. His expression quickly shifted from concern to his usual single-minded focus.

I took a deep breath, the cool air filling my lungs as I prepared to shatter the peace between us. “Kael knows who I really am. He took my herbs and the things I use for my disguise, but is willing to return them…for a price.”

“Kael?” Disbelief momentarily flashed in his eyes, followed by betrayal, before protectiveness hardened his expression. His hands gripped mine tightly as he glanced around in fruitless search for our missing companion. “And he’s threatening you?” The words emerged as a growl, like he was moments away from calling for the man’s execution.

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