Page 138 of Sweetling
Everything will be all right.
“We won’t keep you. Just please know, our thoughts and hopes are with you and Allarion tonight.”
Molly bit the inside of her cheek to keep back the tears, nodding brusquely to the half-orc’s kind words.
“I’m sorry for not being much of a hostess. The house has everything you need, just ask for it.”
His brows drew lower over his finely chiseled face. “I’d meant to ask—the house is…?”
“Alive, yes. The magic. It understands you when you speak.” Raising her gaze and her voice, she called out, “House, help them with anything they need, all right? Everyone here is a friend.”
The shutters of the kitchen window rattled, making several halflings jump. Even through the tawny fur, she thought Balar paled as he looked around at the rafters, the reality of a sentient house sinking in.
Having his answer didn’t seem to fill Lord Hakon with confidence, but he shook his head when she asked whether they needed anything else.
“We’ll manage. Be with your mate.”
“I’ll be back in the morning,” she said, more to the house than anyone else.
She left to a chorus of farewells and chattering shingles. Girded with the coverlets, she headed straight into the forest, the shrubs and brambles curling out of her way. Although she could hardly see in the gloam, she put one foot in front of the other, trusting the forest to not let her fall.
By the time she made it back to the meadow, the darkness was thick and cold. Only a sliver of a moon hung in the sky, offering little light. Still, Molly had just enough to see the meadow opening up ahead.
The shadowy form of Bellarand was her landmark, and his dark head lifted as she neared. He watched her with those fathomless, liquid eyes as she shook out a coverlet and laid it out over Allarion—and all the glowing roots encasing him.
Next, she spread another coverlet over Bellarand. He said nothing, not even a little quip, until she’d crawled under her own blanket and settled beside Allarion.
Did you eat and drink at the house?
No.She’d completely forgotten in her haste.
He’ll be displeased when he wakes to find out.
Well, I’m displeased he got stabbed, so we’ll both have to be unhappy with each other for a bit.
Bellarand huffed a horsey laugh before laying his long head over both her and Allarion. The weight of him was solid and comforting, and the warmth from his great body seeped through the coverlets to keep out the worst of the night’s chill.
Still, Molly couldn’t help shivering.
“Did he wake up while I was gone?”
No. He won’t wake for a while yet. The long sleep will take as long as it needs.
Peeking under the blanket covering Allarion, Molly watched the glow of the roots. Peeling back the tattered shoulder of his tunic revealed skin newly sealed back together. The scar was pink and raw, but his skin had already knitted well.
Before she could pull the coverlet further down to check the slash at his side, Bellarand slid his head up to pin her.
Go to sleep, titmouse,he advised.The best thing for both of you is sleep.
Molly didn’t know how she could possibly sleep after today, yet as she lay in the little cocoon the three of them made, warm and beside her fae, her eyes grew heavier and heavier. The weight of the day, the worry over Allarion, somehow both lifted and bore down on her, heavier than Bellarand’s head.
Burying her face against Allarion’s arm, Molly took a long, deep breath.
You’ll wake me if something happens?
I promise. I’ll look after you both.
She meant to tell him not to try anything funny while she was asleep, like cover her in pinecones or steal her blanket, but Molly was already slipping away.
