Page 38 of Light and Shadow
“I should have been by your side at all times.” Dropping his hands, he lowers his gaze from mine.
It hurts to breathe too deeply, and I wince at the attempt, then try again with better success. “Aaran, these kinds of promises are never worth crap. My father promised to spend a lifetime with my mother, but he died. It’s not his fault. He meant the vow at the time. Still, he couldn’t keep it. I just need some time to heal and maybe a good shrink for the rest of my life. I’ll be fine.”
Easing his chin up, he looks long into my eyes, and my heart pounds even though I’m too exhausted to do anything but look. He says, “Then you forgive me?”
My muscles scream as I sit up straight and try to stretch, only to have to stop my arms halfway up, and lower them. Even that is too much effort. “I don’t think this was your fault, but if you need my forgiveness, then you have it.”
He pulls me into his arms. “Thank you.”
It is agony and ecstasy all at once. “Gently,” I whisper.
“What is a shrink?”
Even laughing hurts and transforms into a groan. “A doctor to tell your problems to.”
“Ah.” Easing his hug, he kisses my cheek. “I’m going to get you some water. The lake isn’t far. If you want to bathe, I can carry you there.”
I need to wash. There’s no doubt about it. “Can I rest a while?”
He nods. “I’ll bring you water. I thought we’d be able to portal since you’ve only been through two, but you’re not strong enough, and I’ve already been through three. I should have brought more soldiers from the village.” Digging in his backpack that he bought in New Jersey, he pulls out a small blanket.
My life in my world feels like an eternity ago, but it was only a few days—or a lifetime. I tuck the rolled-up blue and green flowered throw under my head and lie on my side in the cool grass. “Thanks. I lost my father’s ring.”
Sorrow fills his too-blue eyes. “He’s with you still.”
“I know.” It comes out teary and weak. I want to tell him to rest or to care for the others. I want to beg him to lie beside me and keep me company. I don’t say any of it. I let my tears fall and close my eyes.
Aaran
Harper’s tears break my heart. I want to wipe them away and allthe memories of the witch queen with them. Later I will try to ease her pain. Now I need to help secure the encampment and be ready to ward off attacks.
Venora was damaged, that much was obvious. She will need time to heal, but how long, I don’t know. For the moment, I think we are safe.
Over a hundred souls to look after. I was supposed to bring one human woman from her world to Domhan. It should have been simple. Perhaps that’s my lesson. Nothing is ever as easy as expected.
As I speak the spells that ward the area and will alert us if an attack is imminent, I pray my brothers will have had an easier path. I have more questions than answers, and that worries me.
Once food is cooking on the fire and water has been brought from the lake just west of our position, I sit a few feet from where Harper is sleeping. Someone covered her with a threadbare blanket, and several of the freed elves watch her from different places around the camp.
As the sun dips below the horizon and the two moons rise, her sleep is fitful, and nightmares haunt her. Flashes of black lightning snap from her mind to mine.
To keep my wits, I block her thoughts. If I don’t, I fear I’ll run off in a rage to find and kill that bitch who harmed Harper. That is not the way to destroy Venora. It’s been tried, and those warriors were all lost to shadow. It takes a few moments to calm myself.
I’m not one to ask for help, but maybe that’s a flaw in my character. I’m grateful for the extra eyes and would welcome their support if a battle comes, which it likely will.
I remove my sword and belt and rest them beside me. My hand itches to grasp the hilt and keep the first watch, but Jax has taken charge for the first few hours, and Harper may need me if she wakes.
Bert sits across from me and hands me a leg of a small bird that’s been roasted. “It’s slim pickings here.”
Fancor slaps Bert on the back. “That foul woman has poisoned much of this land, and the game with it. We’ll fare better in the mountains or across the sea. Even the fish in Mòr Lake are few now.”
Nainsi sits next to Bert. “These people need care. I don’t know if they’ll make the journey ahead.”
“They can’t stay here.” Fancor finishes a bite of meat. “We’ll take things slow, but which way are we heading?”
Quiet as a mouse, Harper moves and sits beside me.
“You should rest,” Nainsi tells her.
