Page 42 of Light and Shadow
“So you want me for now, and you came to save me because you want me, and when your brothers find the other two humans, you’ll need us to save your world.” She keeps her tone even, as if this is a business discussion.
I comb through the last knot and slip the teeth through her drying tresses again and again. “While I don’t know what will happen in the course of our journey to the Great Gate or what lies beyond for us, I can promise you one thing. I will want you for all time. You are my heart, and if we survive, I would beg for the opportunity to remain with you.”
She leans back against my chest, and I wrap my arms around her. “You always say the nicest things, even if they are impossible dreams, Aaran Riordan.”
Part of me knows that what she says is true. I don’t care. The idea of living without Harper hurts too much. “We have now.”
“We have now,” she whispers, taking the comb from my hand and placing it to the side. She lies on her side, eyes clear, watching the flames dim and the camp settle.
Behind her, I hold her until her breath is steady and even, and I’m glad for her to find sleep finally.
Chapter Eleven
Harper
Iwake up with the sun above the horizon and the camp bustling around me. This is our third camp, and the third morning I’ve struggled to wake since we left Tobhtá. My hair is a riot of waves. I should have braided it last night. With a sigh, I comb my fingers through the mess and make one plait while the elves cook in battered pots and pans they brought with them.
The pain in my gut lurks like it could escalate at any moment. I rub the space just under my sternum and take a breath, let it out, and accept that there are other people here in far worse condition.
Nainsi smiles as she walks toward me. “You look better.” She sits.
“I feel as if I’ve been run over by a truck.” I laugh. “Which is actually better than I felt yesterday.”
We both chuckle, and she examines a bruise and scratch on my upper arm. “You’re stronger than you look.”
“Do you think so?” I take my shoes off and adjust the stuffing in the toes before putting them back on.
“I do. Humans are more than elves give them credit for.” She points to Bert. He’s talking to Fancor and Jax. “Look at my man and how he cares nothing for the differences in the beings around him. He sees the similarities instead.” She grows serious. “Venora destroys Domhan first because she is from here and it’s easier for her. When she is done with us, she will find a way into other worlds like yours and destroy those, too.”
“Why? What does she want? How much power can she need? How many slaves does she require?” Frustration boils inside me.
“I’ve read your history books, Harper. You have had the same kind of tyrants in your world. They might not have shot black lightning from their fingers, but they were just as evil. How much would have been enough for them? If Hitler had succeeded in dominating your world and had known of other worlds, do you think he would have been satisfied?” She picks up the comb from the ground and puts it in her leather pack.
There’s no need to respond to the question. We both know the answer. “I guess we had better stop the witch queen here then.”
Cara walks over and hands each of us a large leaf. On top is a small pile of fish and some kind of white vegetable.
“Thank you.” Once Cara has bowed and walked away, I stare at the strange breakfast.
Nainsi eats several bites before noticing that I’ve not touched mine. She says, “It’s not bad. Needs some seasoning, but the fish is fresh, and the corble reminds me of my childhood.”
“Corble?” I taste the fish and agree that while I’m not used to fish for breakfast, it tastes familiar.
“It’s a nut that grows wild on this continent. We don’t see it across the sea. Try it. It’s almost like corn.” She finishes her food and licks her fingers. “I’d better see if I can help Aaran so we can get these people fed and heading around the lake.”
As she strides across the camp, I catch sight of Aaran helping an older man fashion a splint around his crooked leg. These people are so kind. How did Venora go so wrong? How many more like her are there in this world, like Ciaran? I shiver at the thought of his evil mind touching mine as he looked for information.
I finish my food and agree that the corble tastes like corn.
Beran approaches with a look of either concern or embarrassment. I can’t tell which. He kneels. “I found this on the ground after you were struck down in the great hall. There didn’t seem a good time to return it until now.” He hands me my father’s wedding ring.
My throat tightens, and tears spring to my eyes. I wrap my arms around his neck. “Thank you.” It’s not enough. I don’t know what else to say. “Thank you.”
When I let him go, he’s blushing. “You are welcome. I thought it might have some meaning to you.” He rushes away.
I clutch the ring a moment longer before slipping it on my finger. It’s just a token with no magic, but it makes me feel stronger somehow. Beran can’t know how he brought my parents back to me, but I am grateful.
In the distance, there’s movement in the sky, like smoke, only the shifting isn’t smooth or in the same direction as the wind. It goes east and then west in a strange pattern. As it draws closer, I can make out the wings of black birds.
