Page 53 of Light and Shadow
“She says that as long as I can hear her, that is enough.” He nods and kisses her forehead. “Even so, I miss your voice.” He gives me a wink. “Even when she was scolding me.”
They share a look that perhaps isn’t meant for my eyes before he moves off to help pack up the camp.
The sun is above the horizon when we’re finally all moving west. I don’t allow Aaran to carry me. Between all the healing and the effects of the glen, I feel much better.
Walking next to him, I can’t help but ask, “Why didn’t we bring all the injured elves into the glen for healing?”
Hiking his pack higher, he scans the land between us and the sea. “The fairy’s magic is not guaranteed. They favored us, but that doesn’t mean they would the others. In fact, the magic can resent the asking. To try would be foolish and waste time we don’t have. Venora will heal. She will hunt us herself or with her armies.”
“How do we fight armies of those shadow demons?” The idea of it makes my gut tighten. Their energy is so horrid it’s like having all the joy ripped from you. I shudder. The longer I amin this world, the more I think this is an impossible task we will never survive.
His fingers gently touching the back of my neck shakes me from my negative thoughts. He speaks softly for my ears only. “I thought we would have a few moments this morning before we reached camp. It didn’t occur to me that there were guards in the meadow.”
I blush, though I don’t really feel embarrassed. It’s more the warm memories of our bodies entwined that heat my cheeks. “What did you want to say?”
He looks around as if making sure no one is too close. “That being with you was the greatest gift I have ever received and to thank you for the honor.”
“My end of the bargain was just as valuable. No need to thank me.” It comes out more annoyed than I intended. In my experience, men thank you for sex when they leave the bed before the sun comes up and don’t expect to call you for another date.
Shaking his head, he takes my hand. “This is coming out wrong. I only meant to say that the time in the glen with you was important to me. Not a moment, or a whim, but a vital part of my life that I will always cherish.”
In the center of my chest, a knot forms. My heart doesn’t know if it’s full or about to break. “If we survive this, which honestly, seems unlikely, I will go back to my world.”
“Yes. I know.” He squeezes my fingers before releasing them. “I still stand by my feelings. Whatever happens, we will have those memories. They will carry me.”
What does that mean? Carry him where? To the end of his life? Is that what I want, for him to never know a lasting love? “Aaran, when I go, you’ll marry a nice elf and make elf babies. Girls, who have your hair and eyes.”
Nainsi steps beside me. “I can see the ocean’s shine in the distance. Maybe a day and a half from here.”
Bert squints. “Then we’ll need to find a seaworthy ship from there. Ships need upkeep, and who knows what that witch has done over the years.”
Where Aaran’s mind had been a soft hum inside me, he closes that door now. I didn’t actually hear his thoughts, though I think, if I had tried, I could have. It was a sense of his well-being. Now there is nothing, and I miss it.
His jaw ticks. “We just have to see what we find. I’m glad you decided to join us, Bert. Not sure if anyone else knows how to sail across an ocean with any skill.”
Bert huffs. “That’s a good question. I’ll make a round through the group and see if there are any sailors among us.”
Nainsi slaps his bottom. “I can sail, captain.”
Grinning wide, Bert says, “You’re a fine first mate, my love.”
They take different directions and begin their inquiries.
“Aaran?”
He shifts his gaze to me. His handsome face is tight, and worry creases his brow.
“We can worry about whatever is between us if we live. I will happily take whatever moments you spare for me while this madness ensues. Please don’t add my feelings to your list of troubles.” It’s the best I can do. I don’t have all the pretty words that he does. I’ve never needed them or wanted them until now.
The tightness around his eyes eases even as sorrow creeps into his gaze. “I want to promise you everything.”
“If you could promise to survive, that would be more than enough for me.” It’s a half-truth, but he’s still closed off, so he can’t know.
Rather than tell me a lie to give me false hope, he takes my fingers in his and kisses the back, then turns my hand over and presses his lips to my palm.
The warmth of his love spreads from where his lips touch.
Without a word more, we walk across the open plain exposed to whatever evil Venora has planned, with our army of freed slaves beside us.
