Page 84 of Light and Shadow
“No. Just thinking about something Jax said.” She smiles, but again it doesn’t touch her eyes.
“What did he say?” I must speak to Jax about being kinder to Harper. She needs her confidence bolstered, not torn down at every opportunity.
“He said that he believes in me. Well, and a lot of other things, but that was the most important.” She moves to sit beside me against the hill, her shoulder pressed to mine.
“That’s—” I’m not sure how to respond. It was the last thing I expected her to say. “Extraordinary.”
“Right? I know. I was feeling less, and he helped.” She snorts. “I expected him to agree with all my doubts, but while he understood them, he pointed out some of my strengths as well.” She shrugs. “I’m glad you’re better. Cara said you will be ready to journey by morning.”
“Cara said?” I eat my food, which tastes better than I expected. I must have been hungrier than I thought.
“Well, through Dorian, but you know what I mean.”
When I can’t eat anymore, my eyes drift closed. I wrap my arm around Harper’s back and keep her close. “I suppose that’s the closest I’ve ever been to death.”
“Too close.”
“I’m sorry I scared you.” Honestly, when the darkness took me, I was scared too. I was letting everyone down, but it was peaceful in the place between worlds.
“Don’t do it again.” She kisses my cheek.
I wish I could tell her we’re safe from now on, but that would be a lie. No one is safe, nor will they be until Venora has been dealt with.
Stars begin winking into existence, and the moon rises next to Arcania.
Tal walks over and lies down next to Harper. Silently, she closes her eyes as Harper pulls a tattered blanket over the girl. Within a few minutes, the boys make their way over and pile in to sleep like cats.
When Fort plops his head on my ribs and I have minimal pain, I’m relieved.
The oldest, Bor, snuggles in behind Fort.
“This is unexpected,” I whisper.
“They’ve been staying close to me. Last night, I didn’t sleep much. They found their way over in the middle of the night. Fancor took them to a spot closer to the fire, so you wouldn’t be disturbed.” She brushes Tal’s hair from her eyes. “I think they’ve adopted me as their protector. They’re badly in need of some love and care.”
The children are smarter than we gave them credit for. No one exudes more love than Harper. It pours from her, filling everything with her soft attention. The fact that she bestows her love on me is a miracle. I can only hope that if we live long enough, I’ll become a man who deserves it. “There is no one better suited for the job.”
She sighs and leans her head on my shoulder. “Will your mother ensure they are taken care of until we can bring them to their families? I know they’re not your people, but they’re only children.”
Kissing the top of her head fills me with warmth and gives me the false impression that I’m somehow taking care of her. “No harm will come to them.”
“That’s not exactly what I asked.” She closes her eyes.
“No. I know, but I don’t have all the answers, Harper. Nothing has been ordinary since I met you.” The last light of day slips away, and the air cools. I’m not even strong enough to add heat to the fire. My magic is busy healing my wounds.
As if summoned, Jax walks over and shakes his head at me with a pile of children sleeping all around and Harper dozing at my side. He sends heat to the stones surrounding the fire. It will keep us warm through the night and allow the burning wood to die out. It’s better not to have those fires as beacons for the enemy. “I’m a little jealous, Riordan. I miss my family.”
“You’ll be with them soon.” I want to say that the worst is behind us, but I have no idea if that’s true. “Maybe we can gather some horses. The wild ones like the great spring.”
“Perhaps. Sleep now. I will keep watch. At daylight, we should leave this place.” He turns away and scrutinizes the surrounding dark hills.
“When will you sleep, my friend?” I feel as if I’ve been away from the group for months, though they told me it was only two days and a night that I was unconscious. Wherever I was is shrouded in mist now. Like a dream that I can almost remember but can’t quite reach. I don’t know who has slept and who has not. I only know what I’ve been told, which is very little.
“Fancor will take my place in a few hours. Your charges are safe, Aaran.” He walks to the top of the nearest hill.
“Thank you,” I say softly.
His warrior’s ears twitch, and he nods once.
