Page 47 of A Song of Air
Ev’s hand wrapped against the ball of her shoulder, squeezing her, obviously content with her answer. She could even feel Arlo’s pride, pressing against her.
“But,” she added, “I owe Clay a life debt...” Arlo’s glare on the side of her face was a force. “I owe them lodgings and food before we send them on their way.” She turned her face in Arlo’s direction. “Just for a little while. Don’t you think?”
She was playing with fire. He’d have them killed if she didn’t say anything, she was sure of it. He did not have loyalty to the Resistance or the Seelie crown. But he did believe in transactions. In life debts. And he would believe in Bryson’s word.
Whether it was true or not.
He would respect it. He didn’t have to like it, but he would respect it.
“Of course,” Arlo said then. “If you saved my dearest Bryson’s life, then I, as well as she, owe you a debt of gratitude. You may stay here for the time being. But there will be no talk of battles or emperors or wars. You will find nobody in this camp empathetic to your plight. So, stay if you must. Gain your strength.” He paused. “Thenleave.”
He whirled and Bryson followed. Arlo’s hand splayed across her back, and he leaned close. “We will speak later.”
She bit her lip but nodded.
Despite what he believed, she knew that she would pay for what she’d done, and she was not looking forward to it at all.
“Come,” Arlo ordered. “I will show you your lodgings and our humble camp.”
They followed Arlo. The noises became louder as they stepped foot inside.
“Welcometo our camp,” Arlo’s voice boomed through the space.
His voice drew attention in their direction. From the far end of the camp at the healing tent, Malika pushed aside the flaps and stepped out, drawing her hazelwood, lemon and herb scent with every approaching step in their direction.
Seeing her friend brought Bryson new strength. For a moment, she wanted to pull her to the side. A chance to speak with Malika alone. To tell her everything. From the mating bond, to the Elementals, to maybe even breaking their unspoken rule and talk about her past. What she needed was clarity. A shoulder to lean on.
It couldn’t be Ev, and Malikawouldlisten. She would help her make sense of her own violent thoughts.
She started forward slowly, a smile on her face. “Malika!”
“What’s going on?” Malika stopped in front of them. “What—” Her voice faltered, and a choked sound exited her throat as her eyes went over the group of new arrivals.
Bryson rocked back on her heels, surprised to see the sudden tears streaming down her friend’s face. She started to reach for her, but Malika dropped to her knees, the impact of the action making Bryson gasp.
Distress emanated from her every pore.
Then there was the scent of ice and apples. The sight of the ice Elemental stepping forward in Malika’s direction.
And when the Elemental spoke, her voice came out equally choked. Equally tortured.“Malika?”
Bryson’s heart pounded a violent rhythm as she stared back and forth between her best friend and the Elemental. She could see neither of them as clearly as she would have liked and yet she knew there was a resemblance. She’d studied Malika enough to have her memorized. The sleek curvature of her ebony skin. The shape of her eyes and her lips. The timbre of her voice. It was all there. The truth. Yet Bryson could not help but ask, “Do... do you know each other?”
Malika began to cry, and in between choked sobs, she managed a few words that made Bryson’s entire world spin. “My sister... Iona... mysister.”
