Page 72 of Night Fae
"I agree with Malik," Adrian said. "It's too risky."
Zev's jaw tightened. "This isn't a debate. I'm going."
Malik opened his mouth to say something—he wasn't even sure what—but Zev silenced him with a look that brooked no argument. The fae warrior turned back to the others, his decision clearly final.
"Fine," Knox conceded. "So that's Caelen, Daniel, Zev, and me."
"And me," Lyrian attempted to rise from his chair but winced, clutching his side.
Knox shook his head. "You need to heal first."
"I want to go," Malik said.
"You're staying here," Zev rebuked him immediately.
Malik bristled. "I can help."
"You can barely walk across the room," Zev countered.
"I'm recovering quickly."
"I don't care." Zev's voice turned sharp. "You're staying." There was a finality to his tone that Malik couldn't argue with. "We can't be worrying about you while we're fighting."
He said 'we,' but Malik knew what he really meant.
The sentiment warmed him enough to take the sting out of the night fae's words.
"We leave at dawn," Caelen announced, breaking the moment. "Be sure to make all necessary preparations."
The meeting dispersed quickly. Everyone had things to do, it seemed. Malik remained seated, unsure how steady he would be on his feet if he got up.
Zev stayed by his side.
When they were alone in the council chamber, Malik spoke again. "Help me back to my room?"
Zev offered his arm without comment. Malik slid his hand into the crook of Zev's elbow, hyperaware of the solid muscle beneath his fingers. The contact sent warmth spreading up his arm as Zev supported him through the corridors, but it wasn't until they reached Malik's chamber and the door closed behind them that Malik found his voice again.
"The Fields of Memories," he said quietly as Zev helped him to the edge of the bed. "You know what that place does, right?"
Zev released him, stepping back to create distance between them. "I'm aware."
"Your memories, Zev." Malik looked up at him. He didn't want to say these things out loud, but he had to make sure that Zev was aware of what he'd signed up for.
If the Fields were anything like what Malik had read about them…
They wouldn't be kind to Zev.
"After everything you've been through..."
Zev turned toward the window, profile sharp against the afternoon light. "I can handle my own memories."
Malik wasn't so convinced. He didn't want to argue with the fae, but he wasn't going to let him pretend that everything would be okay either. "I know you can't lie, which means you actually believe that. That is what scares me."
Zev looked at him. "You think you know me better than I know myself?"
Malik forced himself to hold the assassin's gaze. "You'll see Rhys there."
Zev went rigid. "You don't know that."
