Page 54 of A Hunt So Wicked
"It's risky," Tiro added, pressing on a large bruise on his forearm.
I pushed myself to my feet, groaning as I went. I felt as though I'd aged thirty years in one day. "Yes, it's risky. We're walking right back into the battlefield. But we can't sit here and waste away to nothing. If we can make it there, we will have a constant supply of fresh water."
"And I know I saw several edible plants surrounding that area," Isla added. "Also, some with medicinal properties, so we can get some of these wounds cleaned up."
"So, we are in agreement?" I asked, looking at my comrades. I didn't want to force anyone to go unwillingly back into the forest, but if they came, it would be at their own discretion. I refused to have anyone's potential death on my hands. This was an individual choice.
Tiro, Kael, Riv, Isla, and Becca all nodded. Riv helped Isla to her feet and slung her arm over her shoulder. We all turned to Eliza, who was still in the same position as when she first sat down.
I walked over to her and crouched down. Taking her hand, I looked into her blue eyes. "Eliza," I stated gently. "We won't force you to come, but if you stay here, you will die. There isn't fresh water, and there isn't enough food to sustain you. There's a chance we won't make it going back in there, but I'd rather have a fighting chance over staying here and ensuring that death will be the outcome. I'd love for you to come with us. Will you?"
The choice was hers. She searched my eyes for a long moment. I wasn't sure what she was looking for, but I hoped she saw that I would fight for her. That I'd fight for myself and my friends. That I would never, ever betray her the way Axil had. She must've seen something that assured her I was a safe bet because she slid her hand further down my arm and grasped me.
"Help me up, friend. I'm not staying here alone."
I smiled and gripped her arm in return as I stood, pulling her to her feet. "I'm so glad you found us when you did."
"I can't even express how relieved I am. Thank you." She looked at the others. "Thank you, all."
Everyone responded with words of encouragement. Boosting one another up, we were a motley group of battle-torn victims who had somehow bonded. I watched as Isla took a few practice steps, testing her injured ankle.
"How is it?" I asked my friend, who was wincing with every step.
"It's not broken, just sprained," she explained. "It could have been much worse. I'm hoping that once we get into the forest, I'll be able to find some supplies to fix it up a little bit. I'll be fine." She paused when she spotted Riv's skeptical expression. "I will! It's not my first time doing this, and I know what needs to be done. Just promise me that if we're attacked... and I'm slowing you down—"
Riv grabbed Isla's chin and turned her shocked face toward her. "You stop right there, little healer. I admit, in my life, I've been known to be a scoundrel. I've done some questionable things, some things that may seem to be on the line of what islegal."
"Really?" Kael said sarcastically. "I'm absolutely shocked by this." He turned to me. "Eves, did you know we're in the presence of an immoral and lawless woman!?"
"Hush it, golden man child," Riv snapped, pointing her blade at Kael before turning back to Isla. "Despite my past, despite everything, the one thing I would never do is leave someone behind. Especially not someone who..."
We collectively held our breath and watched as though a magnet had begun pulling Rivka and Isla closer.
"Someone who... what?" Isla whispered.
"Someone who," she whispered just as softly, which was something I wasn't sure Riv was capable of. My eyes nearly popped out as Riv's lips brushed Isla's ever so delicately. "Makes me...feel."
Isla made a noise that reminded me of a little kitten, and Riv took the opening, pressing her lips against the much smaller woman.
My mouth dropped, and I snapped my eyes to Kael, who was wearing a similar expression. I could see the excitement building in my guard, and I couldn't stop the laugh that came out when he legitimately squealed in delight.
Riv had lowered her knife during the chaste kiss but promptly raised it in his direction once more as Isla pulled back, also giggling.
"Immature, prepubescent, infant-like—" Riv ranted with a smile as Kael howled with laughter, making the rest of us join in.
It wasn't the right time to be having a laugh session, but it also wouldn't likely be for a very, very long time. I decided to enjoy it. My abdomen ached from joy and happiness instead of fear, anxiety, and hunger. The tears built in my eyes from the touching moment I'd just witnessed and, subsequently, the friendly-enemy dynamic that Kael and Riv had built their friendship. When Riv launched herself at Kael, wrapping herself around his back and climbing up him like a tree trunk, I sank to my knees, losing it at how ridiculous they looked.
Isla and Riv.I shouldn't have been shocked, looking back at their interactions. I was thrilled for them, but concerned about the future. We were here to be married off to royal men, supposedly. Who even knew if that was actually going to happen anymore? So I pushed away questions about how their relationship would work out in the end. I was determined to see something good come of this nightmare, and their kiss had given new fuel to the fire in my soul.
Eliza abruptly turned from laughing to sobbing, and Becca rushed to her and wrapped her in a hug. "It's just so... beautiful! A-and tragic!" she wailed dramatically.
It really was, and I think we all knew we were leaving the safety of our hideout and potentially walking right into our deaths, but we didn't have a choice. Just like we hadn't had a choice in being a part of such a sick game. The sounds of laughter died down, while our moods quickly shifted back to a more serious state.
"Right," Kael started, stepping to the front of our group. "Let's get this over with. Stick together and try to be as quiet as possible."
We all nodded and accepted that delaying the inevitable any further was futile.
It was do or die.
