Page 40 of Fires of the Forsaken
“Lass?”
I startled as Terrick clasped a weathered hand to my shoulder. “You’ve gone pale.”
I turned away, tears burning my eyes.
“We can wait if you’d like,” he said. “I’ve plenty of food and supplies still. Winter is leaving us. We need not go to Swindon right away. We can wait until you’re ready.”
I wouldn’teverbe ready.
I’d seen what happened when humans tried to break free of Wraiths, and I didn’t want to know what atrocities awaited me at Swindon.
13
Lost Marbles
I’d lost my marbles.
It’d taken three days, but the marbles were definitely gone.
Because when I’d left the sloped meadow to use the little girl’s room (aka, the thickest cluster of trees I could find) the ground had been covered in grass. Lush, green grass.
Now it was covered in yellow and white flowers.
“For you.” A man plucked a yellow flower from the ground and handed it to me as I walked by. “It’s nearly the same color as your hair.” He winked.
I ogled him, my brain still stuck onwhere the heck did these flowers come from?The dude was cute: tall, with dark hair and eyes, and a well-trimmed beard. But he was doing a great Captain Jack Sparrow impression. Sweat beaded on his brow as he swayed. His fingers quivered around the flower.
“Captain Sparrow?” The man’s nose crinkled in confusion.
“Er…never mind. That was meant to be a private thought. But my mouth doesn’t always get the memo. And thanks.” I took the little plant from him, tracing my fingers over the velvety petals. “Not to be rude, but where—eek!” I grabbed his shoulder when he wobbled. “Yo, I think you’re flagged.”
“Eh?”
“How much have you had to drink?”
“I don’t drink when I’m working.”
“Working?”
“Yes.”
I pressed a hand to my temple, although it did jack-squat to ease my near-constant headache.
The man chuckled. “Would you like to see? How about a flower to match your eyes?” He grinned and rooted through the leather fanny pack around his waist. “Ah! I knew I had one in here.”
I squinted at the teeny object clutched between his forefinger and thumb. “Is that a seed?”
“Sure is.” He knelt, digging a shallow hole in the ground.
“You know we’re leaving soon, right?”
“Hmmm.” He popped the seed into the hole and scooped the dirt back in place.
“There’s no way you’re gonna remember where you planted that.”
The man pressed his hand to the soil. “It will only take a moment.” As he spoke, a green leaf sprang out of the dirt.
“Gah!” My heart was off to the races again.
