Page 85 of Fires of the Forsaken
The boy watched me, the expression in his eyes softening.
“It’s…Ter…my father,” I said. “He’s been searching for employment…”
“There’s no need to explain,” the boy’s voice gentled. And then his lips curled upward once again. “It’ll only sweeten the deal. If I should succeed in securing your creamy cheese,free of charge,you shall come with me tomorrow night and,” he dropped his voice to a whisper, “you’ll tell me about this power you’re trying to conceal.”
I drew back as though he’d slapped me. “How dare—”
“Your secret would be safe with me,” he added hastily. “I’ll not speak of it to anyone. Certainly not thearmy.” He shuddered. “You’re too spirited. The army is so…dull. It would be a crime to see them extinguish yourspark.”
My heart fluttered. A bead of sweat dripped down my back. He knew. Hehadto. Why else would he have chosen those last few words?
But the boy only maintained a patient smile, waiting for me to respond.
If he didn’t know about my curse, would he treat me more harshly once he discovered what I could do?
Or would he still wish to be my friend?
I swallowed and placed my other hand in his.
He would learn the truth eventually. Perhaps it would be best if I told him first.
“You have yourself a deal,” I said. My mouth felt odd—too dry. And my tongue seemed to have grown to twice its size.
The boy barked out a laugh and, to my very great surprise, kissed my knuckles.
It was an odd sensation, having a boy’s lips pressed against my skin. Odd, but not unpleasant. His mouth was warm and soft. His breath tickled.
A storm of conflicting emotions filled my chest. But, before I could berate the boy for his forwardness, or properly analyze why his kiss made my innards quiver, he whirled away, heading to Beda’s stand.
I did not follow. One encounter with the old woman had been quite enough. So I waited, watching the endless wave of people moving through the streets. The moments passed tediously. After a while, I moved away from the wall, thinking the boy had failed and didn’t want to bruise his pride by admitting defeat.
At that moment, he emerged from the opposite direction. He was panting, his face red and gleaming with sweat.
“Did you lose your way?” I asked.
He shook his head. “Soldiers.” He glanced over his shoulder. “Drat. I can’t stay.” He pressed a square package, wrapped in leaves, into my hand. “Tomorrow night,” he rasped. “Meet me here. I’ll walk with you to the tavern.” His eyes were alight with excitement, even as he sprinted away.
* * *
The cheese was utterlydelightful.Sweeter than milk.
“Lass,” Terrick groaned in bliss. “Where did yougetthis?” He licked the creamy cheese off his fingers—we hadn’t any bread to spread the cheese onto, so we’d simply dipped our fingers into the box.
“A friend,” I said. I couldn’t keep the smile off my face as I thought of the blue-eyed boy.
“A friend?” Terrick repeated, his face glowing with joy. “You’ve made a friend already? That’swonderful, lass! Hmm…” he took another bite. “Please tell your friend they’re welcome to gift us with this cheese anytime they’re feeling charitable.”
“He didn’t gift it,” I mumbled. “He merely helped me to buy the cheese. I took two of our coins.” My face heated. “I’m sorry.”
Terrick’s smile did not wane. “Well, your friend certainly helped you spend those coins wisely. This is adelicacy.And there’s enough here to last a few days.” He patted my knee. “Thank you, lass. This was a treat.”
I went to sleep that night with a full belly. As I curled into my bed of straw, listening to my pony shuffle about, I imagined what a friendship with the blue-eyed boy might look like; what adventures we could experience together.
But, as my waking thought melted into a dream, the images changed. I saw the blue-eyed boy screaming in terror and agony as his skin blistered. I saw myself standing before him, flames dancing over my fingers. The people of Darfield clustered around me, crying out in fear—
“Lass!”
Flames greeted me when I opened my eyes. They were consuming the stable.
