Page 86 of Given to the Fae
‘It’s all right, Bryn,’ Morgan rumbles, taking me back into the recesses of the cave now that my breathing has slowed and sitting down with me.
I almost laugh out loud at his words as I look up at him.
‘I’ve seen human slaves practically throwing themselves at masters, hoping for better treatment,’ I hiss. ‘I promised myself I would never...’
‘Sweet, that’s not what happened,’ Jak says, kneeling in front of Morgan and I.
I turn away, burying my face in the larger fae’s tunic.
‘You weren’t yourself,’ Jak murmurs. ‘I’m sorry I did that. I wish I hadn’t had to, but the tea didn’t work, and you were in pain.’ He sighs.
‘I’msorry,’ I whisper. ‘I know you wouldn’t have done that...with me if I hadn’t begged it of you.’
Jak takes my chin and forces my eyes to his. ‘Bryn, doing ‘that’ with you was hardly some hardship I had to endure.’
I roll my eyes. ‘Stop. Please. I know I’m not...attractive. My legs are short. My hips, wide. My scars are everywhere. My face... I know that you likely had to think of another to...be ready. I’m just sorry I made you do it.’
Jak and Morgan share a look. ‘You didn’tmakeus do anything, not even Locke. Understand?’
I give a tiny nod though I don’t believe them.
‘Why do you think these things?’ Morgan asks, his brow furrowing.
I shrug.
‘She was likely told them,’ Locke says from the other side of the cave where he still looks grey. ‘That’s right, isn’t it Bryn?’
I close my eyes and nod, shame coursing through me.
‘Who told you all this nonsense?’ Morgan asks.
A blanket is thrown over me belatedly and I give Jak a look of thanks.
‘Ogdan and Sio. Warrior. Others at The Barracks.’
Morgan draws me even closer somehow. ‘Nothing they told you is true.’
‘I want to believe you, but I can’t,’ I whisper.
‘Then, one day you’re going to tell me everything they said, and I’m going to prove them wrong about each and every single thing.’
I give him a small smile, wondering if that means he wants me to stay with him in the Light Realm, wondering if I would like that.
I don’t know. It’s not something I can even fathom.
‘What happened last night...’ I grimace. ‘I’ve never felt like that before. What was it?’
Jak looks grim. ‘It could be this world. There are many that don’t agree with humans. We’ll have to see if it happens again.’
He looks outside at the morning sky, the sun still the same odd red color.
‘We should get packed up,’ he says. ‘The Gate box didn’t specify the time the Breach would open. If we don’t want to be stuck here for another night, we should go.’
Locke picks himself up, looking better, and he and Jak make short work of packing everything up while Morgan gives me some flatbread and meat, and plies me with the tea and water. Only after I’ve eaten and drunk does he allow me out of his arms, not that I’m in a hurry to leave them, I realize.
He lets me up and I clutch the blanket tightly as I get my clothes and put them on, not forgetting the bracelet.
We leave the caves, Morgan making sure we haven’t forgotten anything, and we head toward the Gate on horseback. I’m in front of Morgan and he keeps a tight hold on me when we hear the roar of the Bridge opening and we aren’t there yet.
