Page 86 of Spirit Rites
He doesn’t respond as he walks over to the door. Before he leaves, he turns back to me. “Dinner is almost ready. Come and eat.”
“I’m not hungry,” I tell him, while still looking at Kaldar.
“It wasn’t a suggestion.” He closes the door, and I blow out a breath. I watch Kaldar carefully, hoping for some kind of sign that he’s getting better. But there’s nothing. I’m not sure how long I sit there staring at him, counting the rise and fall of his chest movements.
Somebody knocks on the door. “Come in.”
Farrah slips inside, looking fresh and alert for the day. “I was sent to make you come down and eat dinner.” She disappears into the bathing room and comes back a moment later. “That’s why I was sent to make you. But first, you need a bath.” She tugs the pillow out of my grasp. “Come on. Let’s go.”
I debate arguing with her, but honestly, I don’t have the energy. I climb out of bed and head into the bathing room. I feel the steam coming off the water, and suddenly, I can’t wait to get in. When I come out of the bathing room a little while later, I have to admit, I do feel a lot better. “Thanks. I feel better.”
“I knew you would. I took the liberty of setting out some clothes for you. Hopefully, you can make something work.”
“Thank you, Farrah.”
She smiles at me. “Of course. I’ll give you a few minutes to change.”
After she leaves, I make quick work of pulling on the clothes she gave me. Thankfully, we’re not too far from each other, size-wise. She left me black training pants and a black tunic; thankfully, both fit okay. I braid my wet hair and pull on fresh socks and my boots. Before I leave the room, I walk over toKaldar and bend down and kiss him softly on the cheek. “I’ll be back. Don’t do anything fun without me.”
As I head down the stairs, I mentally think through all the things I need to tell Rysden. When I enter the main room, I take in the smiles on Jorren and Taren’s faces, and something eases in me. I’m glad they feel comfortable here. Lox is sitting at the table with them, and now I get the smiles. Lox can make anybody laugh.
Chapter 41
As soon as they both see me, they stand to their feet, smiles dropping. I wave at them to sit back down. “Continue eating.”
“How is he?” Taren asks first.
“No different than earlier. Thanks for letting me sleep.” I wish I had better news, but I don’t. I’m going to check with Hector to see if he needs help. I make my way into the cooking area where Hector’s standing at the stove. I smile, despite myself. This right here is how I will always think of Hector. Even though he’s a warrior and deadly with a bow and arrow, I will always think of him like this. “What can I help with?”
“That goes out to the table.”
I pick up the platter of meat and carry it out to the table. Jorren sees me coming and stands and intercepts me, taking the platter from me. “Hey, everybody,” Farrah says brightly as she walks into the room with Rysden. “Hope you’re all hungry. Hector knows how to cook.”
“We are, My Lady. Thank you.”
Farrah blinks and then laughs. “Just Farrah is fine.” She glances up at Rysden, and he just smirks down at her, causing her to shake her head. Her face brightens when she sees me. “Kinsley. How do you feel after getting some sleep?”
She gives me a quick hug. “Pretty good, surprisingly.”
Her face softens with concern. “How is he?”
“The same. Hector came in and worked on his wounds again.” I face Jorren and Taren when I say the next part. “They’re trying to get the poison out.” Both of their faces are set now.
Jorren sits back in his chair. “Is there any kind of timetable we’re working with?” He directs the question to Rysden. Rysden pulls out a chair for Farrah and stands behind her for a moment.
“Hector will have to answer that question.” He leans down and says something to Farrah, too soft for any of us to hear. Then he disappears.
Lox leans back in his seat and puts his arm on the back of the chair next to him. “So, Kinsley, how do you like the Jaguar Kingdom? Not nearly as cool as the Wolf Kingdom, right?”
“Actually, it’s pretty amazing.” I turn to Farrah. “The houses are built out over the water.”
“What?” Farrah asks, leaning forward in interest.
“Yeah. Some of the houses are built on wood over the water. There’s a wooden walkway connecting all the houses. And then the other houses are in the trees. They're literally built in and around trees. The Grove, which is this awesome place where you can get food, literally has a huge tree right in the middle of the building and rises up and out of the ceiling. It’s so cool.”
Farrah grins at me. “Sounds as if you really like it there.”
Her words surprise me because I hadn’t really thought I’d been there enough to, but she’s right. I really do like it there. In fact, I miss it even now. “Yeah,” I finally say. “I guess I do.”
