Page 62 of Spirit Rites
She stands to her feet. “I’m fine.”
A hand encloses around my elbow, and I turn to face Kaldar. He asks me the same question I just asked Reika. “Are you hurt?” I shake my head and try to calm my racing heart. I stand on shaky legs. “I have to get to Veyra.” I feel something brush against me. “Veyra!” I drop to my knees in front of her. Jespar comes over to stand next to her, but my focus is all on her.Are you okay?
I’m fine.
The babies?I hold my breath.
They’re perfectly safe.Jespar nudges his nose into her side.I will check with you soon.
I watch them go a moment and then stand to my feet. Adrenaline is still rushing through me. “Is she okay?” Kaldar asks. I nod. Without another word to me, he turns to Reika. “What about my orders didn’t you get?”
Reika lifts her chin. “You told me stay with Kinsley. That’s what I did.”
“You risked her life coming out here.” I’ve never seen Kaldar so angry. It's shocking really; he’s usually so mild-mannered.
I finally find my tongue. “It’s not her fault, Kaldar. I came outside on my own; she tried to get me to stop. She protected me. Got me out of the way of the fire when I couldn’t move.”
He turns towards me slowly, and bright green eyes burn into mine. “You were supposed to stay inside.”
I don’t look away from his furious gaze. “That guivre was seconds away from coming inside. We had to do something.”
Reika bends over and swats the dirt off her pants before standing back up. “When you get your head out of your backside, you’ll realize she saved everyone in the Grove.” Without another word, she strides away. I watch her go in silence, not quite sure how to respond to that. When I turn back to Kaldar, his jaw is tight. He turns away without another word and starts helping Jorren and Taren drag the body of the guivre away. I head back into the Grove to check on everybody inside.
When I get inside, all noise ceases. I feel the eyes of every single person inside on me. I freeze, wondering if they’re all angry with me. Then an older woman stands up and walks over to me. “Thank you,” she says simply. Surprised, I can do no more than just nod at her. Another woman, this one carrying a baby, walks over to me and puts a hand on my shoulder.
“Thank you,” she whispers.
There are several more after that. I lose track of faces as each one of them thanks me. I stay quiet because I didn’t really do anything. I meet Harper’s gaze at one point, and she just gives me a serious nod. I take a deep breath and turn around once everybody has left me alone. My eyes clash with intense green eyes, and I suck in a breath. Kaldar stands next to the door watching me. I have no idea how long he’s been standing there, but it’s obvious it was long enough to catch at least some of what just went on. I feel my cheeks heat, and I drop my gaze. Something wraps around my knees, and I look down at the top of a little girl’s head. She looks up at me and gives me a smile.
“You’re an angel,” she whispers.
I bend down so we’re eye to eye. “I’m not an angel, Sweetheart.”
“You are,” she argues. “My mama tells me every night that my guardian angel is watching over me and protecting me.” Her face is completely serious. “Now I know it’s you.”
Chapter 30
I kneel in front of her. “What’s your name, Sweetheart?”
“Sasha.”
“Sasha, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Kinsley.”
A woman walks up behind her. “Sasha, step away from her.”
I look up at the woman. “She’s not bothering me.”
The woman seems to soften at my words. “Well, I’m sure you have things to do. Thank you for talking to her.” With that she takes Sasha’s hand and pulls her to her feet.
“Bye, Angel,” the little girl whispers and waves. I feel a presence beside me as I watch them leave. I know without looking that it’s Kaldar.
I suddenly remember that he wasn’t too happy with me just a little bit ago. “Are you over being mad at me?”
He blows out a breath. “I want to stay mad at you; but I have a feeling I’m going to find that it’s impossible to do so.” His words are quiet, so that only I can hear.
“Why?” I ask curiously.
He looks down at me. “I don’t know, Angel. Maybe because you’re too nice.”
