Page 97 of The Raven Queen

“Remember the old man I told you about, the one who thinks he knows everything?”

Jake chuckled behind me, and I felt a little lighter at the sound.

Liam nodded with gusto. “TheJake?”

“Yes. This,” I said, glancing at the only father figure I’d really ever known, “istheJake.”

Del whispered something to Liam, and he trundled over, his eyes wide with excitement, even though exhaustion weighed heavy on him. “You’re a Patron,” he started and studied Jake carefully as he looked him up and down.

“I’ve been called worse, I guess,” Jake muttered.

“And really old,” Liam mused. “But, like,howold exactly?”

“Very,” Jake answered with a slight grin.

“Can I guess?” Liam asked.

“Do you think you can beat Fin’s record of guesses?” Jake lowered his chin, patiently waiting. I remembered playing this same game when I was younger.

Liam considered it and shrugged. “How many guesses do I have to get it right?”

“Seven—”

“Six,” I corrected. “Don’t skimp out on me now, old man,” I told him.

Liam grinned. “I bet I can,” he beamed.

“Good, then you can guess while we unpack some of the stuff I brought back for you guys on my travels.”

Liam gaped at him. “You knew we were coming?”

“Of course,” Jake said. “It’s just like Fin said—I know everything,” he joked, and Liam fell into step besidetheJake as they made their way to his cliff quarters two doors down.

I huffed a laugh as Del hummed contentedly, looping her arm through mine. But when I looked at her, she sobered a little. “We should get some rest,” she said.Because we have a lot to figure outwent unsaid.

I leaned in and kissed her temple, peering out at the bustling settlement surrounding us, filled with people depending on me to keep them safe. I wanted to say there was no time to rest, but I knew Del was right. Whatever came next, we would need clear heads to face it.

40

Del

Kneeling beside Liam’s cot, I tucked the blanket under his chin and leaned over to kiss his forehead. “I’ll be in shortly,” I murmured.

“Where are you going?” he asked, the hint of a whine in his voice. He didn’t whine much anymore, but after all we had been through in the past few weeks, he was hesitant to let me out of his sight.

“Outside—just on the other side of that door.” I glanced at the heavy wood door, which was cracked open, letting the deep murmur of Fin’s and Jake’s voices drift into the cave. They had stepped out after Jake returned with Liam, so I could get Liam settled into bed. “I need to talk to Fin and Jake about something. I won’t be long.” My jaw cracked with a yawn. “I’m as eager to rest as you are.”

Liam nodded, putting on a brave face, but worry still shadowed his eyes. He inhaled to respond but coughed instead. He had been weak and complained of being light-headed several times throughout the day, but he had seemed well enough when we arrived. I pressed my hand to his forehead and frowned, wondering if he truly felt warm or if it was all in my head.

It was impossible not to think of the wasting sickness when it was present at the forefront of my mind so much recently. But this was likely just a cold, some bug Liam picked up during the journey. I tried and failed not to consider any lasting effects the gas might’ve had on him.

Even so, the need for a wasting sickness cure felt more urgent now than ever.

I removed my hand and pressed another kiss to Liam’s forehead. “I’ll only be a moment,” I reassured him and stood, gathering my notebook off the floor. I turned to the door, the notebook hugged to my chest. The muted voices grew clearer as I approached.

“...heard about the digging?” Jake asked.

Heat slammed into me the instant I pulled the door open. It was amazing how much cooler the temperature was in this man-made cavern dug into the cliffside than it was outside. Based on the aged appearance of the door, the dwelling had been here a while. I wondered just how long.

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