Damn it.
I squeeze his shoulders, wordlessly admitting that he has a point, before slowly shifting off of his lap.
I shuffle my feet back toward the tent. As I go, I hear Rys murmur, “I wish it didn’t have to be this way.”
Yeah?
You and me both.
The raven is following us. Or maybe chasing us is a better way to put it. Either way, every time there’s a break in the trees, letting some of the weak light in, I can make out the black speck against the purple sky, circling high overhead.
At first, I hoped I was seeing things. Even though I finally got to get some sleep, it was probably nowhere near enough. On the plus side, though, Jim’s doing much better when he wakes up. His face is tight, and most of the more shallow cuts have started to scab up, but Rys was right. Those were the worst of his injuries. In fact, part of the reason he was so out of it was just from the shock of the shadow travel Nine dragged him through during their initial escape before Rys carried him off on the rider’s horse. Rys was right. Jim will be okay.
We’re all on foot now. After a quick breakfast and an even quicker agreement of what we should do now, the five of us are off. Except for Dusk, we haven’t seen any sign of another Samradh guard chasing after us.
At least that’s something.
The consensus is that we should do what we planned on doing before Jim was captured. Even if he’s doing way better physically, mentally he’s done. He’s up my ass almost as soon as he’s fully conscious again, going so far as to follow me when I went off to find the little girl’s bush after breakfast.
It’s super annoying. I get it. I do. But I still want to shove him away when he gets too close.
And that’s one huge, honking problem.
Anyway, because it’s the best plan we have, we decide to go to Morgan’s cottage. I’m still hoping that my friend will give us shelter for a while which, if you ask me, seems like a great idea just in case the Unseelie guards pick up on our trail. I’d feel better, too, if Jim could wash out his cuts.
Rys leads the way. Not surprising, especially with the return of my shadow, that he’s keeping his distance.
I wish I could.
The mood is somber. Jim doesn’t want to talk about what happened to him for the night he was imprisoned. I was terrified he’d want to return to the blow-out we were having right before that Unseelie prick snatched him, but he doesn’t mention that, either.
His quiet rubs off on the rest of the group. Nine and Riley hang back, murmuring to each other, and Rys keeps his distance in the front, following his brand on my skin toward Morgan’s house. Because I have no idea what to say to Jim, I just about swallow my tongue until I can’t take it anymore.
After telling Jim I’ll be right back, I close the gap between me and Rys. “Hey. I know we’ve been walking for a while, but I was wondering if you can tell me if we’re getting any closer.”
Rys purses his lips, concentrating. “Yes. The trace has been growing stronger all morning, and I can sense… something in the distance. I think it’s your friend. It won’t be much longer now.”
“Oh, good. I can’t wait to see Morgan again.”
“What did you say her name was?”
He’s leading us to her cottage and he doesn’t remember her name? “Morgan.”
Rys stops. He tilts his head just enough that I can tell he’s confused, even if I can’t see his face. “Say that again.”
I do, then I add, “I’m not sure if it’s her true name or not. Doubt it. But it’s the name she gave me so that’s what I call her.” When Rys jerks his head, looking at Nine who has quickly caught up with us, I shrug. “What? I’ve talked about Morgan before.”
“That’s true. And you also spoke of a solitary Dark Fae who hid out in the thick of the Shadow Realm,” Nine said. “Human-friendly, which was strange to me.”
I kind of get that. When Rys was imprisoned, calling him a “human lover” was the nastiest insult some of the guards hurled his way.
“Is that really so rare? I mean, you like humans, Nine.” Obviously. He’s clearly devoted to Riley who, though she’s half-fae, is still half-human. I gesture to Rys, still thinking about the true meaning of Leannán. “You, too.”
“I hate to challenge your perception of me,” Nine says, with just enough amusement to the harsh edge of his voice that I don’t get offended at what he says next, “but I could care less about humans. I tolerate them because of Riley. That’s all. Though, to be fair, I could care less about most creatures so long as I have my mate. And Rys…” Nine lets the end of his sentence trail to a close.
He doesn’t have to say it. I know what he’s imp
lying. Nine will stand up for humans because Riley is his mate. When it comes to Rys, I’m supposed to be his. After my talk with Riley, I’m sure they both know that.