He watched her eat in silence, his own Fae temper recoiling somewhere to the back of his consciousness at the sight of her eyes in the light of the small fire they had risked. Two nights before he’d drop her off at Eedwood Forest, and with Farlon nearby, he wouldn’t stand a chance to figure out if it was true, that she had magic running in her veins.
“Sleep,” he finally ordered as she set her plate down. “Tomorrow will be a long day.”
To his surprise, Gandrett didn’t object but instead curled up on her bedroll and closed her eyes.
Chapter Twenty-Two
The first fingers of Eedwood Forest appeared at about the same place where Ackpenesor and Eedpenesor met, where Alencourt laid a day’s ride north. Gandrett reached for the place where her mother’s necklace was sitting together with Brax’s thin silver chain, hidden under the collar of her dress, and leaned out the carriage window.
Alvi and Lim trotted at the back of the carriage like faithful dogs.
The grains had been sown and it wouldn’t take long before the now dark brown soil would disappear under a blanket of pale green. Her family was probably out on the fields, overseeing the development of the seeds they’d planted like they did every year.
A tug on her heart let her sigh into the passing breeze.
“When you return with Joshua,” Nehelon said behind her as if he had read her mind.
She settled back on the leather bench across from him and tried to focus on the task ahead. Tomorrow she would part ways with Nehelon, and she would be on her own.
“How long have you been in Lord Tyrem’s service?” She asked it just so she wouldn’t think of how close her family was right now if she chose to turn north at that moment—if Nehelon let her.
The latter played with the pommel of his sword. “A little over ten years.” He didn’t look up.
“Why him?”
“Because—” Nehelon stopped, nostrils flaring.
“What is it?” Gandrett wanted to know as he leaned forward and directed his eyes at the horizon ahead.
“We are in the borderlands between east and west where most incidents occur,” he explained, eyes intent as he pulled his sword.
Gandrett leaned forward, trying to see what was inciting the sudden alarm in his eyes.
It took her a while to make out the tendrils of smoke against the light.
“Denderlain is giving his mercenaries free rein again,” he said through clenched teeth. “We need to get into the forest as fast as possible.”
The smoke became more visible as the wind changed direction. It couldn’t be more than a couple of miles ahead.
“Every other month they roam this region and burn down the houses of people who remain loyal to Lord Tyrem.”
Gandrett stared at him. The Meister had told all details about the conflict. Nehelon had told her some. But seeing the devastating results was something different.
“We need to go help whoever lives in the houses they are destroying,” she demanded, her own hand now clenching her sword.
But Nehelon shook his head. “Lord Tyrem’s men are out there in the villages fighting as we speak. Besides, you have a date with the young Lord Denderlain.” His eyes said something different. It’s too dangerous.
“Farlon,” he called out the window, “into the forest, now.”
It took them an hour until they reached the denser part of Eedwood Forest where the carriage began to slow them down. Nehelon informed her he had planned to enter the forest as late as possible without risking visibility so they wouldn’t lose time. All during that time, Gandrett sat, quietly fuming that the Fae male was preventing her from helping someone in need.
“Vala would have wanted me to go help,” she murmured more to herself, but of course, Nehelon’s Fae ears picked up her words.
“Unless you are Vala-blessed, Vala would want you to stay the hell away from fire,” he retorted, blue-diamond eyes dangerously sparking. “The last time I checked, you weren’t able to manipulate water.”
“Were I Vala-blessed, I wouldn’t be stuck with you.” She gave him an icy look, and Nehelon lowered his gaze as if searching for words but didn’t speak. Frustration furrowed his brows, making him look more human than she had ever seen. And as she stared and stared at him as though she could punish him with her mere gaze, his eyes snapped up, locking on hers.
He wasn’t sure if he’d imagined it, but that spark in her eyes…
“Say that again,” he dared her and leaned closer, staring her down.
“I wouldn’t be stuck with you, Lonnie.” Gandrett smirked, unyielding.
Nehelon couldn’t tell if it was the sunlight or if the gold in her eyes grew more intense as she held his gaze, unfazed. “You know what? If it makes it easier for you, I’ll walk the rest of the way. I’m sure if I flirt—” She dragged out the word. “—with the wolf, it’ll come right after me. Or better,” her fingers reached up to her chest, touching something hidden under the compact fabric of her dress, “he might even take me home and offer for me to stay so I can snoop around his cave.”
Nehelon studied her, open-mouthed as her temper broke through the perfectly-crafted mask she had been wearing for the past month. So much anger. So much suppressed pain.
Gandrett’s face was close enough for him to touch her, her scent, even if mixed with dirt and sweat of their journey, filled the narrow space between them. All he needed to do was lift his hand from his sword and—
“You know what, Lonnie?” she continued like a ram. “Why don’t I mention to the next person I see what you truly are? Once your little secret is out there, I no longer need to fear you.” Her eyes tightened. “Even if you’d kill me for revenge.” She spat those last words at him, making his breath catch in his throat.
“Kill you?” He’d never do that. Never in his life could he fathom the thought of ending her.
“That’s what you are thinking, isn’t it?” Her voice hitched as her words rushed out. “That’s what you’d do if I chose to run and go see my family instead of Eedwood Castle. That’s what—” silver lined her eyes, drowning out that spark he thought he’d seen, and within a moment, that tear fell—
His hand was there before he could remind himself to be cautious, fingertips grazing the salty line down her cheek. Gandrett didn’t cringe. She didn’t fight, and all he could think of was that no one had the right to make her feel this way. No one.
A sob shook Gandrett, but she didn’t turn away. Couldn’t. Too hypnotizing were Nehelon’s eyes as they bore into hers in swirling shades of blue. And his fingers on her cheek—
She almost didn’t notice she was crying. Almost. Hadn’t it been for the wetness that kept coming from her eyes. Ten years since she had last cried. And now, in front of him? The Fae male who had taunted her, brutally pinned her against the wall, mercilessly brought his sword down on her—
He sat spellbound by her tears, knees an inch from hers, and his hand lingering on her skin despite the rocky movements of the carriage through the forest. He had let her rage at him. If he’d noticed her call him Lonnie, he didn’t show. But one thing was different about him.