The rumbling of the forest had quieted long before the fae stopped running. As the early dawn broke the horizon, the twin suns signaled the start of another day and Vareck pushed the group forward. His fingernails carved against the bark of trees as they went, allowing them to have a trail and find their way back to the water if they couldn’t find a portal out.
Vareck shook his head at the idiotic thought. Of course they couldn’t find a portal in the depths of the forest. It’s not like they’d run into a witch while they were in hell. They were lucky enough that his damn cat could trace him back, but what good would that be if Corvo didn’t show up through a portal that could get them out? Instead, they were more or less searching for a safer hiding place. It was better than sitting next to the water and waiting.
Mara stumbled ahead of him, Vareck reaching forward to wordlessly offer support at her side. She was struggling and reaching the end of whatever adrenaline rush that had propelled her through this. Vareck knew that even her stubborn nature couldn’t keep her going for much longer.
“This is far enough,” Vareck called up to Sadie who had been leading the front of the line. “Let us set up camp here.”
“Out in the open?” the redcap huffed, leaning onto one of the trees. “We should double back to the caves we passed about ten minutes earlier.”
“Yes, that worked out great last time,” Vareck said, muttering just low enough for Mara to hear. She let out a short, pained laugh as she shook her head.
“This time a cave might just be ideal, assuming you actually do a thorough check,” she said and smiled playfully. With heavy dragging feet, it wasn’t too much longer before the group found themselves back at the front of the small caves they had passed. After finding them clear, Sadie was the first to speak up.
“I’ll take watch. I think I’m the least beat up. Besides, I’m used to this sort of thing.” She intertwined her fingers, stretching her hands up above her head as she held back a yawn. “No offense, but you two only sit around a castle all day.”
“Perfect. The job is all yours,” Sebastian said.
“No offense taken on my part,” Vareck mused, not about to let his pride get in the way of some rest, as well as providing an opportunity to talk to Mara. Alone. His gaze shifted over to Sebastian. “Still, we should avoid being alone.”
The prince yawned, strolling over to a clear area of the cave. Vareck cleared his throat, shooting a glare over to his nephew. “What?” Sebastian asked, turning back to the king with a frown. He grumbled as he scraped his foot against the dirt. “She says she has it. I trust she is capable.”
“Don’t be such a pussy,” Sadie said and snapped her fingers. “Vareck is right. Get over here.” Sebastian headed toward the entrance of the cave with Sadie, the two beginning to bicker the entire way. Sadie swore insults at his nephew, many that Vareck had never heard before.
“What in the world is a twatwaffle?” asked Vareck. He frowned to see that Mara hadn’t even been paying attention. She stood a few steps ahead of him, blankly staring at the rocks in front of her.
“Hm?” she asked, eyes glazed with fatigue.
“Never mind. It’s not really important.” His words turned soft, a small smile pulling at the corner of his lips.
She bit her bottom lip. “Sorry, I’m a little out of it. I didn’t mean to ignore you.”
“There is nothing to apologize for.” Vareck hooked one of his thumbs into his belt, coming to stand next to her . His gaze shifted over her body, and he was quick to frown. “Are you alright?” Silence took the pair as Mara watched the water drip off from the tip of a stalactite. She took in a deep, slow breath as her hand reached up to support her side.
“What happened back there?”
Vareck scratched at the bottom of his chin, exhaling through his nose. He opened his mouth to respond but shook his head instead. “I suppose I ought to get around to telling you the full version of the curse.” A sinking feeling weighed down on his chest, curling at his stomach. The dank, musty air of the cave certainly wasn’t helping.
“The full version?” Mara turned toward Vareck. Her short, unamused replies spelled trouble every way Vareck looked.
“Ah, yes. Well, the first may have lacked some minor details.”
“Just minor details?” Mara questioned a second time, voice turning flat.
“Perhaps a few major ones, actually.” This wasn’t boding well.
Mara pinched the bridge of her nose, snapping her hand out vertically. “Why do you think it’s been so hard to trust you?” This felt too much like a loaded question. Vareck’s hands struggled to find a place, settling at his sides as he glanced away.
Mara set her palm against his chest, gaining his attention before she continued. “This isn’t just about the kidnapping, Vareck. It’s shit like this. There’s secrets and half-truths in my life everywhere I look. With you, my parents, people who I thought were my friends . . . ” Mara sighed, shaking her head. Vareck could only wonder what she had pulled herself away from saying. “If you care for me, if you ever want this to work, just be honest. Please.”
Vareck cursed at the scratchiness in his dry throat. He swallowed, trying to chase the dehydration away. “You’re right. You are absolutely right.”
“What?” Mara blinked.
He licked his lips, running his hand through his hair. Vareck turned, staring his mate directly in the eyes. “I have not been honest with you, Mara. Nor have I treated you as I should.” Vareck could have sworn the lightest dusting of pink rose onto her cheeks. It was hard to tell when he could only view her beauty in the moonlight that filtered into the cave, and that was quite sparse. The way the light casted onto her pale complexion was gorgeous. Not to mention, her freckles drew about a deep fondness he didn’t even know he was capable of feeling.
“I . . . that’s not—” Mara pressed her lips together, eyes flitting away from Vareck before facing him once more. “That’s not true. That hasn’t always been the case. About how you treat me.”
Was that a rare glimpse of Mara having a little bit of faith in him? He would take what he could get, so he smiled and gave her a small nod. He watched as she bit her bottom lip, a spark of attraction sizzling between them as they stared at each other. He dared to place his hand on her hip, pausing before bringing it back.
“We should get you off your feet.” His fingers trailed up, unhooking the metal clasp on his cloak. Figuring it was dry enough, or at least better than the harsh soil, he laid it down in front of her. The fabric draped over any imperfections in the ground, but Mara seemed to hesitate. Whatever mentally stopped her was pushed aside as she moved to lay down. A sigh of relief escaped from her lips as Vareck sat down beside her.
“I wouldn’t care if the ground was on fire. I want to lay here for days,” said Mara, groaning as she stretched out her legs. She was careful of her injury, curling up to the side to face Vareck. A light smile, contagious in nature, settled across her.
“Glad one of us enjoys living in hell’s greatest luxuries.”
“I’m a simple girl.” The words pulled a tired chuckle from his core. As if that statement was anything but the truth. His eyes settled upon her once more, greedily soaking in any moment he was given to gaze at her unquestioning.