Page 30 of The Lost Guard's Healer

“You mean you tripped,” I say. I watch him carefully, wondering if he’s telling the truth about his ankle.

I shove him. He staggers back a few steps and his left leg buckles under him. I quickly reach him before he falls to the ground.

“What in the hells…” he says in surprise.

“Sorry, just checking,” I say, and look at the tree line we’d entered from. “I can’t hear them.”

“I think they’re a good distance away,” Tarin says. “They were so intent on catching the boar and helping Freddick, that I don’t think they’re going to be back anytime soon.”

“You don’t know that,” I say defiantly.

“Come on, let’s see if we can follow their trail.”

I walk with him. My adrenaline is still high from the boar attack. My dress is caked in mud and my hair feels like a matted mess. “Is that something you can do? Follow their trail?”

“It depends on the trail.”

I can’t believe I’m stuck here with him, of all people. But I have no choice but to work with him if we’re going to get out of here in one piece. And I know it means something that he was the only one to stay behind. Perhaps he isn’t such an evil man after all. Perhaps.

He eyes me as we pass through the trees. “So… would you like to tell me about that golden light you summoned?”

I hold my chin high. “No.”

And that’s that.

Chapter thirteen

Galene

Ifollow Tarin through the rocky pathways for some time. I’m not sure where he’s taking me exactly, even if he says he’s checking on prints in the dirt and broken branches. At times, I insist on going in one direction, and we bicker for a while before one of us gives in.

The only weapon we have is the dagger on my belt, but I prefer to keep that to myself. If I’m going to be alone with this man, I prefer to be the one with the weapon. Even though he could likely kill me with his bare hands before I pull the dagger from its sheath.

The sun has already dipped toward the horizon and has long since hidden behind the higher points of the mountain. All around us are rock walls and rough pathways that incline or decline. I feel like we’re trapped in a maze. The only sounds are the clumps of dirt shifting under our steps and the low howl of wind.

“I can’t believe they vanished like that,” I say, shaking my head. “Be honest. Are you really following their trail, or…?”

“Or what? You think I’m purposely keeping us here?”

I shrug.

He grins at me, which makes me grow hot with anger.

“What?” I demand.

“You pout when you have no response,” he says with a smirk. “It’s cute.”

Cute? Did he just use that word? I eye him mistrustfully, feeling flustered. “You didn’t answer my question.”

“Because I thought it was a foolish one,” he says, his smirk growing wider. “Am I following their trail or keeping us here on purpose?” he asks.

I nod.

“I will answer that if you first answer my question.”

I know what’s coming.

“What was that golden light?” Tarin asks.

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