Page 66 of Oath of Rebellion

"Poison breath. Scales. Horns... but you're not a lizard? What about a horny toad? Or a poison frog?"

He snorted. "What's with you and amphibians?"

"Me? You're the tough nut to crack, with your magic that's literally the coolest I've ever seen."

She waved her hands wide. "I mean, look. You can control the forest itself. Don't think I haven't noticed how you've been keeping the brush and vines away with just a wave of your hand."

He shrugged. "I've lived the past thirty years in these woods. You have to stay on your toes around here. Develop some defenses."

She shook her head. "You must be pretty powerful. Most magical people have to use a focus object until they master at least one specific magic type. Some magical people even go their whole lives needing their wands. I know of several high ranking nobles who still need help focusing, although they've moved to more easily hidden items like hair pins and brooches. Others at court talk about them behind their backs all the time, of course."

He asked dryly, "Your point?"

She stroked his forearm where it still loosely held her, his hand settled easily on the pommel. "Have you always been able to control the forest? What else can you do? How does your poison breath work? Have you ever killed anyone?"

He shook his head and sighed dramatically. Hours passed as they talked, and Eirwyn knew she was annoying him with the incessant chatter. Yet she couldn't help herself. She wanted to know everything about him.

Eirwyn started to ask another question when she saw something land on his hand. She looked down and screamed, leaning back to smack at it with her other hand.

"Spider!" she yelled, swatting at his arm. Knox jerked on the reins, making the horse dance a few steps to shift off the faint path. Another spider landed on her and another.

The ground around them seemed to roll as black spiders ran toward them. More fell from the trees above, and Eirwyn screamed.

"Shit," Knox growled, then reached in his saddle bags and pulled out a stick with a gem on the end. Then he pulled out his axe and hit the gem, cracking it.

A bright, red glow swept over them and the horse, and the spider swarm fled from the light.

Eirwyn's heart raced as she looked around, checking her body for the dreadful things, but none remained.

He brushed a hand along her back and shoulders. "Are you alright? Did you get bit?"

She shook her hands with a shaky breath, so grateful for her dirty gloves now. "No, I think I have enough layers that they couldn't penetrate them. Did you?"

He shook his hand, flicking a spider away with a wince. "Yeah, damn thing got my hand. The one place that's not covered."

She wiped her hands on her pants, trying to wipe off the creepy crawling feeling that left her on edge. Worry made her frown.

"What kind were they? Are they dangerous? Are you going to be alright?"

He grunted and began to list to one side. "Annoying kind," he slurred.

She jerked his arm around her stomach, trying to get him to stay upright. "Stay with me, Knox."

He slumped against her back, wrapping his arm tightly around her. "Darkling spiders. Doesn't help to control the forest when I can't keep the spiders away. Take the stick before I drop it."

She reached for the reins and the glowing red stick, easily taking them from his limp fingers. "Knox? Tell me you're going to be alright."

Her heart raced more from the fear of losing him than the fear from the spiders. She couldn't lose him, not when she was just getting to know him.

She grabbed the stick, holding it out with a death grip to keep the tiny little creatures away.

"I'll be alright. Humans die from them, but I just–might pass out. If I do," he paused, his words slurring as he began to wheeze. "Just head for the creek. Ryder will take you to the water, don't worry."

She held him with her hand on his, gripping his arm tight as he slumped over on her. The pommel dug into her pelvis, making her wince.

She grunted as the rain began to grow steadier. "You great ox. Is that why they call you Knox? You weigh enough to be an ox. Maybe that's the type of shifter you are."

He grunted, not moving on her back. She winced at the weight and looked around, holding the red glow stick up.

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