Page 107 of The War and Deceit Series omnibus

“I’m ready,” I shout, bracing my foot against the trunk again, and start trying to climb. The rope goes taut as Vaeril pulls.

Even with his assistance, it’s hard, my limbs trembling, but after what feels like a lifetime, I make it to the top.

I look down and immediately regret it as dizziness overcomes me and I have to cling to the tree to stop myself from falling. A chuckle has me glancing up at Vaeril who’s watching me with a half smile and shaking his head. He looks pale, but in better spirits than earlier. His hand is still pressed against the tree, and he closes his eyes. For a moment, I think he’s resting, but his lips start to move like before. I watch him, intrigued, and I swear he seems better when he opens his eyes minutes later.

“We will keep watch in turns, make sure we’re not being followed, and ensure neither of us falls from the tree,” he instructs, as he leans forward and ties the other end of the rope around his waist. Vaeril gestures for me to move closer to him, patting a place next to him by the trunk. The branch we’re sitting on is wide at its base, with room enough for the both of us, but it will be snug.

“I’ll take first watch,” I offer, as I shuffle over, taking my cloak off in the process. My side is pressed right up against his as I rest against the trunk, draping the cloak over both our legs. Out of the corner of my eye, I see him watching me, but I focus on my task and don’t give in to the temptation to look back at him.

“Okay,” he replies, and I have to stifle my surprise. I was expecting to have to put up a fight to get him to rest. Pleased, Icarefully reach forward for the pack and remove the water flask. It’s almost empty now, we’ll have to find more tomorrow if we want to make it to Galandell. Taking a sip, I turn to offer it to Vaeril, but see he’s already asleep.

I close the lid and keep it in my lap as I settle in for a long night.

“Clarissa,” Vaeril calls gently, but I still startle awake and look around as I try to work out where I am. Scrambling back, I glance down and realise I’m up in a tree.

“What—” I ask, confused as I run my hands through my hair and scrub my eyes, needing to wake up to process what’s happening.

“Are you okay?”

I look over and see the flush on his cheeks and immediately remember the events of the last couple of days. Groaning, I brush my hair from my face and try to shuffle on the tree so I’m facing him, but I end up awkwardly leaning over his body.

“I’m fine, I should be asking you that.” Lifting the water flask, I frown at its weight, and I open the lid and find that it’s full of clear, fresh water.

“Look,” Vaeril says, pointing towards our cloak-covered feet. There, resting on top of the cloak, is a small bundle of plants.I remember what he told me yesterday about a plant that could help pull the poison from his wound.

“What... is that the angel’s breath you were talking about?” I query, as I carefully reach out and grab it, examining the plant and its small leaves. How had he managed to find it, and how did he get it without waking me? We’re tied together, after all. “How did you get it?”

“I didn’t,” he replies, taking the now full flask from my hands and drinking deeply from it. “It was a gift.”

“A gift? From who?” Glancing around us, I notice we are completely alone. How had someone managed to sneak past us and leave these ‘gifts’ right in our laps without us noticing? “Look, there’s something else here too.” I hadn’t seen it before, I was so focused on the plant and full flask.

Taking the wrapped leaf, I open it to find a small cluster of mushrooms, nuts, and berries.

“The sprites, I would assume, although it could have been the imps,” he replies, taking a couple of the nuts and popping them into his mouth with a pleased hum.

“Wait, the what?” I just stare at him, sure he’s joking and he’s going to tell me he did this as some elaborate prank.

Did he say imps? Sprites? Like the creatures from fairy tales I heard the nannies tell the children at the castle? They’re real?

“The sprites and—” He starts before frowning and turning to look at me. “They don’t teach you about the other fae races?”

Lifting my sleeve, I show him my slave marks. “Slave, remember? My education was sorely lacking.” Leaning back against the tree, suddenly famished, I toss some of the berries into my mouth. The sweet tartness of the fruit makes me hum in pleasure, and I take a couple more, enjoying the rich flavours. We sit in silence for a few minutes, enjoying our gift when a thought comes to me. “There are other races?”

“Many,” he confirms with a nod.

I want to ask more, I want to know all about this world of fae he mentioned, but I know there will be time for that later. Right now, I need to get out of this tree. Last night I hadn’t been too bothered by it, but for some reason, now fully rested, I would rather not spend any more time in it than I have to.

“Let’s get on solid ground and I’ll check your wound,” I suggest, grabbing hold of the angel’s breath to make sure we don’t lose it in transit.

It takes longer than I would like to admit to get out of the tree, my ankle protesting the whole time, and I discover that getting down is far harder than climbing up. Once I’m finally back on the ground, I take a deep, calming breath and turn to see Vaeril kneeling before the tree. As he did yesterday, his palms are pressed against the bark and his mouth is moving as if he’s speaking, but I can’t hear anything. When he pulls away, he sees my quizzical expression.

“I thanked her for her shelter and protection.” He says it like it makes complete sense. Arching an eyebrow, I shake my head, trying to suppress my smile at his comment.

“You thanked a tree?” Again, I try to keep the question light, he’s obviously taking this seriously, but it comes out tight and high. He rolls his eyes, and I know I’m off the hook when I smile at him. Gesturing for him to sit, I search through the pack to find what I need for his dressing. “I’m going to check your wound.”

He does as I ask, only wincing a little bit as he repositions himself before lifting his shirt. “I spent time with the wood elves, remember? I picked up some tricks.”

Kneeling at his side, I remove the dressing and I have to fight to keep my face neutral again, but thankfully, he is looking around at the other trees. The wound looks much the same, but black lines are snaking away from it and up his body. They are only short tendrils at the moment, and I might not know much about wounds or poison, but I know this isn’t good. Reachingfor the flask of alcohol, I open the cap and pour a little onto the wound, trying to ignore Vaeril’s hisses of pain.

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