Page 117 of Bound By Darkness

The young man’s eyes widened. “I–I can’t. I’m putting away the wares for the owner. I’m indebted to him. I don’t sell anything. Besides, you need to use the… the parchment. Not money.”

“Fetch him for me so I can make him an offer. I’m sure he would prefer coins to paper.”

The man shook his head. “He is gone on a two-day ride. I am here to look over the carriage.”

I leaned forward, placing each silver coin onto the worn carriage, the weight of each one slapping against the groaning wood. “I’m sure he wouldn’t miss one bottle. Perhaps it was lost as you moved the wares from side to side.”

I pushed the coins further. “No one has to know you sold this to me. Three silver coins straight into your pocket and nota piece of paper.”

The young man stared intently at the coins, his hand slowly covering them. “Not a word?”

“Not a word.”

After surveying the area,the young man quickly shoved the coins into his pocket. “Grab the bottle and go.”

Grinning, I tucked the bottle under my cloak and ran the rest of the way to my tent. The bottle stayed oddly warm against my chest, like a soothing prayer weeping into my weary bones.

My feet were sore, and my breath was labored as I swung back the black curtain to my cot, pulling the bottle in front of me.

Swinging it back and forth, I stared at the liquid. Maybe it was useless. Perhaps it was a random bottle filled with paints, but maybe… maybe something special swirled within. Something cast aside for eons and eons.

Rustling sounded from the flaps as heavy footsteps reverberated through the tent.

Stuffing the bottle under a pile of dirtied clothes, I tossed the cloak on top, figuring it would provide an extra layer of security. I’d stare at it later. Perhaps take a swig if I grew bold enough.

Lifting the black flap separating my space, I headed to the wooden furnace as my eyes caught Fin near the cot.

Wood burned and crackled as the fire ate through the thick logs, the smoke funneling through a black pipe. It disappeared at the top of the tent.

Stretching out my toes, I let the heat nip at them.

“How did training go?” Fin asked, his back exposed as he tossed on a wool knit sweater—a gift from one of his endless lovers.

“Fine.” Fire lashed out, stinging my toes as I jerked them farther back.

Fin smoothed the cream material over his chest, each wrinkle disappearing before taking the spot next to me. “Still no casting?”

Glaring, I tucked my hands under my armsfor added warmth. “No.”

A singular brow rose. “No? Or you refuse to.”

“I am not a weapon.”

Fin raised his hands. “I didn’t say you were, but the blood oath you hastily decided with Iyanna says otherwise.”

I let out a low sigh, the tension in my shoulders remaining. “What choice did I have? I did it for Moria. For all of us.” Why did they not understand the gravity of the situation or what I had done to protect them?

“You had me. You had Ivan. We could have figured something out.”

“You say that like it’s simple. I did what was required.” I huffed. “I don’t need a lecture from you too.”

“Fine, but don’t believe because I’m staying silent I’m agreeing with what you did.”

A log crackled and popped as it broke in half, pieces of burnt wood falling to the bottom.

I twirled a curl between the folds of my fingers as I averted my gaze. Both Fin and Ivan were pissed. I knew why, but Iyanna had cornered us perfectly in her tent. There were no other options to accept that would keep everyone safe. It might have been hasty, but it was the first decision I chose to make. The first of many I would continue to choose if it meant protecting those I cared for.

Fin remained quiet. Scarily speechless as heat seeped into my feet and legs. He tossed in another log, silence sinking in—“You don’t have to repay us like this. You don’t have to repay Moria either.”

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