Page 59 of The Falconer

I narrow my eyes. ‘Indulging in fantasies now, are we, Galloway?’

‘My fantasy at this precise moment is to enjoy a dram or two. I could use the drink.’ He glances at the flying machine. ‘I don’t suppose you have any whisky in your ornithopter.’

‘I don’t drink and fly! And even if I had some, you wouldn’t be allowed any.’

‘Harpy.’

‘Cad. I’m still sitting in water.’

‘Would you like me to help you up?’

My legs probably won’t work. The swim to shore took so much effort, I doubt my body will listen to me any more. ‘Um,’ I say, a little uncertainly, ‘no, thank you.’

I plant my hands down on the devilishly sharp rocks and manage to stand on shaking legs. My legs buckle.Oh, damnation. . .

Gavin grabs me around the waist. ‘I have you,’ he murmurs.

I raise my eyes to his, but it’s too dark to see him clearly. He is so quiet, his breathing as slow as the waves that lap around my legs. As rhythmic as the rain falling around us.

How can he be so calm about all this? I was the one who brought destruction into his life. Now he’ll never be able to hide again, not here. He’ll never be safe around me.

If my shaking legs would have allowed it, I’d have released his shoulders then. ‘I don’t blame you if you never want to see me again after tonight,’ I say.

‘Why wouldn’t I?’

‘Because,’ I say, a bit helplessly, ‘because you’ve tried to avoid the fae and I brought them right to you.’

‘That thought had occurred to me.’

I nod. He doesn’t have the skill to fight them off. A Seer’s energy is a boon to any fae that finds one. He’ll be just as hunted as I am.

‘But if I did that – walked away – what kind of friend would that make me?’

‘An intelligent one,’ I say.

‘But not a good one. That’s not the kind of man I am.’

I stare up at him. I wonder if he thinks me damaged, beyond saving. Whether he is only here out of obligation, because we grew up together. I may not be his responsibility the way that Catherine is, but he treats me as though I am. He always has.

‘Gavin,’ I say, hesitant. ‘I-I think—’

‘What?’

I need control. I shouldn’t feel this vulnerable or exposed. It’s exhaustion from the fighting, it has to be. ‘I can walk the rest of the way on my own,’ I say.

‘Right. I’ll let go of you, then.’

He gently releases his hold. I squeak as my legs collapse under me. I would have fallen if he hadn’t caught me again. In the dark, I see the flash of his teeth in a wide grin. He’s enjoying this.

I almost swear at him. The smug bounder. ‘I don’t suppose you could—’

‘Shall we dispense with the preamble? You want me to carry you.’

‘Do you have to sound so satisfied about it?’

‘Why not?’ he says cheerfully. ‘It’s not every day I get to carry a lady.’

I glare at him. ‘I should have let thesluaghtake you.’

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