Page 29 of Fae Reckoning

“E-el?”

Splendorous shiny fuckballs and every ounce of glorious mercy!Despite the hitch to it, I would recognize that beautiful, deep voice anywhere.

“Rush?”

“El?”

Something bubbled out of me that was part relieved gasp, part broken sob, and part agonized cry. I’d never made a sound like it before in my life. “By scorching sunshine, you made it!” I laughed a little as a tear rolled down my cheek onto the floor, which felt like cool dirt. Inching my hands beneath my chest, I pushed up—onlyto collapse.Fine. I’d get up in a minute. At least the weight against my back implied that Saffron was right where I’d left him.

“I was so worried you wouldn’t make it,” I told Rush, my words pointed at the floor.

“Yeah,” he grunted. Shuffling sounds suggested he might be pushing to sit or stand. “I was worried I’d get left behind too. Are you alright?” His voice was far away, but nothing like in the cavern. He was close enough that he might share a room with me.

“Yeah. Fine.”Maybe.Eventually. “How’s everyone else?”

A mishmash of grunts, groans, croaks, coughs, andughs arrived in reply.

It took monumental effort, but I got my palms back under me and pushed up. I wobbled but held firm, already rubbing Saffron’s arms, still wrapped around my neck. After loosening his grip so he wasn’t choking me, I squeezed him.

“You okay, boy?”

He snuffled against the back of my neck and nuzzled closer.

“Thank sunshine.” I swallowed around a relieved lump in my throat. Rush had made it, and Saffron was okay. “There are so many of us now. Let’s sound off in case anyone needs help. Saffron’s accounted for.” I began with the most vulnerable, size-wise anyway. “Zafi?”

“Mmmmmmghhhhphft,” came the squeakycomplaint.

“Larissa?”

“Here.”

“Ramana and the four other sleepers?”

“All here,” West said. “As am I, Ry, and Hiro.”

“Xeno?” I asked.

“Here, Wyn.”

“Pru? Edsel?”

“Both here,” Edsel answered.

“Reed?”

“Here.”

“Roan?”

“I made it, lass, though me bollocks might never be the same after that journey.”

“Tell me about it,” Ryder muttered.

“Bertram?” I had no idea if the giant frog would understand or answer?—

“Waaawaaa-aaa.” His croak was a bit rougher than usual, but otherwise okay-sounding.

“Bolt?”

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