Page 100 of Desire

“Nothing yet,” Brandle said. His hand left my hair as he stood. “Edmund’s right. Whether Kellen wakes or not, it won’t be safe to remain here for long. I’ll help the others clear the opening so we can leave as soon as possible.”

I listened to his retreating footfalls and wondered what they planned to do next. Even if I could speak, though, I wouldn’t ask, fearing that any answer they might provide would risk my ability to break their spell. Yet, I couldn’t close my ears as Garron held me and I listened to his conversation with Darian and Daemon.

“How did the Foul Queen find her?” Daemon asked. “Was it the casting?”

“I don’t know,” Garron said. “It seems most likely, though I find it hard to believe. We tested Kellen’s range. The queen shouldn’t have been able to sense her. But what other reason could there be other than she’s known where we were all along?”

“Which is unlikely,” Darian said. “If she knew where we were, the glade would have been empty when Kellen arrived.”

“I agree,” Garron said. He kissed my brow and rose. “I’ll check the barrier and attempt to speak with Kellen’s father again.”

“We’ll stay with her,” Darian said. “Our eyes won’t stray for a moment.”

Garron’s steps retreated. Darian’s hand smoothed over my leg.

“I know you can hear us, Princess,” he said. “Can you make the dishes rattle when you will it?”

I thought about it for a moment and freed some of my frustration. The dishes rattled. I immediately calmed my mind, which quieted the dishes, and felt Darian and Daemon’s pride.

“Well done, Lamb,” Daemon said.

“We have questions. Rattle the dishes if the answer is yes,” Darian said. “Are you hurt?”

He waited a few moments then let out a relieved sigh. “Good. Very good. Do you know how to break this spell?”

I couldn’t say for certain that I did, so I kept the dishes silent as I checked on Maeve’s progress once more. She remained too close yet. Until she was a safe distance away, I couldn’t attempt to break the spell.

Darian patted my thigh over my shift.

“It’s all right. We’ll figure it out together,” he said.

Daemon reclined beside me and pulled me into his arms.

“We should sleep while we can,” he said. “Brandle will want us to keep watch tonight.”

I lay there and listened to his breathing slow as I monitored the others. They milled around the yard, and I could feel what they were doing. Cooking. Washing the dishes. Garron was even checking the barrier.

I could feel the sun’s energy fading. Edmund, Eadric, and Liam drifted in a short time later.

"Brandle and Garron will take the first watch,” Edmund said.

They settled in. The temperature dropped. Darian sighed and rolled toward me. His fingers brushed over my face.

“She feels cold,” he said softly.

“I’ll get a blanket,” Eadric said.

Once I was covered and warm, I felt the tug of sleep. After checking Maeve one last time, I gave in to it.

“Edmund, wake up.”

Darian’s whisperedwords penetrated my sleep.

“Is it my turn?” Edmund asked groggily.

“Yes. Keep her warm for me.”

“I’ll keep her warm for me,” he said, sounding more awake.

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