Page 85 of A Promise of Peridot
“Maybe the seer had another daughter? Or a son?” Mari suggested. “And Halden was mistaken?”
“Only women Fae are born with the ability,” Kane said. “And the seer only had one daughter. If Halden knows about Esme, there must be a reason she’s valuable to them.”
“If she’s still alive,” Griffin added.
Silence swallowed us whole once more.
“I hate to burst everyone’s bubble, but I don’t know if Arwen or I will be in any shape to travel tomorrow.”
I bit my lip and cut a sidelong glance at Fedrik. “I just need to brew some potions overnight. I have a feeling we’ll both be healthier come morning.” I had already slipped my hand underneath my own shirt, wincing at the burns as my palm pressed against them, cupping my breast to heal the blisters there and lacing together the skin of my palm, still shredded from the treasure room door.
“You’re the healer, but I don’t think this”—he grimaced, gesturing to his leg—“can be fixed with a potion of any kind.”
I wanted to tell him the truth. It was the right thing to do. But when Fedrik looked at me, he didn’t see the weak, naive girl from Abbington or the full-blooded Fae fated to save the continent. He didn’t see a child who had been beaten or a fearful, anxiety-riddled coward or a woman with a year—if that—left to live.
He only saw me.
“Trust me,” I said.
His eyes held mine with nothing but avid affection as he took my hand. “I do.”
His skin was smooth and soft, so different from Kane’s calloused fingers. I looked down to see his tan hand dwarf mine. He smelled warm and soothing, like figs and bergamot.
“I’ve got to piss,” Kane huffed.
My face and neck burned, and I pulled my hand from Fedrik’s.
Griffin shifted awkwardly in his corner before standing. “And I’ve got to gather the...” He scratched his jaw. “Leaves. Got to gather the leaves.” Griffin left almost as fast as Kane had.
I cut a glance at Mari, and tried to saydon’t you darewith my eyes.
“And I’m going to leave.” Mari stood. “Because this is awkward.”
She slipped out of the tent, leaving just Fedrik and me.
An involuntary laugh slipped out of me, but my pulse was racing. The sensation felt more like anxiety than lust, but didn’t it make sense to be jittery? After all the adrenaline, and fear, and—
“Hey,” Fedrik said, taking my hand in his once more. “I’m sorry. About what you went through today.”
“It’s not that bad.”
“May I?” he asked, gesturing toward my stomach.
I nodded stiffly and he let go of my hand to lift my shirt, ever so slightly.
“Bastards,”he hissed when he saw my healing burns. Fedrik looked back up at me, his eyes simmering.
“I’m all right,” I said, and meant it.
“I’m not,” he retorted, his breathing uneven. His blue eyes had regained some of their vivid color, and it was as if two boundlessoceans were staring back at me. When I remained silent, he lowered my shirt.
“I’m glad he was there. To help you.”
“Me, too,” I confessed.
“I know it was more than just a kiss... with him.”
I knew this would come out eventually. I sighed up at the apex of the tent. The rain had softened now, and was barely pattering above us.
