Page 68 of A Conduit of Light
Sheslid through the small opening she gave herself, shutting the heavy door quietly, leaning back against it, biting her lower lip as she always did when she was scheming.Shestood there, her hair wild, her skirts ripped and blackened, the whiff of withered life meeting his nose.
“Youknock now?”
“Iwasn’t sure if you had calmed down yet.”
“Ihaven’t.”
“Ifigured.ButIwanted to change and all of my things are here.”
“Ofcourse all of your things are here.Youlive here.”
“IknowIlive here.”
“Good.”
“Good.”
Revichsat tense on the chair, his head turned over his shoulder so that he could look at her.
Hevaried between yelling and laughing.Hewas angry, yes, but she was adorable.
Shewas home.
Therewas his piece, his heart, standing at the door, looking as if she’d just survived a battle and yet her presence allured him anyway.
“I’lljust get changed then.”
Shemoved toward the armoire they shared, and he caught her hand as she passed, rising finally, turning her around.
“Ourdiscussion isn’t done.”
“Iknow that.”
“Infact,Ithink you’ll be hearing about it not just from me in the near future.OnceFiguerahandClairannialearn about this—”
“Itold them already.Andyes,Iheard plenty about it from them.She’sokay by the way.Moira.Clairanniais truly gifted.Wewill keep her in my old room for now as she heals.I’llstay with her.It’sbestClairanniais near anyway in case she takes a turn…”
Hervoice trailed off in her explanation.Helooked down at her in distress, recalling her disappearance in the mist and how he had screamed her name over and over again.
Sheshook her head, reaching up to cup his cheek. “I’msorry,Rev.I’msorry, butI’mgoing to stop apologizing now.AndI’mnotsorry for savingMoira’slife.”
Heopened his mouth to speak, having plenty to say about that faerie and what she was really worth, but she covered it with her hand, the scent of her warming his heart.
“Don’tspeak.Goback to not speaking for a moment.”
Hecouldn’t help but smile under her hand.Hergreen eyes brightened. “Youwere there to save me.Yougot me out.Yougotusout.Andwe know more about theBlightnow.Ipromise,Iwill never enter it without you again.Iam safe.Iam here.Weare together.Thereis no need for your fear,Rev.I’mokay.We’reboth okay.”
Sherose slightly to meet his lips and her hands tucked his hair back behind his ears.Itwas a kiss of assurance.Away to subdue him, as she surely intended.
Hekept his eyes open and watched her face as she caressed her mouth over his.
Shewas right about one thing.
Shewould never go into theBlightwithout him again.
Becauseshe was never again going into theBlight.
Period.
