Page 41 of A Kiss of Embers
The only difficulty would be getting herself and Pri back to their own clan before Joram and his men intercepted her.
Within the small amount of time they wallowed over the future, raindrops pattered one by one on the leaves above them. Several drops fell onto her hair, one on the tip of her nose, before the storm began in earnest. The trees sheltered them from the majority of the rain, but the drops that managed to break through the barrier disguised the drip of tears down her face.
This wasn’t fair. This just wasn’t fair.
In a swift movement, she sliced her palm enough to draw blood and watched as a red droplet dripped from her hand and onto the floor. “I release you from your oath, Bastien Dalena.” Her voice wavered, but she pressed on. “You never needed it to begin with.”
“Ser…” he murmured, almost in protest, as he reached for her.
The idea of saying goodbye in any capacity gutted her, so she quickly turned away from him and strode out from the cover of the trees.
Only to be met by the roar of falling rain and nothing else.
Red and orange silt and rocks created a pathway from one edge of a steep cliffside to the other. Once upon a time, the water from the Glades had traveled through these parts, creating a thrillingly dangerous coursing river. But now?
The Forest Fae had dammed up the river, so only a trickle slithered across the red earth and over the cliffs to the expanse of emptiness below.
Oh, how she missed the refreshing water, pure enough to drink and sacred enough to be used in countless rituals. And when the sunset hit the water just right? The river looked like billowing fire. There was hardly anything left for them anymore.
On the opposite side of the dried-up river lay an expansive tree line, and she carefully watched for any sign of Pri or Ashryn. After several long minutes, Bastien sidled up beside her and took her hand.
“We are still two days early,” he reassured. “We may have to wait for their arrival.”
Of course, he didn’t mention the fact that Ashryn might not have been able to free Pri from prison. But she refused to abandon what little hope lived within her heart. “Then we will wait. Until then…” She smiled softly as she met his gaze, the relief in his eyes mimicking her own, as guilty as she felt for wanting more time with him.
Pulling him by the hand, she led him across the dried river and into the trees on the opposite side. They traveled for another few minutes until they reached a tree with ladder rungs leading into a poorly crafted treehouse.
He followed her up without hesitation and stepped inside the small space barely large enough for them to stand. She shut the door behind him, though it partly hung off its hinges. “My friends and I built this when we were young when the river still flowed with magic and healing.” She smiled as the memories of sweet, happy summers surfaced in her mind. “I don’t remember it being so small.”
For having been abandoned for years, the treehouse was in decent repair, aside from a few loose shutters and the door hanging off its hinges. Blankets made from animal furs lay across the bed, obsidian sconces rested across several small walls, and four chairs stood around a circular table tucked into a corner.
The treehouse was cozy. Perfect for a place to reside while they waited out the rain and Pri’s arrival.
One by one, Seraphina lit the sconces with her magic until the flames bathed the treehouse in a warm light. She took Bastien by the hand and urged him to sit in one of the dusty chairs beside the table. And then she rummaged through the special cabinet filled with drinks, herbs, and medicine, shocked that so many things still remained. Though, some of the food had long since rotted away.
Bastien laughed when she produced a hairbrush from the cabinet and stood behind him while working to unravel the ribbon tying his hair back.
“Why in the seven winds do you keep a hairbrush in here?”
Her eyes sparked with amusement as she met his gaze in the dusty, antique-freckled mirror across from them. “An ember secret.” And then, little by little, she began brushing out each knot in his hair and pulling out chunks of dirt and leaves. She couldn’t say she’d ever brushed a man’s hair before, and by the barely restrained amusement on his face, she reckoned no one had ever brushed his hair either.
The methodic movements of her hand helped soothe the worry tying her stomach into knots. Worry over Pri. Over her safety. Over her future. She wanted to burst outside into the rain and track the young girl down, but she hadn’t the slightest idea where to look first. She could only hope Ashryn’s friendship with Bastien was enough to keep Pri safe.
Halfway through her administration, she glanced at his reflection in the mirror once more, only to find his brows furrowed and his mouth puckered into a frown.
“You are being quiet,” she remarked softly.
He met her gaze in the mirror. “I’m worried about my father.”
“Ah.” Another smooth stroke of the brush. “He’s in a wheelchair?”
He nodded. “He can take care of himself just fine for the most part. But…I don’t like being away for long periods of time. It makes me uneasy. And…” He paused. “He’s going to be so worried.”
Her movements halted against his soft, white hair as she pressed her lips together. “Because he thinks I’m going to kill you.”
He turned in his chair to give her a pointed look. “How many times did you promise to end my life?”
“That was before I got to know you.” She resumed her fluid strokes with the brush, trying to be mindful of the bruise on his head and the cut on his ear. “I think I’d be horrified if I killed you now.”
