Page 20 of The Dark Mage
But there was somethingmore.
Red met black in the space between them, their powers brushing like hesitant hands reaching out in the dark.The connection surged, sudden and visceral, like a falling star pulled to earth.It wasn’t just power—it was recognition, a magnetic force that drew her in and settled in her chest like embers.
Her eyes snapped open, and his met hers.His expression held the same recognition, tinged with surprise.
“I’m Ren’wyn,” she whispered, letting a note of trust soften her voice.
“Fael,” he replied gruffly, the gift of his name a guarded offering.
He rose, the firelight casting long shadows across his face, and stepped into the night.
Ren’wyn leaned back against the stone, exhaustion finally overtaking her as she surrendered to sleep.
6
The next time Ren’wyn woke, Fael stood over her, his hood pulled up to hide the imperial tattoos on his scalp.
“We have to move,” hesaid.
She sat up slowly, her head still aching from everything the previous night.In a low, detached voice, she briefly explained Erst’s abuse, recounting the story as though it belonged to someone else.No tears or pain came—just words, dry and hollow.
Fael listened silently, his jaw tightened as he crouched to examine her ankle.His steady, practiced hands braced and wrapped the injury, while his furrowed brow betrayed his anger at what she had endured.
“At least it’s not broken,” he muttered.
Ren’wyn let him help her limp to the riverbank to gather willow bark, which she boiled into a bitter tea.She forced it down, thankful it would ease thepain.
Fael supported her, and they traveled upstream.Each step was grueling, beads of sweat sticking her hair to her temples as she ground her teeth against the burning pain.Fael bore much of her weight with surprising ease, never once complaining about their excruciatingly slowpace.
When they reached two small inlets feeding into the Farro, he lifted her gently by the waist, placing her on each opposite bank.She couldn’t help admiring the undeniable strength in his firm but careful touch.
“You’re doing well,” he said encouragingly after the second stream.
Her eyes rolled automatically.
Why is he helping me?I am a liability.I’m slow, injured, and no help to him.Why hasn’t he left me?
They reached the inlet of Mere Creek, a tributary of the Farro that passed Lord Vair’s estate.
“We’ll follow the Mere,” Fael explained, his gaze traveling upstream as though he could see their destination.“It leads to the Dark Forest.Once we’re inside, we’ll make our way to Terrepin.The entire journey will take a couple of weeks—two or three days along the Mere to accommodate your injury, then ten days or so through the forest.”
“The opposite bank of the Mere has thick cover,” he continued, “which will work to our advantage.There’s no rush; rest as long as youneed.”
Ren’wyn hesitated before asking, “How will we cross the Mere?”Though what she truly wanted to ask was why he hadn’t lefther.
“There is a small ford a few miles south.I’ll carry you across,” he replied.
Curiosity finally won over caution.“Why?”she blurted.“Why are you helping me?I owe you my life already—or at least my freedom.What will you gain by dragging an injured woman with nothing to offer through the woods into Terrepin?”
The words hung between them, her heart constricting as she awaited his response.She wished she hadn’t asked.They owed each other nothing; what if her question encouraged him to abandon her, just like her mother and Esrin?The thought of being left alone and vulnerable was a raw, unhealed wound.
Fael stood silently, staring through the trees before walking to sit beside her.She lifted her swollen ankle onto a fallen log, leaning back against an oak.When he finally spoke, his response was barely more than a whisper.
“Would you believe me if I said I have to?”Those hazel eyes met hers, solemn and honest.“I felt you by the river, and everything in me says to protectyou.”
He shifted to regard his hands.“I don’t remember the last time I spoke honestly with someone.My entire life has been lies and killing.I want redemption, to prove my power can be used for good—to protect, not destroy.”
His voice softened further, interlacing with the bubbling creek.“When I saw you tumble down that riverbank…” Ren’wyn blushed at the memory.“I felt like the world was offering me a chance.Why you?I don’t know, but I trust my magic.”
