Page 56 of The Dark Mage
Ren’wyn traced the sharp planes of his face until he tucked her tight against his chest.
His breath came hard and fast, his heart pounding against her cheek where her head rested in the crook of his neck.One of his hands settled between her shoulder blades as he shuddered.They held each other as rain washed the blood from theirskin.
Ren’wyn shivered—her dress ripped up the back.She reached around to hold it closed, and Fael growled at the motion, low and possessive.
“Did.They.Hurt.You.”Each word was a threat, a promise, and a desperate question, his fingers digging into her shoulders as he looked into hereyes.
“No,” she whispered.“Oh gods, yes.”He stiffened, so she quickly added, “They kicked me.I’ll be bruised in ten different places, and his knife cut my throat.”
She pointed to where the second soldier lay, then touched the spot above her collarbone.
“You saved me,” she said, the words trembling with relief.Everything came rushing back, stealing her breath.“They dragged me here and told me to be quiet.They pushed me down.I couldn’t find my power—I couldn’t stopthem…”
He pulled her to him, so close she felt his strength seep into her skin and bones.
“I heard you scream from the river,” he said hoarsely, “then saw where you struggled.I had to get my weapons, string my bow.I heard them laughing, and when I came through the bushes…” His voice broke, his body shaking.“They were holding you down, pressing your face into the mud, and he”—a savage gesture toward the second soldier—“had slit your dress down the back.I shot him first.”
Wiping a hand across his eyes, Fael smeared blood like paint on hisskin.
“The sight of you, Ren’wyn.”His voice, guttural and feral, simmered with power.“Terrified, restrained, your rushing fear blocking your power…” He fell silent, his fingers clawing at the back of her dress as though needing to anchor himself toher.
After a long moment, she gently pulled away.Leaning over, she picked up his sword and handed it to him.She reached out her free hand, using the other to clutch her torn dress closed.Together, they walked silently to their campsite, where Ren’wyn retrieved her tan dress from her pack before taking Fael’s hand again.
By the stream, Fael faced the camp while Ren’wyn undressed and bathed.A large bruise had already bloomed over the left side of her rib cage, and another was appearing on her stomach.Fael stilled when she hissed in pain, but she murmured that she was alright, and he returned to cleaning his swords.She climbed out of the water, pulling on clean undergarments and her dress.
“Your turn,” she whispered, taking hisspot.
Fael’s swords lay clean next to her.She listened to the soft swish of his clothes in the grass, focusing on the birds and the rain dripping through the leaves as he bathed.Once fully dressed, he sat beside her and leaned his head onto her shoulder, one arm creeping around herback.
“We’ve already lingered too long,” he murmured.“We need to move before anyone finds the regiment.”
“We should move.I won’t be able to sleep here,” Ren’wyn replied.“But trust me for a moment.”
Once again, she stood and reached out.Fael sheathed his short sword, then slung his broadsword over his back.He clasped her hand like a lifeline and followed her to theroad.
It was a mess of blood and mud and bodies, and without adrenaline to shield her, Ren’wyn blanched.She took Fael’s arm, wrapping it around her chest as he had the night he’d saved her.His solid body anchored her as she let the Void flood throughher.
He grounded her to earth and fire while the darkness and cold flowed from her hands.Rain turned to black smoke.She splayed her fingers and threw her arms out, letting the darkness flood the road in the shape of prowling beasts.The corpses dissolved into the mud, bones snapping and pulverizing into dust.She summoned a vicious wind that churned the scene of slaughter and erased their footprints.Only the weapons remained.
When she released her power, Fael gently let go of her.They entered the road, gathering swords, shields, and bows, which they threw into the shrubs.When they were done, Fael’s callused palm slid against hers, grounding her again as they shouldered their packs.
Ren’wyn trembled as she pulled on her cloak, but Fael’s hands soothed her shoulders.Under her fingers, the ghost pipes on her clasp felt cool and reassuring.Looking up, she found Fael gazing back with sweet affection.So much death.So much horror and pain and killing.But there was love and loyaltytoo.
Clean, though cold and wet, Fael and Ren’wyn followed the road.The rain fell steadily all day, but gloriously, a town appeared on the horizon.Bone-weary, they located an inn where Fael booked them one room as a married couple and arranged for wine and food to be brought up.
In their room, Ren’wyn threw herself face-first onto the bed, her wet clothes clinging to her chilledskin.
“You should change,” Faelsaid.
Groaning, she complied, changing into her last clean outfit while he watched out the window.He took his turn to dry off and change, and Ren’wyn spent the minutes observing the tidy room with its blue walls and cream linens.
A soft knock sounded.Fael took the food, passing out a gold mark with a quiet, “Thank you.”He handed Ren’wyn a plate of potatoes, rice, peas, and fried chicken, then uncorked the wine and poured two glasses.
Their hips touched as they sat silently on the bed, eating.Ren’wyn drained her glass of sweet white wine, passing it back to Fael for more.After her second glass, her head spun.Fael barely touched his own wine, but both devoured thefood.
With the dishes in the hallway, Fael returned to Ren’wyn.Wrapping an arm around her back, his hand idly stroked her forearm.She turned toward him, the memory of their kiss burning through her body and chasing away the cold terror of the road and regiment.
“You are everything to me,” he said baldly.“I would fight to my last breath to save you; die a thousand times if it meant your safety.I’d give all of myself to show you what you’re worth.”
