Page 63 of The Dark Mage
Esrin’s eyes widened, and he stepped back.Recognition flashed across his face as his gaze dropped to Fael’s possessive hand, then returned to Ren’wyn.The disbelief and pain on his face wrenched her emotions in a thousand directions.Slowly, Esrin’s eyes roamed over her, taking in every change: the way she’d grown thinner since school, the way she hadn’t responded to hiskiss.
His eyes flicked to Fael—full of dark anger.Then they returned to Ren’wyn, disbelief creeping in again.
“Ren’wyn?”His voice cracked as he stepped closer, the three of them standing so close they could touch.“Did he force—?”
The question died unfinished as Fael’s low hiss cut through theroom.
Esrin took a startled step back as Fael’s power rippled over them like a hot breeze.Ren’wyn felt his hand tighten on her hip, the heat of his energy seeping through her dress.
Fael wouldn’t meet her gaze.His eyes were hard and angry, and a strange sinking sensation came knowing part was aimed at her.She couldn’t blame him.If a lover from Fael’s past had reappeared, claiming he was still hers, she’d feel the sameway.
“Tell us why you’re here, Esrin,” Ren’wyn said gently, still caught in the web of emotions—anger, shock, disbelief, and a painful sadness that still lingered.
For a moment, she thought he might leave without answering.But he relented, crossing his arms as he stared at the wall, as though it was easier than looking at her in Fael’s embrace.
“I’ve been on the move for almost a year,” Esrin said.“I’ve gathered a group of companions from different places.We live and work together, taking care of each other.When one of them heard about two unusual travelers in town, I came to invite you to join us.”
Fael studied Esrin with open disdain.Ren’wyn placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, but he shifted away almost imperceptibly.Her throat tightened.
“We’ll need to talk for a moment,” she told Esrin, gesturing toward the main room.“We need some privacy.”
Esrin’s gaze lingered on Fael, grim and searching.But he nodded smoothly and left the room with his head heldhigh.
Fael watched him go, then turned to Ren’wyn.His eyes were cold.She didn’t shrink from his gaze—there would be time for explanations.She knew what she felt.She could only hope the strength of his feelings would carry them throughthis.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.It was all she could think to say—too little, yet everything she needed him toknow.
Fael stared at her in silence.“We need to talk about him, Ren’wyn.”
The quiet intensity of his voice sent a shiver down her spine.
“I know, Fael.I promise we’ll talk.I promise.I’m confused and afraid, and this is difficult.He’s not...I’m not...It’s you.You’re my...”She broke off, her voice choked by tears.
“I don’t trust him,” Fael said, raking his hands through hishair.
“I know,” she replied.“I know.He was good—once—when we were...together.”She sighed, frustrated.“We’re not together now.That’s clear.”She glanced away, then met his eyes again.“His group might be what we’ve been looking for—not him,but…”
It was coming out all wrong, and her love for Fael closed her throat again.
Fael grimaced.She hated that he didn’t trust her in that moment.
“I’ll hear him out if you think he can be trusted,” Fael said finally.“But I don’t like it.And I want that on the record.”
Ren’wyn nodded, and they returned to the entryway.Fael’s absence of touch spoke volumes.
“We’ll come with you to your camp and consider your offer,” Ren’wyn said as they reached Esrin.
Fael stepped between her and Esrin.His hand rested on his sword hilt, his power humming with restrained intensity.
“If you try to harm her,” Fael said coldly, “I’ll kill you and anyone else involved—without hesitation.And I’ll enjoy it.”
Esrin nodded in acknowledgment, his face carefully neutral.
“Get your things,” he toldthem.
After paying the bill and shouldering their packs, the three of them headed into the woods.Ren’wyn decided she had never felt so uncomfortable as she did during the two-hour walk, where neither man would make eye contact or speak to her.Hatred rippled between them like fire carried on the wind of a thunderstorm—hot, stifling, and oppressive.
The trees grew thicker, draped with heavy vines and wispy curtains of hanging moss.From time to time, Esrin whistled a lilting bird call into the trees, and a distant, identical whistle answered.A warning, a request, or clearance to continue, she supposed.Ren’wyn glimpsed bright bromeliads high in the branches and wondered if they were poisonous or useful.Her gaze swept across patches of ferns and clusters of wild orchids, but she didn’t ask to stop—not with the mood hanging over her companions like a storm cloud.
