Page 68 of The Dark Mage
She wanted to pull him close, to kiss him all over until that wariness disappeared.She wanted to return to Amoya, to hisbed.
Frustrated and aching, Ren’wyn yanked out her bedroll with more force than necessary and found a spot beneath a tall patch of ostrich ferns, away from the others.She returned to the group for as long as felt polite, then curled up on the soft earth, wishing Fael’s solid warmth was besideher.
Every so often, his warm and steady aura brushed her senses—and Esrin’s, breezy and restless.
She could tell when Fael went off to exercise, expelling his pent-up energy with one of his vigorous short sword routines.The familiar sounds of sharp, rhythmic movement settled her nerves as the sky darkened.
Eventually, the night birds began their song, and Ren’wyn drifted gratefully into unconsciousness.
20
Their pace was more relaxed the next day, but moving in the wrong direction felt strange.
“How long until we return to camp?”Ren’wyn asked.
Esrin glanced over his shoulder.“We’ll turn northeast after lunch.You and Fael will come with me along the road while the others finish their route through the woods.We’ve got a few errands to take care of.”
Within an hour, the forest thinned, revealing small farms as they stepped onto the road.Lia, Miguel, and Alen handed over their coin bags and disappeared into the trees, heading back toward camp.Esrin beckoned to Ren’wyn and Fael, leading themwest.
Twenty minutes later, a small village appeared—its houses weathered and worn.A group of children ran out to greet them, their eyes darting nervously to Ren’wyn and Fael but bright with affection for Esrin.One of the smallest boys, no older than five, sprinted forward and leapt into Esrin’sarms.
“Esrin!Esrin!”the boy cried, giggling as Esrin tickledhim.
Parents peeked from their doorways, dressed simply and watching with hesitant eyes—some still clouded with fear.But when they saw Esrin, that fear melted into relief.Ren’wyn’s curiosity sparked at their response.
Esrin shifted the boy in his arms and turned to her andFael.
“This is Olir,” he explained.“These are our people.We provide for them, and in return, they distribute what we steal to the needy across western Luremala.We support two magical communities and several villages devastated by imperial taxes.”
He ran a hand over the boy’s hair, giving him an affectionate squeeze.“They keep up appearances—barely enough to pay their taxes—but each family is independently wealthy.”His grin was devilish, and Ren’wyn took a closerlook.
The villagers’ clothing was simple but clean and well-maintained.To anyone without a keen eye, Olir would seem like just another struggling ruraltown.
“Esrin,” Ren’wyn rasped, wonder threading through her voice.“This is incredible!”
Two of the men divided the coin under Esrin’s direction.The largest pile was set aside for a magical refuge Esrin’s group had been supporting for months.Ren’wyn and Fael observed quietly, and Fael’s approval radiated from him like heat from glowing coals.His sharp eyes tracked every interaction, cataloging the details.When Esrin began lining the villagers’ packs with small portions of profit, Fael joined in without needing to be asked.
On the way out of town, Esrin checked in on a few people.
First, an elderly woman whose raspy cough told Ren’wyn she was nearing the end of her life.Esrin spoke quietly with her adult son while Ren’wyn explained a tea blend to the daughter-in-law.Fael’s warmth enveloped her again, and when she glanced back, his small, approving smile made her pulse quicken.
Esrin visited two children recovering from fever and hugged a family that had lost their father, ensuring they’d receive extra funds.Ren’wyn watched, fascinated by his ease withthem.
When they finally left, the road stretched ahead, their pace slow and easy in the afternoon light.Ren’wyn could have done without the hot sun on her shoulders, her hair sticking to her sweaty neck, but she didn’t complain.At dusk, they stopped and finished off the last of their travel rations.
“This is my last visit,” Esrin said, his voice tinged with sadness.“We can’t keep taking from this area without drawing too much attention.I’ve made sure they know I’ll keep sending support through other channels.”
Ren’wyn and Fael nodded, understanding the wisdom in his words.The silence between them was thick, anticipation and dread coiling in Ren’wyn’s chest at the thought of the conversation she and Fael needed to have back atcamp.
Almost two hours later, they reached familiar woods.Esrin subtly quickened his pace, eager to return.
The camp appeared through the trees, and Miguel was stationed near the fire, his cheerful shout drawing the others over to greet Esrin.After claps on the back and quick debriefs about the journey, Esrin turned to Ren’wyn and Fael, raising an eyebrow.
“So,” he asked, tucking his black hair behind his ears, “have you decided?”
Ren’wyn met Fael’s gaze, and for a moment, the world fell away.A slow pulse of power brushed against her chest—warm and steady—while Fael received the cool, dark tether of her magic pressing against hisown.
They nodded together.
