Page 71 of The Dark Mage
He swept her hair aside and pressed a kiss to herneck.
“I am only yours,” he murmured, his voice a rich, velvety promise.
Ren’wyn fled from his tent, crossed the clearing, and climbed into her bedroll fully dressed and completely undone.
21
Ren’wyn couldn’t sleep.Sweat soaked the tiny cot, clinging to her skin.After an hour of tossing and turning, she stripped off her dress, desperate for relief.But even in the dark, Fael’s smile and burning eyes haunted her.Like a ghost of his touch and the warmth of his body.The memory of that fire made her bonesache.
She finally drifted into an exhausted, fitful sleep, but it offered little solace.
When morning came, Fael didn’t look any better.His face was drawn, his eyes shadowed as though he’d slept even less than she had.Ren’wyn schooled her expression, avoiding his gaze, afraid that the pictures in her mind might be visible on herface.
Needing a distraction, she grabbed the laundry and headed to the river.
Ren’wyn finished the task in record time, scrubbing the clothes with perhaps too much force but pleased with the results.She draped the garments over nearby shrubs to dry, the sound of the stream bubbling nearby.
She hesitated before stripping down and slipping into the cold, clear water.The chill shocked her fevered skin, and she let out a small sigh as the tension began to ease.The lavender soap lathered smoothly in her hands, rinsing away the remnants of last night’s turmoil.
“Well, well, well,” a familiar voice said from behindher.
Ren’wyn dipped deeper beneath the water, though she knew it hid nothing in the morning light.She turned to face Esrin, her jaw tightening.
“Get out of here, Esrin,” she commanded.
He laughed but kept his gaze turned away.Despite everything, he had enough decency not tolook.
“I came down to apologize for last night,” he said, his tone uncharacteristically sincere.“I shouldn’t have baited Fael—or embarrassed you in front of him.As traveling companions, I’m sure you’ve shared… enough.”
A statement wrapped in a question.Ever the politician,Ren’wyn thought grimly.
“I’m not having this conversation naked,” she said firmly.
Esrin’s mouth tilted upward.“Shall I join you, then?”he asked, still staring pointedly away.“Not that I’d mind theshow.”
“Turn around, Esrin.”
He held up his hands in mock surrender and turned his back.Ren’wyn scrambled up the bank, pulling her dress over her wet skin.The fabric clung unpleasantly, but at least she was covered.
“Alright.”She allowed him to turnback.
Esrin’s expression was serious now.“Ren’wyn, I’m sorry for how I behaved.”
Her arms crossed tightly over her chest as she scowled.Why did you come down here, Esrin?What do you want from me?
“Please,” he pleaded, his voice raw.“I want to make things right.I remember so much of what we were, Ren’wyn.I loved you—deeply—and I thought you loved metoo.”
“I did,” she admitted, caught off guard by the depth of his confession.“I still do—in some ways.But you weren’t there when I needed you.When my father sent me away to Erst, I thought I was lost.I escaped—barely—and Fael helped me survive.For the last nine months, we’ve traveled together, looking for others like us.I’m not the person I was when we were in love.I broke when you didn’tcome.”
The wistful smile vanished from Esrin’s face.His features hardened into something pained and closedoff.
“You should at least let me explain,” he said quietly.
Ren’wyn nodded, though her arms remained crossed.She would listen.
“You know I sent Bier with you,” Esrin began, his voice steady despite the emotion behind it.“I authorized him to make any offer—any amount of money, any alliance—whatever it took to secure your return.I was willing to give everything to protect you.I offered your father land, a seat among my father’s representatives.”
Ren’wyn blinked in surprise.That’s huge.Her father had never told her that.He’d only summarized the matter with‘He’s not for you’before throwing Bierout.
