Page 47 of Somewhere down the Ley Line
He should not be smiling. He definitely should not be laughing. But he couldn’t help it – it was better than acknowledging any of the other, much more complicated emotional responses to her request. “I get it, Isa,” he said, “but I think this is not the right time.”
Her brow furrowed, and she glared at him with all the strength she looked like she could muster. “Don’t laugh at me, Felix,” she mumbled, her eyelids drooping again.
“I’m not laughing at you,” he said, tucking her blanket back around her.
“Yes, you are,” she muttered. She forced her eyes open. “Why don’t you smile more? I like it when you smile…” Her voice faded, and she slipped back into sleep.
He sat and stared at her for what might have been seconds, or hours. Then he stood and made his way to the door, opening it to the main room. His feet felt unusually light, and he knew he was smiling like an idiot.
Luella jumped to her feet the moment she saw him. “Is she awake?”
“For a few minutes,” he said, leaning against the doorframe. “But she’s… not entirely in her right mind.”
Luella frowned and pushed past him into the bedroom, Felix trailing behind. She knelt by Isolde’s bedside, checking her pulse and brushing a hand against her forehead. Isolde’s eyes fluttered open, and she blinked blearily at Luella, studying her for a moment.
“Luella…” she murmured, her voice slow and sleepy, “why won’t Felix kiss me?”
Luella froze mid-motion. Slowly, she turned her head to Felix, glaring daggers at him.
Felix raised his hands in mock surrender, a grin plastered on his face. “I told you. Not in her right mind.”
“Indeed,” Luella replied, her tone icy. She stood, brushing imaginary dust off her clothes. “Completely delirious.” She left the bedroom, and Felix followed.
Before either of them could comment on the situation, the cabin door opened and Garren walked in. His eyes fell on the open bedroom, and he went inside to check on Isolde. Felix watched him bend down by the bed for a few moments, then abruptly stand up, spin around and stride back into the main room, closing the door behind him.
Garren pointed an accusing finger at Felix. “What did you do?”
“I did nothing, Garren.”
“She told me to go away, and that she only wants to seeyou.What did you do?”
Felix leaned his face in his hands, shaking with the kind of laughter only the truly exhausted can produce.
“Consider yourself lucky she only talked aboutseeing,”Luella commented dryly.
Garren grumbled, then seated himself at the table.
“Don’t tell her when she wakes up, when she’s… back to herself.” Felix said more seriously.
Luella nodded without looking at him. “Not a word.”
Felix stared at the bedroom door. It was a terrible idea to continue down this path. Isolde deserved better. Someone less emotionally stunted, who didn’t instinctively clock every exit in a room in case things went sideways. Someone who hadn’t agreed tokill her,if it came to that. If there was no other way. He sighed deeply. Luella gave him a wry look.
Who was he kidding? It would take a much better man than him to walk away. That man didn’t seem to be here right now. Just him, idiot that he was.
“We need to leave,” Garren said, interrupting his thoughts and changing the subject. “Once Lady Isolde can ride, or ride double if needed. With me or Luella,” he added, glaring at Felix.
Felix ignored the last comment. “I agree. The Duskrend will regroup and come after us again.” That bastard Alwin would not give up. He wanted to be as far away from here as possible, as soon as possible.
“Have either of you seen Leif?” Felix asked.
“Outside his cabin,” Garren said. “Head left from here.”
Felix nodded in thanks and got up to go see how his favourite hunting partner was doing.
***
He found Leif where Garren had said he would be, sitting on a bench. When he spotted Felix, he scooted over to make space for him.
