Page 112 of The Poison of the Earth
“Ollie, the well,” I gasp, and I quickly run around the huge Fae. I grit my teeth and slit this throat, ending his screaming where he rolls on the ground.
“Fuck, pretty boy,” Kai’s voice is rough, “I leave for ten minutes and it all goes to shit, eh?”
But when he takes in my face, his face softens. His big hand lands on my shoulder. “You did good. You kept our girl safe.” He nods.
I turn just as Ollie drops the bucket in. “It’s done. Let’s get the fuck out of here.”
Kai and I flank her and we head back the way we came. I swear in the distance I hear some vomiting.Could it be working that fast?
I’m counting our steps, my hands sweaty as my eyes dart around, looking for danger. I feel better now that Kai is with us. We pass the first well and head back towards the copse of trees. Neither of the guards are sitting where we entered the camp and I can only hope they are off getting a drink of water.
With each pace away from camp, my shoulders hitch up and my back itches, afraid of an arrow or sword strike. It’s not until we’re well into the woods that I feel as if I can breathe again. Ollie and Kai are speaking happily. I look down, my vision fuzzy. My hands and arms are spattered in blood. That guard’s blood.
I bend over, my stomach emptying violently.
“There it is,” I hear Kai say distantly.
A hand lands on my back and another tugs my hair out of my face. I retch again, arms on my knees as I pant. I close my eyes as I spit and wipe my face.
“Thanks Ollie,” I say, turning.
I freeze. It’s Kai rubbing my back and holding my hair.
“First kill is always the hardest, Finn,” he says in his low voice. “You did good. We’re out of there. We saved many, many lives today.”
I stand upright, that statement swirling in my head.
“C’mon, back to our clearing,” Kai orders in a much gentler manner than I’ve heard him speak before.
THE FIRE IS BLAZING. Ollie holds her hands out to it. Kai didn’t think the encampment would be in much shape to be inspecting any smoke in the woods tonight. I think he’s right, if the occasional sounds carried on the wind that reach us are any indication.
Ollie is drawn, tired looking. When we had got back, she had collapsed into a little heap. Kai looked torn, wanting to warm her up and wanting to set up camp. I had waved him to her and I started rustling through my pack. During my packing time, I had had my personal servant grab a tent and some supplies. It had taken up most of the room in my pack, but I imagine for awhile at least, I won’t need any fancy outfits. The thought makes me smile.
I explained, as I set up the tent, that our griffon master loved wilderness trips and started taking me with him as soon as Mother would allow it. I don’t think he imagined me married to a rebel princess, sneaking into enemy territory but here we are.
When Ollie awoke, she practically squealed with excitement, shocked that I knew how to do something like camp. It had stung a bit, but it wasn’t misplaced.
I stir the pan of oats with a fork. “Looks done,” I say to Ollie.
“It smells good, Finn.” She licks her lips. Her magic drained her and I don’t like to see her this weakened.
I chuckle, “Well, it has no cinnamon or honey, but it’s warm. And light to pack.” I hand her pan with a cloak under it. She digs in. Kai and I watch her. His face is indulgent.
Ollie gets several forkfuls in when she looks up and sees us. “Where’s yours?” She mutters around a bite.
“We’re fine, baby,” Kai answers.
She sputters a denial, but I say, “We’ll be in the city tomorrow morning. We can handle a hungry night. But you, you need that energy restored. Eat, don’t argue, please.”
She had slammed her mouth shut, eyeing me suspiciously. She eats another bite slowly, looking between us.
“You’re nicer about it, but they are rubbing off on you already,” she murmurs.
Kai snorts but says nothing.
Ollie is falling asleep with the fork halfway to her mouth. I smile and scoot in to where she sits between Kai’s legs.
“Here, beloved,” I hum, taking the fork from her. I slowly feed her a few forkfuls. As I scoop up the last bite, she dozes off against Kai. I smile at her sleeping face fondly. I put the fork in the pan and set it aside.
