Page 108 of The Dark Mage

He kissed her forehead and helped her stand, squeezing her hands gently.

“You look like you could use a rest,” he whispered.“Before we get into any trouble.”

The word hit her like a bolt.Trouble.Trouble.

His mother’s shade.

“Fael,” she began hesitantly, “I saw your mother in the Void.She asked me to bring you to her so she could tell you something.She was worried—worried about where you were, if your father had you.And… you never told me she was a berserker.”

Fael’s expression turned stony, not with anger but with reluctance.“She was,” he said finally, his tone quiet.“And she was beautiful and strong.My father was cruel and terrible.She shielded me from him at every turn, but I was always part of his plan.When he realized I carried her magic, he took me away to train and murdered her not long after.”

“She told me, ‘Not here, not now,’ but she needs to tell you something,” Ren’wyn explained.“I don’t know how she found me here.Her shade was unlike any I’ve encountered—strong-willed and talkative.It was as though she was stuck seeing you as a little boy, but she also understood you’re grown.”

Fael’s eyes widened.“What are they usuallylike?”

“Some speak a little, most not at all.I usually have to compel their stories or touch them to experience their memories.They almost never understand the passage of time, and none of them have ever resisted me when I work to compel them.She did.She was so… lifelike.Pale and thin, but not hooded or reduced to shadow.”

Fael nodded slowly, considering her description.“That sounds like my mother.She was kind, but she wasn’t quiet.Strength and fire shone in everything she did.I imagine even death would struggle to tame her.When can you take me to her, Ren’wyn?”

“I don’t know,” she admitted, shaking her head as Fael gently pushed her back onto the cot.“She said not now, and I don’t think she’ll be easy to summon.”

Fael swung her legs onto the mattress, smoothing the blanket over her.“Then rest,” he said with a soft smile, though she could see the ache in his eyes.“I promised to work with Sorya and Relya on their dagger techniques, but I’ll check on you afterward.”

“Don’t get stabbed,” Ren’wyn teased with a sly grin.“Relya’s quite the violent fighter, and I’m not sure you’d survive her stabbing you anymore.”

Fael chuckled and tucked her roughly under the blanket, trapping her arms.He kissed her firmly, and she huffed a protest.

“Have a little faith in me, Ren,” he laughed.“I’m not dying before I get another night tangled up withyou.”

Ren’wyn giggled, thrashing against the blanket in indignation.“Fael!”

He laughed again, leaning down to press his mouth close to her ear.“Later,” he rumbled, then strode out of thetent.

Ren’wyn sat in stunned silence, her cheeks burning.She didn’t know if she could sleep now—not with the thought of him lingering so vividly.But as she rolled onto her side, exhaustion overtook her, and she promptly lost consciousness.

30

The headache remained when Fael touched her cheek to wake her.He carried a full water skin, and Ren’wyn sighed with pleasure as the cool drink soothed her parched throat.

“Would you come to supper?”he asked, genuine concern softening his voice as he rubbed the back of her hand.“What are you thinking?”

“Does it hurt much?”Ren’wyn asked sleepily, her words slurring slightly.

“What?”Fael’s eyebrows rose in confusion.

“Your stab wound,” she giggled, her lips twitching into agrin.

His brows drew together in mock severity as he leaned in and kissed her until she couldn’t think.

“Someone should teach you some manners,” he murmured, a smirk on hislips.

Ren’wyn smiled lazily, her lips swollen and wet from their kiss.Whatever uncertainty had lingered earlier was now banished.She took his hand and stood.

Outside, everyone was gathered, seated for supper.Ren’wyn’s gaze softened as she noticed Lia and Avonlee sitting together.Avonlee’s arm curled protectively around Lia’s waist, and Lia’s head rested on Avonlee’s shoulder.To see what these two women had found with each other despite the pain they had endured filled Ren’wyn withjoy.

She squeezed Fael’s arm, and he followed her gaze, a soft smile spreading across his face as Avonlee planted a tender kiss on top of Lia’shead.

Fael hummed happily, leaning down to press his own kiss to Ren’wyn’s hair—but he recoiled slightly, wrinkling his nose.“Goodness, Ren, you smell atrocious.Don’t tell me you slept in the cot without bathing.We’ll never get the stenchout.”