Page 54 of The Dark Mage

E veryone rested during the following week, taking solace in one another’s company.

On the first night home, Ren’wyn watched as Avonlee quietly slipped into Lia’s tent.

She never left, retrieving meals for them both and staying by Lia’s side day and night.

By the second day, Avonlee had moved her belongings into Lia’s tent.

Soft feminine murmurs and weeping could be heard throughout the day.

Caring for Lia seemed to strengthen Avonlee, and her growing confidence encouraged Lia in turn.

Under Avonlee’s watchful eye, Ren’wyn finally cleaned and patched Lia’s injuries.

Although addressing them sooner might have prevented some minor scarring, Ren’wyn sighed with relief that she was able to treat several early infect ions.

Ren’wyn slept more than she thought possible, spending her waking hours teaching Avonlee and Relya how to apply antibiotic salves and administer pain relief.

Relya, her gentle hands belying her gritted teeth, worked with fierce concentration as she learned all she could while caring for Sorya. Her focused rage was unmistak able.

Thankfully, it was the perfect task for a woman in need of rest, and Ren’wyn appreciated the relief of the new herbs she purchased at apothecary. Fael sweetly checked in with her on the worst days, making sure she had everything she need to be comfort able.

Irik trained with Fael, Miguel, or Leta, his eyes dark and haunted.

At the first opportunity, Ren’wyn pulled him aside with Esrin, and the two recounted the story of Alen’s shade.

They assured Irik that Alen had been both settled and avenged.

Irik spent a long time alone in his tent after that, emerging with red-rimmed eyes.

In the days that followed, he thanked them profu sely.

Ren’wyn also took the opportunity to thank Esrin for the gift of his power.

Despite the tension following his harsh words to Fael, things felt easier between them now.

She hugged him, remembering the delight of a thousand tiny stars veiled by night and the flaming shadows spreading on his wind.

For a long moment, they held hands and exchanged a look—Ren’wyn’s smile warm with gratitude, Esrin’s gaze unread able.

When he reached to tuck a lock of her hair behind her ear, she didn’t stop him, recognizing the gesture from their time together. His touch didn’t spark her desire, but she squeezed his hands affectiona tely.

“Wait,” he said, holding her hands. “I was scared after what you did in the camp. I said things I shouldn’t have. I’m sorry. You’re good, and we’re unbelievably lucky to have you.”

His words brought a blush to her cheeks, and she smiled gratefully. Exhaustion tugged at her again, and she excused herself, nodding before heading to her bed roll.

The camp soon found a new rhythm, and Ren’wyn and Fael became an integral part of it.

Avonlee and Lia began to leave their tent for short periods, joining the group for supper.

Avonlee’s slender arm remained wrapped tightly around Lia’s shoulders, and though no one commented on their arrival, plates of food were passed their way, and the group shifted slightly to include them in the conversa tion.

Sorya and Relya spent their days with Ren’wyn, who guided them through the basics of herb identification and preparation.

She explained the camp’s stock and how to make teas, tonics, and poultices for various injuries and illnesses.

It was a welcome distraction for both twins, and Relya quietly thanked Ren’wyn afterward.

They also resumed self-defense training, and Sorya’s intense focus with dagger and fist sent a shiver down Ren’wyn’s s pine.

Ren’wyn’s body healed, and the presence of her newfound friends and the mending fractures between her and Esrin renewed her spirit.

She spent time with everyone in the camp—learning new dagger techniques from Leta, watching Miguel patch clothing, and sitting by the fire with Esrin as he outlined his vision for traveling to Riva and An duan.

Esrin mentioned that he had exchanged letters with Peria and that Zev had learned during his last trip that Peria was slated to join the Council. Esrin planned to see if she was still interested in working against the empire. Ren’wyn smiled, already knowing Peria would join them.

“When will he return?” she asked. “Zev, I mean. He’s turned into an almost mythical figure in my mind.”

Esrin chuckled. “Any day now, I hope. He’s been gathering supporters and intelligence in Kareht. If I know him and his methods, that work is long compl eted.”

“Persuasive, then?” Ren’wyn asked, intri gued.

“Surprisingly so. Also terrifying, as wights usually are,” Esrin replied. Tossing her an apple as he rose, he added, “I’m going to spar with Wilenrut. Get some more rest.”

Ren’wyn watched Esrin leave and saw Fael outside the tent.

He winked playfully before heading toward the woods.

Their nights, though spent in each other’s arms, remained platonic.

Ren’wyn wished they could make love again, but the snores of their companions in nearby tents made privacy impossible.

Fael’s gentlemanly restraint—kissing her breathless but going no further—was both endearing and frustrating.

She loved waking to find him on his bedroll below her cot but ached for the intimacy she hoped they wouldn’t have to delay much lo nger.

Zev returned the next evening, leading a giant black horse.

He was striking—one of the most beautiful human beings Ren’wyn had ever seen.

His angular features complemented his slender, muscular frame.

Black hair shone in the firelight, curling around his neck and ears, while long black lashes framed his dark brown eyes.

His russet-brown skin appeared smooth and flawless, leaving Ren’wyn to wonder if his magic enhanced his appearance or if he had simply been born that beaut iful.

Lia stepped out to greet him with a warm smile, showing no hesitation as she accepted his embrace. Esrin took Ren’wyn by the hand, pulling her over for an introduction. He clapped Zev on the back before drawing him into an almost crushing hug.

“Good to see you, friend,” Zev said with a soft, rolling voice, like waves on water. His gaze shifted to Ren’wyn, and his expression emptied. “A dark mage. The dark mage,” he rema rked.

“Zev, this is Ren’wyn,” Esrin said. Zev’s eyebrows rose as he studied her.

“You saved her?” Zev a sked.

“She saved herself,” Esrin rep lied.

Ren’wyn turned away but couldn’t see Fael anywhere. He could still be caught up in the forest. Turning back to Zev, she said, “Actually, it was a joint effort with Fael. He helped me escape, and we traveled together for nine months before meeting Esrin. Fael is mine, and I am his.”

Her quiet but clear declaration didn’t alter Zev’s expression. His lack of reaction—neither surprise nor anger—was as unsettling as Ren’wyn remembered from dealing with wights during sc hool.

Fael appeared on the edge of camp, running his fingers through wet curls.

Ren’wyn felt a little dizzy as he strode across the open ground toward her.

His fighting leathers stretched over his lean legs, and his shirt sleeves were rolled up, exposing strong forearms. Irik followed behind him, the two sharing a quiet word and a laugh before Irik caught sight of Zev.

With a surprised grin, Irik crossed straight over, pulling Zev into a brief but genuine embrace.

Zev returned it, clasping Irik’s forearm as they separ ated.

“Glad to see you back,” Irik said with a smile, and Zev no dded.

Fael placed a kiss on Ren’wyn’s forehead, carrying the scent of woods and river water. He must have bathed after sparring. He had no right to look so attractive, Ren’wyn thought, though her coiling stomach suggested other wise.

With an arm around Ren’wyn’s waist, Fael stepped forward to grip Zev’s forearm. “We finally meet,” he said, grinning. “Your reputation is as enigmatic as your magic, Zev. Welcome back to camp.”

Zev’s steady gaze swept over Fael, his face revealing nothing of his thoughts. Ren’wyn shivered, but Fael’s grin remained unsh aken.

“I’m starving,” Fael said, squeezing Ren’wyn’s waist. “What’s for supper, E srin?”

Ren’wyn gaped as Esrin chuckled at the joke, and together, they walked toward the fire.

Zev remained standing through supper, as though his otherworldly presence made the act of sitting too normal for him. His quiet detachment lingered, but from time to time, the corners of his mouth quirked up, betraying moments of enjoyment among his companions, even as he never fully rel axed.

Ren’wyn felt the Void’s pull, almost as though it yearned to touch him.

At school, the wights had always been secretive, vanishing into the fabric of the world with practiced stillness.

Their invisibility never bothered the Masters, who simply asked that they remain visible during lessons, but to Ren’wyn, it was unsettling.

The Void was visible and tangible to her, but wights could disappear so completely that only the faintest whisper of their aura remained.

She hated feeling judged and had tried to give her classmates the benefit of the doubt, but it was still uncomfortable, knowing someone was there, watching, but un seen.

Zev exuded that preternatural stillness built during years of discipline and persistent training. Ren’wyn realized he was older than she had first assumed—older than anyone in the group except for Sorya and Relya, and he gravitated toward Esrin with a quiet, strange affec tion.