Page 66 of The Dark Mage

It was the first time they had been truly alone in days. As he swam closer, Ren’wyn couldn’t help but admire the definition of his chest and shoulders, her cheeks growing warmer. Fael’s knowing smile wid ened.

But his tone grew serious, and he asked, “Are you all right? Talk t o me.”

Ren’wyn stared at the yellow and purple blooms along the bank, gathering her thoughts.

“I will be,” she admitted softly. “I hate that I couldn’t save the boy.

And I killed so many people, Fael. They begged me to stop.

I don’t know if they were all complicit in the torture of those boys or if some of them were forced into service.

I don’t know if they all deserved to die.

” Her voice broke. “I’ve always killed in self-defense. This time, it was anger and rev enge.”

“I know what that feels like.” His voice was low, heavy with understanding.

“I’m a creature of anger, Ren. I’ve killed more people than deserved it.

What’s done is done, but the fact that it haunts you proves you’re more compassionate than most. You’re still yourself, even if it doesn’t feel that way.

” He hesitated, glancing away, his voice rough as he added, “The boy… that part I understand too. Death isn’t simple, but you kept him from more suffering.

You gave him peace, love, and dignity in his last moments.

None of that would have happened if he’d died in the cart. ”

Ren’wyn let his words settle over her, a balm for her grief. He was right. The boy hadn’t been alone; Fael had kept her steady, and together, they had carried his suffering. But there was still so much anger boiling inside her.

“I still hate them all,” she admitted, pressing her palms to her eyes. The war inside her felt unbearable, her fury and her disgust with herself tearing he r up.

“Me too,” Fael said gruffly. “To harm chil dren…”

Silence stretched out, one that carried their mutual pain.

“Don’t shut me out again,” he finally said, his voice raw. He swam closer, gripping her chin firmly but tenderly. “I couldn’t bear it. When you blocked me out, it felt like part of me died. The helplessness… it tore me a part.”

“I’m sorry,” Ren’wyn whispered, seeing the vulnerability in his eyes. “I just wanted to protect you.”

His expression softened, and the corner of his mouth tilted up in a small, sad smile. “I hated it, but I understand. Just, please—try not to do it a gain?”

Ren’wyn nodded, though she knew she would make the same choice if it meant keeping Fael safe.

Fael’s powerful arms broke the water’s surface as he swam closer, a mischievous glint returning to his eyes.

“You know,” he said, his voice gravelly, “when I think back to that night… you were a goddess. Death given human form. It was terrifying. And incredible. And when you take my power like that…”

He trailed off as he reached her, pulling her into a rough, searing kiss. Ren’wyn melted into his embrace, her head resting against his chest as the cool current swirled around them. Fael wrapped his arms around her, nestling her onto his legs as they sat in the stream toge ther.

For a long while, they simply held one another, letting the water wash over them. In the quiet, they found a fragile sense of peace, their love a comfort for wounds too deep to heal in a single mo ment.

They were relieved to ride into camp on the third day, learning that Miguel’s group had arrived a few hours earlier.

Leta informed them that the little druid boy was in terrible pain but would live.

Without hesitation, Ren’wyn headed straight to where she heard his faint cries, pausing only to grab her supp lies.

Sorya’s face was tight with concern as Ren’wyn entered the tent. “I’m not sure what else to do for him,” she whispered, her voice raw with w orry.

Ren’wyn nodded, mentally calculating the correct blend of herbs for the empath’s size.

She quickly mixed a tea for sedation and pain relief.

As if summoned by her thoughts, Fael appeared in the doorway, carrying hot water, clean linen, and a mug.

Without a word, he set them down and slipped out of the tent, careful not to startle the boy.

Ren’wyn steeped the herbs in the hot water, the fragrant steam curling into the air.

With Sorya’s help, she applied salve to the burns crisscrossing the boy’s small, fragile body.

He screamed and thrashed, his magic uncontrolled, and both women fought the fear and pain his power created in them, holding him gently but fi rmly.

“I know it hurts,” Ren’wyn said softly, fighting the empathic emotions to soothe the boy as she brought the tea to his lips. “But this will help the pain go away.”

He was brave, drinking the entire mug with only a few drops spilled. Within ten minutes, his small frame relaxed, and he drifted into s leep.

Sorya stayed by the boy’s side, stroking his hair, while Relya, Lia, and Avonlee offered to take shifts.

Ren’wyn smiled when Avonlee shooed the men away, her determination unwavering.

Esrin’s annoyed expression at being excluded made Ren’wyn laugh even harder.

It felt good—so good —to be back among her friends, surrounded by the camaraderie and warmth of their commu nity.

The healing she and Fael had begun with words and touch seemed to extend outward, mending wounds far beyond their own.

Lia’s bleeding had finally come, and both she and Avonlee were visibly relieved. After checking in on them, Ren’wyn made her way to the fire, where Fael and Miguel were recounting the events of the last week.

Despite the horror and loss, they had done good. They had saved the empath, brought peace to the berserker boy, secured valuable supplies, and ended a cruel band of sold iers.

As she listened, Ren’wyn approached Fael, placing her hands on his broad shoulders.

He leaned back instinctively, and she pressed her fingers into his muscles, kneading away the tension there.

She smiled at how he relaxed beneath her touch, his smoky scent wrapping around her like a comforting emb race.

“We’ll stay here for a bit longer,” Esrin announced, addressing the group around the fire. “Summer is passing, and it’s time to plan our next big move. The robbery added enough supplies to see us through winter. I’m hopeful we’ll be able to strategize the next stage toge ther.”

As Esrin spoke, Ren’wyn glanced around the circle. She was struck—not for the first time—by how much it meant to be valued equally among her male companions. The realization swelled in her chest, an intense appreciation that nearly overwhelmed her.

Being included in Esrin’s plans and trusted with responsibilities—it was changing her. It was as vital as the equality Fael offered her in their relationship, and her gratitude bubbled up like a spring inside her.

Fael must have felt the shift in her mood because his hands reached up to cover hers on his shoulders. He tilted his head back, his warm eyes meeting hers.

“Anything wrong?” he asked so ftly.

“No,” she replied with a smile. Her voice was steady, but the emotions stirring within her made her chest feel tight. “No, I’m just realizing things are right for once.”

When she glanced up, she saw the others had heard her. Esrin was smiling—a rare and genuine expression that made her blink back sudden tears. It was almost too much, and she bent to press a kiss to the top of Fael’s head.

“I think I might finally be able to rest,” she admitted sheepishly, not wanting to seem weak.

“Rest well, little mage,” Zev said ge ntly.

The affectionate nickname made her break into another smile. She gave Fael’s shoulders one last squeeze before heading toward her tent, feeling lighter than she had in days.