Page 11

For four hundred years, our growing army had fought off Insidions—what Molochai’s forces called themselves.

In large cities like Tovick and Brinnea, and the Winterton Caves, Simeon’s wards were the strongest. Other places throughout each province, like smaller villages and camps deemed worthy of protection by Simeon, were reinforced only by our army’s physical forces.

I watched Finn make marks across the map he and Gemma had sketched. It took up the entirety of the small dining table. I tried to follow, bound by frustration that I barely knew what I was looking at.

“Most villages in this region,” he waved his hand over the north, “are untouched by Molochai, but only because they aren’t worth much.

Simeon doesn’t want you stopping for very long anywhere there aren’t wards.

We’ll make haste until we get to Tovick.

Smyth has a friend there who can offer us shelter. ”

Warrich had always been my home. I had never been to—and knew little about—any other province.

My knowledge of our world was limited to what Phillip had told me or I’d read about in books.

The names and climates, mostly. Southwest of Warrich was Avendrel.

Tugaf—the largest, deadliest, hottest province—was far south.

Phillip had told me a little about the dense foliage and mountains in Avendrel, the seafarers in rocky Wymara, but I could only imagine what it felt like to see it all for myself.

“We’ll travel to Tovick,” continued Gemma, “rest for a few days, then move on to Brinnea, where Simeon’s waiting for you.”

“And after Brinnea?” I asked.

“You’ll stay in Brinnea with Simeon for as long as he deems fit. Then we all go west, to the Caves.” Gemma smiled as if expecting me to share her excitement. “To take you home.”

I looked up at Smyth, towering over the table, one hand rubbing his bearded chin, expression stoic and guarded as he fixated on the map. Odd, that he was so quiet. That he let Gemma and Finn take the reins on explaining this to me while he stood back, silently assessing.

“Why doesn’t Simeon go straight to the Winterton Caves in Avendrel?” I asked. “Would that not save time? We’re adding at least three weeks to the journey when we could be at the Caves in just over a week.”

Gemma shrugged. “Simeon has his reasons. I imagine he wants time alone with his daughter first. ”

“And we listen to him without question?” I felt Smyth’s eyes dart to me when I spoke, that unfamiliar defiance settling in my chest, nagging me.

“No.” Smyth’s deep timbre sliced through me. “But you need time before you go to those caves, so we’ll go to Brinnea.”

Ultimately, I agreed. Not because Smyth said so, but because he was right. Though I was beyond nervous to meet Simeon, extra time to process, to learn and grow, felt like exactly what I needed.

Deciding to retire early, I washed up in the tub and allowed Gemma to help, if only to keep my bandaged arm from getting wet.

The goose egg on my temple was gone, bright blue-and-green hues already yellowing the edge.

Thankfully, I wasn’t concussed. That wolf had tossed me against that feed barrel with vicious fervor.

Perhaps my body was more resilient than I thought.

“Both bedrooms are open for whoever wants them.” I skirted across the floor in my slippers, old wood squeaking and settling beneath even my light weight.

Finn looked up from a book I’d read at least ten times and lifted a curious eyebrow.

“Ary,” Gemma began as I rearranged my blankets. “Maybe you should—”

“That’s where you’ve been sleeping?” Smyth snapped, eyes blazing. “On the floor?” I swear he growled . “Like a dog ?”

I nodded and rubbed at my elbow, embarrassment snaking up my spine. “I like sleeping here.”

He cursed under his breath. I couldn’t make sense of the rest of his angry grumbles, but I knew they weren’t nice.

Why did this grumpy, attractive man care where I slept?

His concern over my diet was one thing. Eating nothing but eggs and broth for three months straight was, at best, mildly concerning in any stranger’s eyes.

“You’re not sleeping on the floor. ”

“It’s okay. I’m used to it.”

“No.” His mouth pressed into a thin line. “The floor is hard and cold, even by the fire.”

“My mother didn’t mind—”

“Your mother isn’t here.”

Trepidation trickled through my veins. His intensity could eclipse anyone else within a fifty mile radius. And yet, I felt… ignited.

“Fine.” I stood and folded my hands in my lap.

“If you feel the need to make any more obtrusive demands, you know where to find me.” I turned, each step toward the bedroom requiring unreasonable effort.

The embers in my chest were not borne of anger, but fervor.

It felt good to be defended. To be cared about enough that a perceived mistreatment made him angry.

Gemma cared, but this was different. It was an unfamiliar feeling, and I liked it.

As my hand tightened firmly on the doorknob, I turned to see him studying my form with an impenetrable gaze. I swallowed down my nerves and added, “Just make sure you knock first.”

I closed the door behind me and pressed my back against it, unsure how to quell the strange, defiant excitement flickering to life inside me.

And wondered if I even wanted to.

***

An hour later, Gemma joined me in the bedroom. I’d waited for her on the bed with my bony knees tucked into my chest in a desperate attempt to comfort myself.

“You could have gone hunting with Finn today,” I sighed. “I would have been fine.”

Gemma sat behind me and brushed my hair, smoothing any knots into silver-blonde silk. “No.” She clicked her tongue twice in thought. “I wasn’t leaving you with that beast. ”

“Smyth,” I corrected her.

“Whatever,” she murmured. “He scared the hell out of me the moment he walked in the door. Didn’t bother saying hello.

Burst in, looked around, demanded to know where you were, and was back outside before I could tell him.

I’m grateful that he found you before that wolf could do you in, but I don’t trust him. ”

“He saved my life.” The words spilled out before I could stop them. Despite hardly knowing him, I felt the need to defend him.

“Yes,” she conceded. “But something’s off with him. He just spent the last hour pacing back and forth in front of the fire, ignoring me like I was nothing more than a throw pillow. I finally gave up trying to figure out what he was doing and came in here.”

“What?” My stomach burned with nervous excitement.

“Yes, and he’s probably still at it.”

I laid beside her and listened for those strong, swift footsteps. Was he still pacing? It took all my restraint not to check for myself.