Drown me.
“I, uh…”
Lark reaches a hand toward me. “Come here.”
Gingerly, I mince forward and let him take my hand.
“Were you there, Val? Is that what you’re trying to say?”
“I was…nearby.”
“I’m sorry. That was the scary fire incident you mentioned, wasn’t it?”
“It was terrifying. Of course, I had no way of knowing it was mostly illusion magic.Storms, I’m so gullible.”
“Val…”
“No, it’s fine. I’m fine now. Why did you do it, though? At least tell me that.”
His thumb strokes slow arcs over my hand held in his. It’s soothing, and my heart rate slows. “It was a job. The troupe was paid to stage a distraction; that’s all I know. There wasn’t any real danger, but I’m sorry it scared you. I didn’t knowyouwould be there. We were just supposed to scare the huntsmen.”
“It worked. A little too well.” I swallow hard, but a squeeze from his hand on mine calms me.
At the time, it felt like the worst thing that had ever happened to me. That day ended everything I knew. I thought my life was over.
But haven’t I found so much more out here than I ever did inside the palace walls? I thought that day was so terrible, but I’ve seen suffering much worse out here, yet I also see joy, and hope, and resilience.
If the carriage hadn’t been attacked, I would be dead by Beron’s axe by now. Really, the way things have turned out, I should thank Lark and his troupe.
“I’m sorry.” He says it so quietly, so earnestly, I almost forgive him on the spot.
“Um…” Katja’s voice startles me. I forgot she was here. “Does that mean I can heal his leg now?”
“Storms! Yes. I’m sorry, Lark. I didn’t mean to…”
He grins at me, dimple popping. “Seems like the least I deserved.”
Tension eases from his brow as she sprinkles healing dust and works her magic. The air smells faintly of lavender, and Lark breathes a sigh of relief as she finishes and he thanks her. Together, we help him stand.
He winces as soon as he puts weight on his leg, but a few tentative steps later, he stands in front of me and ruffles Eevi’s hair. She woke up during the run, but never fussed once while we dealt with Lark, seeming to grasp the seriousness. Now she coos at him, earning one of his bright smiles.
It puts my heart at ease.
He’s okay. They’re all okay.
Hugo grunts his own appreciation, then scrambles up my leg to my pocket. Lark only raises a brow and then shrugs. I feel like I’ve been bestowed with a great honor, carrying both his baby and his pet.
“I can use dust to levitate you back,” Katja offers him.
“No, Doc. You’ve done enough. Don’t exhaust yourself.”
“But I can help.”
He smiles at her. “You already have. Don’t waste more dust on me. There are enough people in this world who’d want to take advantage of you, kiddo. I won’t be one of them.”
She frowns.
I step in. “Then you can at least lean on me.”
