Daris stopped a few steps away. Terena reached up to smooth her hair. Her smile became reserved when she looked at Daris, who smiled back at her with as much affection as he would give a tree. She raised her eyebrows but looked past him to see the other Liodari, who were both smiling in relief.
“You’re looking much better,” Rydon said, moving to the end of the couch when Terena motioned for him to sit. Gabriol moved in closer and perched on the arm. Daris remained standing near Gabriol as he watched her, his face unreadable.
“I feel a thousand times better,” she said, looking at Rydon. “They gave me a tonic made from your blood, so that was weird.”
He threw his head back and laughed. “Aye, it was weird for me when it revived you.” He patted her knee. “But I’m glad you feel better.”
Daris shifted, his eyes moving to Rydon. Terena saw the tension between the men and shot Rydon a quizzical look. He shook his head imperceptibly.
“Oh!” she exclaimed and laid her hand over Rydon’s as she recalled, “What happened to the fangs? Did you?—”
“I have them,” Daris said in a soft voice.
Rydon snorted. “Of course you do.”
Terena shifted her gaze to Daris then. Heat crept up his cheeks, and he looked at Rydon like he wanted to rip his head off.
“I was asking Croak what happened after Bethana tried to eat me, but maybe I can get the actual story from one of you?” Terena asked with a grin, looking at the three men.
“Not much to tell,” Daris said, and Terena saw Rydon scowl. “I grabbed you and ran the hell out of there. Found everyone else shortly after and we rode like the Furies were after us. Melanos took care of your wounds.”
“Well, thank you for getting me out of there,” Terena said sincerely. Daris ducked his head.
Rydon snorted. Again.
Terena looked between the two. “What’s going on with you two?”
Rydon looked confused. Daris shrugged. Terena looked to Gabriol for help, but his only response was to widen his eyes.
“Fine,” Terena murmured. “Help me up,” she said to Rydon.
“Are you sure you should?” Gabriol asked, waving a hand at her. “You were almost Bethana’s dinner.”
“I need to get up,” she said with a shrug. “My body’s too stiff lying in bed so much.”
Rydon gave Daris a look, and the man moved back. Gabriol stood and backed away as well.
“Hey,” she whispered to Rydon when he bent close, “did he say anything about what happened in there? In the cave, with Bethana.”
Rydon nodded tersely. “Aye. And then Melanos told them everything.”
Terena cringed. “Great. Now everyone knows, right?”
He nodded again.
Terena sighed. “Do I need to worry?”
Rydon sat down at her side again and leaned in, his face earnest. “Not from us, Ren. And if he tries anything…”
Terena shook her head. “He won’t. I know he won’t. But I’m not worried about him, so much as I worry about his king. Altos might try to use the knowledge for his own purposes if Daris or the others tell him.” She leaned closer. “We need to get those fangs back to him and get Sonah so we can head north as soon as possible. It’ll take us months as it is, so we’re already losing time.”
“I know it,” Rydon snarled.
He made to stand again when Terena stopped him. “What’s going on with you?”
“Just watching your back,” he said. Then he looked over at Daris and dropped his head.
“Listen,” he said as he turned back to her. “We need to talk. When you’re feeling up to it.”
