“So, tell us this story.” Ander didn’t look at me; he was fixed on Fieran. “How did the mortal save you tonight?”
Fieran launched into a very dramatic—and unapologetically embellished—account of how I had apparently saved his life with my clever heroics.
I arched my brows at the tale, and so did Maura, sitting across from me.
Anayla said, “Well, thank you for looking after his life. He does a poor job valuing it himself, and we need him.”
“And how did you find this enterprising mortal?” Ander leaned back in his chair, one arm slung over the chair back. He hadn’t looked my way all night. It was strange.
“She fought off the wyrms all on her own,” Fieran began, clearly ready to tell that tale again too.
“Wyrms?” I asked. “Plural, now?”
Analyn grinned, amused. But no one stopped Fieran from telling the story yet again; I wasn’t sure anyone could have.
Fieran came across as brash and cocky, but he seemed to brag about my exploits more than his own. My cheeks heated as he quoted quips from me that were the kind of thing I came up with in the middle of a sleepless night rather than on the spot.
I sank down in my chair and decided to distract myself with thepotted chocolate cream and berries on the table, but I couldn’t help smiling around the spoon at the praise in Fieran’s voice.
Ander finally looked at me, and I felt an unexpected jolt as his gaze met mine.
“Yes, she’s astonishing,” Maura deadpanned when Fieran wound up the tale. “Might we discuss the logistics of tomorrow before we separate for the night?”
“Of course,” Fieran said, and the two clans launched into a discussion of the next day’s efforts that I barely understood, with talk of wardstones and navigating the cave system to ensure there were no unattended rips.
I yawned, listening to their discussion, their banter, their plans for another death-defying day in the morning.
There was no point in me being here. There never really had been one.
“I should go,” I said.
“I’ll walk you home,” Fieran said.
“There’s no need,” I told him. “I know I don’t have to worry about more monsters escaping tonight. I’ve walked home at night for years without you.”
Anayla’s lips formed a little O over her wine, as she traded a look with Maura. I hadn’t meant to insult him.
“You have work to do.” It was time to go. I felt a wistful urge to belong, but I never would. Lingering would only hurt.
If the shifters had seen my mark, would they even let me go? I should be running away. That would be wise. So why did I finger the stem of my wineglass, lingering as if I were waiting for something. I stood, the movement feeling sudden and abrupt.
Fieran was on his feet too.
“She’s right,” Maura told him firmly. “You don’t know what it was like down there. It’s a massive system of caves.”
“All right,” Fieran agreed. “We’ll plan tomorrow’s work.”
But still, as I crossed the worn wooden floorboards, he followed me. He swung open the oak door before I could, letting in the soft night air. I stepped outside, feeling a tingle at the back of my neck that had to bemy imagination. I hurried down the steps, tugging the fabric at my throat again to be sure my neck was hidden.
He held out the cloak. “You can keep it.”
“Don’t you need it?” I still gripped the collar of his tunic in a white-knuckled grip that was not normal. “I’m wearing your shirt.”
“I have others,” he promised.
“He just chooses not to wear them!” Maura called. “He knows he looks far more admirable without one!”
He smiled faintly and stepped down from the doorway, closing the door behind him. Their voices and laughter faded, though the warmth of the scene inside still spilled through the windows.
