Aloisia puffed out a sigh, holding her head in her palms. “I can’t let this be his fate.”
“And you will not.” Inari brushed her hair back from her face, his hand stilling to cup the back of her head.
Aloisia froze under his touch. Her cheeks flushed as she noticed his proximity to her, his thigh pressed against hers, his fingers in her hair.
“There is a strength in you,” he continued, “a determination to see this to the end. Thus far, you have stepped towards the truth without hesitation. If you continue to do so, you will find it. And you do not seem like a quitter to me.”
Aloisia raised her head, meeting Inari’s gaze. His words recalled what Tristan had said to her about running headfirst into danger. As a huntress, it was her instinct. Maybe Inari was right, and it would be more a help than a hinderance.
Inari traced one of her braids. “You’re wearing the bead I gave you.”
“Of course. I thought it might be good luck, since it means ‘success’.”
“Do you believe that?”
She looked down at the bead. “No. But it’s a nice sentiment all the same.”
Inari chuckled softly.
“Perhaps you should wear it for the meeting tomorrow.”
“I have plenty of runes to see me through the meeting.” He grinned. “Not that I think it would improve their impression of me.”
“Hopefully they will let go of any preconceived notions they have of you.”
“I am sure the priest and priestess have already branded me a heathen, so let’s not get our hopes too high.”
“You’re right. Expect the worst, and you will never be surprised. Right?”
“Now you’re getting it.”
Aloisia laughed. “Why live by such words? What is the logic?”
Inari turned away, a shadow falling over his features. “Let’s just say when the worst happens, and one is not prepared for it, it is as if the world falls from beneath you. At least if you are prepared, there is something to hold on to.”
She leant forward, trying to study what little of his expression she could see in the firelight. Though she wanted to push him further, to know what his ‘worst’ was, to know what had brought him here, she thought better of it. Thus far, pushing him had only resulted in him taking several steps back.
“I suppose it makes sense,” she conceded, absently tracing the bandage across her palm.
Inari watched her for a long moment before covering her hand with his, stilling her fingers. “There are answers to be found. He is not yet lost. And neither are you.”
Drawing back, Aloisia wrapped her arms about herself. “I hope so.”
She wanted nothing more than to find the truth behind Brighde’s death. But there was also the fear of what would be uncovered.
Who had brought forth the Forgotten Gods and why?
Would Brighde’s markings give them any indication of the truth beneath it all?
What would be their next move if they did not?
Aloisia did not want to consider it. With no further information, Fynn would soon be lost for good.
TWENTY TWO
WhenAloisiaawokethenextmorning,Inariwasnotasleeponthelogbenchwhereshehadlastseenhim.Infact,hewasnotinherhomeatall.Panicroseinher.
If he had left, if he had changed his mind…
