Iwoo licks his lips. “More gold.”
“I’ll handle it.” Parnon grunts and stomps toward Iwoo.
Iwoo lets out another hiss, eyes the gold, then turns and scurries down the lane.
“What sort of creature did you see?” Beth asks Parnon.
“Scorpion.” He scratches his nose. “I used to have a pet scorpion. The gremel looked like her.”
“Apetscorpion?” She frowns. “And you?” she asks Iridiel.
“A large, talking apple.” He nickers.
She leans against me. I wrap my arm around her waist. We walked for hours. A hint of pain trickles down the bond. Her feet are blistered, her back aching. I give her a touch of magic.
She moans. “I should complain about you wasting it, but that felt amazing.”
I scoop her into my arms and place her on the wagon. “Ride here and rest.”
“Aren’t you tired?” She lets me arrange some of the burlap sacks into a little nest for her.
“I’ve got stamina, little changeling.” I kiss her cheek. “You’d do well to remember that.”
“Mmm. Xalana likey.” Her eyes are already closed.
Can a person die of love? Of bursting from it? Because when I look down at her, I feel it swell up inside me. The feeling is so huge that it seems impossible for me to contain it. But I do. I drop another kiss on her hair.
“How much farther?” I help Chastain gather up some of the gold pieces.
“This incline begins the exit to the mines.” He swipes a plate and stuffs it into the pack. “We kept a slower pace so you two could catch up, but we’re ready to make good time.”
“Thank you.” I offer my hand.
He grips my forearm and smiles. “Don’t spoil me with this mutual respect business. I’ve finally gotten used to you barely tolerating me, and now this.”
I shake my head. “I can be a little—”
“Gruff, stoic, angry, severe, grumpy?” Iridiel volunteers.
I shoot him a glare. “I’m reserved.”
“Don’t fret over it.” Chastain hands the bag of gold to Baralja as he and some of the other former slaves collect the rest. “I know you only have a soft spot for one person.” He glances at Beth. “Nothing wrong with that.”
“She’s certainly changed me.” I relish the feeling of my connection to her. “For the better.”
“Silmaran did the same.” His silver eyes dim for only a second.
“You’ll be back with her soon.” I squeeze his forearm and let go. “Perhaps even with an army at your back.”
“From your lips to the Ancestors’ ears.” He grins. “I think that would definitely get me in her good graces.” He whistles. “Let’s move, everyone. We’ll be at the mines before nightfall.”
Iridiel stamps and snorts. “I don’t like it.”
“What?” I walk over to him and tighten the saddle. “You want to stay in the Abyss?”
“The gremel. I don’t like it.”
“I didn’t like it either, but it got Beth and me here. We made good on our deal. And it’s gone.” I put a foot in the stirrup and climb up. “Let’s ride behind the wagon so I can keep an eye on Beth.” She sleeps peacefully, one arm slung across her eyes.
