“Oh, Damien,” Bri purred. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
Chapter Six
Isla
Islastoodinfrontof a small log cabin, where a potted plant sat in the sun outside the door and the smell of cooking meat wafted through the air. Hamil lived alone in the cozy two-room home, which was always surprisingly well kept. Despite the cold morning air, her hands were clammy and hot as she twisted them together, working up the courage to knock on his door. The incident at the bar played on repeat in her head and made her feel worse and worse by the second. But no matter what was going on between them at the moment, Hamil deserved to know what had happened to Arden and where she would be for the next several days.
“Pull it together,” she muttered as she gently rapped on the front door.
There was a grunt followed by the clatter of something being set down on a hard surface. After a moment, the door opened to reveal a very shirtless Hamil.
Isla’s eyes widened. This was…not helping things. She blushed and quickly looked away.
“Isla? What are you doing here?” he asked, clearing his throat and shifting uncomfortably. It sent a sharp pang through her to see him so visibly unsettled.
“Hi. Well, umm, I’m sorry to bother you. I know it’s early, and we haven’t talked in a while, but…something happened.”
He stiffened, all signs of awkwardness vanishing. “Are you alright? Did someone hurt you? What’s wrong?” he asked, gripping her shoulders and pulling her inside.
“No, no, I’m fine.” She shook her head. “It’s Papa and Arden. They were attacked near Aataran and some merchants passing by took them in. They’re recovering in Krill, but Papa…he’s not in good shape, Ham. I—I don’t know if he’ll make it.” It was the first time she had said it aloud, and it was like opening up a chamber to her heart that had been bolted shut. She swallowed thickly and stared down at her hands before Hamil’s arms encircled her, holding her to his bare chest.
“It’s okay, princess. He’ll be okay. It will be okay,” he kept repeating, trying to soothe her as she began crying.
She hadn’t shed any tears before this, but his attempt to comfort pushed her over the edge. She let him hold her for a few seconds before pulling away and wiping the tears from her eyes, meeting his concerned stare. “I’m going to Krill with Bri and the men who found them. I can’t leave Papa like that, and if he doesn’t recover…” She took a shuddering breath. “Anyway, I wanted to let you know so you don’t worry about us.”
“I always worry about you,” Hamil said softly, wiping a stray tear from her face.
Isla bit the inside of her cheek and leaned back. She wasn’t ready to handle the intimacy of the moment and how it meant different things to them both. Everything had gotten so complicated so quickly. All she wanted was to get to her father and take care of him.
Hamil must have seen her emotions flit across her face because he dropped his hand and nodded. “Do you want me to come with you? I don’t know how I feel about you going off with strange men you’ve never met before,” he said warily.
She smiled. “You sound like Bri.”
“For once, she and I are the responsible ones.”
“Thank you, Ham, but you don’t need to do that. I honestly trust these men. And you can’t just pick up and leave; you have things to take care of here. I don’t even know how long we’ll be gone.”
He twisted his lips, the muscles of his jaw twitching. Then his shoulders fell slightly in resignation; her mind couldn’t be changed if her family was involved, and he knew it. He gave her his “protective brother” look as he launched into a speech like he was sending her off to war.
“Alright. Did you bring extra food? What about weapons? You brought your bow, right? Don’t hesitate to take them out if they so much as lay a finger on you,” he growled. “And bring our boys home, okay?” He pulled her into a fierce hug.
“I will,” she whispered. Because she didn’t know what she would do if she didn’t.
On their way out of the village, their small group stopped by the Harvishes shop on the main street to let Bri’s mother and stepfather know where she would be. Her mother ran the town’s bookshop, a quaint brick building filled floor to ceiling with all manner of books. Ancient texts, historical collections from the three kingdoms, maps and diaries and hunting journals. And, of course, a multitude of fiction novels that Isla and Bri frequently explored. One of their favorite activities was to come to the bookshop and curl up on one of the many mismatched couches with hot cider and a good book. Isla stuck mainly to fantasies of magical kingdoms, young love, and happily ever afters. Bri was more of a mood reader; one day she would be lost in a biography of an Evonlean architect from two hundred years ago, and the next she’d insist on reading aloud from a particularly graphic love scene that made Isla’s ears turn red.
Bri was a woman of many tastes.
And she was a passionate dreamer. Isla would catch her best friend getting lost in her books, her eyes brightening and a smile involuntarily spreading across her features like a spark igniting into a flame. Whether it was a tale of dangerous quests and magic or a guide to the amazing sights of the world, Bri’s eyes could never hide her longing to travel beyond their small town. Another way she and Isla were opposite, and yet fit together perfectly.
After a lengthy interrogation of August and Damien by Bri’s stepfather and an extra bag with food and jars of cider from her mother, they were finally on their way to Krill.
A tingle ran down Isla’s spine as they passed the main square and its fountain with the statue of the God of Air. The depiction of the solemn, intense being drew her attention yet again. Her eyes automatically sought out his face, as if she could find answers in his sharp jawline and quiet strength.
Her gaze made its way back to Bri, who rode with Damien on his warmblood, Grey. The look on Damien’s face alternated between elation and pure terror at his luck of having someone like Bri riding with him. Isla snorted every time she looked over at him.
She knew they had a long day ahead of them, but Auggie was an entertaining riding companion and helped distract her from her frozen fingers and stiff back by regaling her with stories of his life after he moved from Karstos to Evonlea. As she listened, she couldn’t help sneaking glances at Bri and noticing that she and Damien were becoming very friendly with one another. She caught many loud giggles and lingering touches.
So much for “sick men and murderers,”Isla thought with a chuckle.
