Stepping closer, Jade took in the girl’s copper hair and porcelain skin, her bright green eyes and freckles dotting her nose and cheeks. There was a nasty gash on the left side of her face that looked as if it had recently been stitched. Instead of marring her complexion, it only made her look fiercer. Stronger. There was uncertainty in Isla’s eyes, along with a hint of challenge and defiance that Jade grudgingly admired.
“So, what did you do to get his attention?” Jade jerked her head to Rynn.
Isla blinked and pink crawled across her neck, which was more of an answer than words could ever give.
Jade knew she was not giving a welcoming first impression, but she had learned a long time ago not to get too close to people. She had a feeling that if she let herself, she would like this Isla girl too much. And that never ended well between immortals and humans.
“Not now, Jade,” Rynn warned.
“We’ve been looking everywhere for you! Is this where you woke up?” Kai asked as she hugged Rynn, and his arm awkwardly patted her back. He was definitelynota hugger, but he had always had a soft spot for Kai. Most people did—she was by far the most likable of the four of them.
Rynn nodded. “About two weeks ago, I suppose. I assume you all got the same message about Aataran?”
“Why else do you think we’re here?” Jade responded quickly, then bit her tongue when Kai shot her a look.
“Yes. Sorry it took us so long,” Kai responded, then explained all three of their stories and how they had found one another. Jade noticed she left out the part about the mysterious man on the ship.
“What about you? How did you and Isla…meet?” Kai asked. Her voice rose an octave on the last word, like she was trying to find a nice way to say, “Why did you drag a human into this, you idiot?”
But perhaps Jade was simply projecting her own thoughts.
Rynn explained his story, which was more or less the same as theirs. The interesting part came when he recounted how he had come across Isla.
“You took down an entire group of those men? Well done,” Aidan said, nodding his approval. The girl flushed and clenched her jaw. Clearly, she did not want praise for her actions, even if theywererather impressive for a young human of her stature.
“And I saved her again when their companions kidnapped her to avenge their fallen. She was quite brutal then, as well,” Rynn said, the smallest hint of pride in his voice.
“Whoa there, what do you mean, ‘saved heragain’? I didn’t need to be saved that first time, you know.” Isla looked pointedly at Rynn. The corner of his mouth tilted up.
Was hesmiling?
“I have to hear the rest of this story.” Aidan grinned. He always loved a good fight.
“That explains how you two met,” Jade started, “but why is she here now? Why didn’t you send her home? No offense,” she added to Isla. “It’s just that there is no need to endanger anyone else in our affairs.” She hoped her tone came across as explanatory and not hostile—she truly wanted to know why Rynn was risking this girl’s life by associating with them.
Isla bit her lip and glanced back at Rynn, who only nodded, resigned, and said, “For that story, I think we will need some drinks.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Isla
Isla’sfirstinteractionwiththe other elementals hadn’t been as terrifying as she expected. Sure, they were an intimidating group, even when tired and worn from days of travel and searching the mountains. They were similar to Rynn in that they all had confidence and undeniable ancient power emanating from them. Their eyes were not like human eyes; they had seen thousands of lives and contained a depth she couldn’t begin to comprehend.
But they were surprisingly…normal. They smiled, laughed, treated her kindly—perhaps with some suspicion on Jade’s part, but Isla understood. A small weight of relief lifted from her, knowing the worst was over, and they had not been angry or tried to attack her or any other ridiculous scene her anxious mind had conjured.
The five of them trekked back to the inn that Jade, Kai, and Aidan were staying at in Krill. The latter three went to their rooms to clean up before meeting Isla and Rynn at the tavern downstairs for dinner, which gave her a few minutes alone with him.
They were seated at a table in the back of the dining area, leaving as much space as possible between them and the other guests. It was a simple yet clean tavern, with wood floors and a hodgepodge of chairs surrounding the tables. The rich, savory spices of whatever meat was being served smelled divine and made Isla’s mouth water after days of nothing but dried meat, hard cheese, and the occasional piece of fruit.
“How are you doing with all of this?” Rynn asked, reclining in his chair but leaving a hand on the table next to her glass.
Isla crossed her legs and twisted her fingers in her new blue sweater. “I’m fine. They seem…nice.” He smirked lightly, then immediately scowled when she added, “Aidan is rather friendly.”
“He likes to test my patience.”
“And how was he testing your patience?” she teased.
The muscles in his neck flexed as he leaned forward until they were only inches apart. Her playful smile faltered. She thought he was going to say something else but seemed to change his mind and instead responded with, “We need to tell them about the man from your vision.”
