Chapter 22
Everybody was waiting for us by the door. Ramsay, Colton and Noro brightened up at the sight of us strolling back towards the house with our fingers intertwined.
I met Crystal’s gaze hesitantly, not knowing how she would feel. But now there was less irritation in her eyes, which filled me with relief.
The atmosphere feltdifferent, no longer fraught with tension.Nobody asked where we had gone. The fact that we’d gone out with the pelts and returned without them was enough--and there was the mourning song we had all sung together as wolves.
Crystal stood off to the side of the front steps as the rest of us got ready to hole up for the night.
“Sir,” she said to Eric, “shall I stand guard at the door?”
He shook his head. “Thank you, but I don’t think that’s necessary.”
“Then I’ll patrol the border.”
I remembered my promise to the Madame. I caught Eric’s eye and tightened my grip on his hand.
“You seem like you want to say something, Matheson,” Eric noted.
Crystal eyed me.
“I do,” I said. “We’re not enemies with the humans, not anymore. Their leader turned down Neil’s offer and protected me.”
“I do remember her saying that,” Eric said. At the dismissive look on Crystal’s face, he added, “She could have easily sacrificed Matheson’s life her for own gain. But she didn’t.”
“She’s not an evil person,” I pleaded. “She’s just trying to survive. If we forge a truce with the humans, we won’t need to worry about them anymore.” I summoned the nerve to add, “And she promised me she wouldn’t hunt wolves anymore.”
“And you trust this woman?” Crystal asked, her tone neutral.
“I do,” I said firmly.
Crystal’s gaze bore into mine as if trying to read my thoughts, then she finally sighed. “Fine. If Lord Eric agrees, then I’ll go along with it.”
I glanced up at Eric, and the others waited for his decision. With all eyes on him, Eric slowly nodded.
“I’ll agree to a truce with the humans,” he said. “We don’t need any more enemies.”
I held back a massive sigh of relief.
“But know that if she goes back on her word, the truce is over,” Eric warned.
I nodded, knowing that the Madame wasn’t that type of person. We shared something deeply intimate when I’d healed her womb--a friendship between two child-bearing parents. She was intensely grateful for what I’d done for her. In a way, we owed each other our lives. Our bond wouldn’t be so easily broken.
Ramsay cleared his throat. “Well, now that that’s all settled, I’m ready for a relaxing evening with no kidnapping and no drama.”
“I bet you are,” Eric remarked. “I see that Matheson healed your wounds, too.”
Ramsay held up his arms and lifted his shirt for everyone to see. “Sure did. I don’t feel like Swiss cheese anymore.”
“Fascinating,” Noro murmured in genuine awe. “Matheson healed your wounds completely in only a few days. In comparison, I was left to heal on my own, and still have my injuries.”
“Here, Noro,” I said. “Let me help you.”
My sessions with the Madame had greatly increased my confidence using clear magic. I wasn’t the weak mage who fainted after using a single drop of healing anymore. With my newfound experience, I knew I could fix Noro’s wounds easily.
I approached him and placed my hands on his forearms, which bore most of the cuts. I shut my eyes and shifted into a focused mindspace. Within moments I felt the soothing magic pour from my fingertips and into Noro’s skin, mending the wounds with ease. It only took a few minutes. When I opened my eyes again, he looked good as new.
His golden eyes were wide with wonder, unable to look away from his spotless skin. “Incredible.”
