“Why would they come this far for that? Surely Malke has what they need,” Vade said.
Elshar shrugged.
Vade’s eyes darted around the room like he expected Balor to reappear.
Elshar pointed at her. “Now, tell me this, lass. What in the gods’ names are you doin’ travelin’ with this son of a bitch? Can’t imagine it’s by choice.”
Before she could respond, Vade did it for her. “She didn’t know what she was doing and her binding spell latched onto me. We’re headed for Dorsey so the Head Druid can reverse it.”
Elshar’s mouth flopped open. “You’re a witch.”
She dipped her chin. “At your service.”
He untied his vambrace and rolled up his sleeve, revealing a gash in his wrist half scabbed over. “Think ya can help me out? I ain’t never met a witch before. Always wondered ‘bout what they could do.”
Orelia reached across the table and gently placed her hand over the wound.
Elshar stared at her glowing palm, and when the shapes on her fingers lit up, she thought his eyes were going to bulge out of his head.
When she was done, he ran his calloused fingers over the smooth skin of his wrist. “Amazin’! Thank ya, little witch.” He looked at Vade while pointing at her. “You take good care a this one, ya here me?”
Vade’s jaw was hard set. “Trust me, she requires all my focus.”
She threw the broody fae a glare as she sipped on her ale, but he wasn’t bothered.
“Once you’re free a him, where ya headed?”
Orelia wiped her mouth. “Back home to Minro.”
Elshar rubbed his chin. “Minro . . .don’t think I ever heard of it.”
“It’s not much of a village. A blip on the map on the southeast edge of the continent.” She felt Vade’s focus on her, but when she looked at him, he looked away.
“Well, I wish ya luck on your travels, lass. And be careful of them woods. Ran into a few of those nasty critters on my way here. They call themselves Free . . .Free something . . .”
“Freebeasts,” Orelia and Vade said at once, glancing awkwardly at one another.
Elshar snapped his fingers. “That’s it. Little buggers took my coin, and one of ‘em gave me that cut on my wrist.”
“The mighty Elshar couldn’t handle a few pigs? Have you grown soft, friend?” Vade’s lips quirked.
“Soft like that prick in your pants?” Elshar reached under the table and threw a fist at Vade’s groin, but shadows stopped him.
Elshar grunted. “Damn Myrker, always suckin’ the fun outta everythin’.”
Vade chuckled. “Fucking Lysa.”
Orelia enjoyed the sight of the two of them speaking like old friends. She didn’t think Vade capable of having any, or that anyone would choose to withstand him for any length of time, but Elshar didn’t seem to mind at all.
“Well, I best be on my way,” the giant of a man said as he rose from the table. “Don’t want my woman waitin’ long.” Elshar drained his mug and slammed it on the table, belching. He smacked Vade’sshoulder with a force that would have knocked her flat on her ass. “Good to see ya. Keep yourself alive so I get to see ya again, you got it?”
Vade nodded.
“And you, little witch. It was a pleasure to meet ya.” He lifted her fingers with his and placed a chapped lip kiss on the back of her hand.
Orelia smiled. “The pleasure was all mine. Your intended is a very lucky woman, Elshar. I can only hope I find what you have someday.”
The light-wielding fae threw his pack over his shoulder, standing tall and proud. “If this asshole knows what’s good for him, he’ll claim ya too, sooner rather than later.” Knowing blue eyes slid to Vade before Elshar winked at her. “Take care you two.” Heavy boots crossed the room, and the mountain man ducked under the door as he stepped out into the muck.
