“You said it only allows you to read it when it has something you need to hear,” he said. “Perchance it doesn’t want you to take it with us?”
I huffed out a growl. “Maybe.” My shoulders fell. We needed all the clues we could get, and I hated leaving anything that might help us behind. But he was probably right.
When we emerged into the sitting area, Farris stood near the door. A flicker in his eyes betrayed his concern.
In the hall, guards handed us the supplies Calista had collected, and they bowed as we took them and carefully tucked them into our packs.
Surren brought our breakfast tray into the room and placed it on the table. Turning, he studied us both. “You're sure we can't go with you?”
“We have to do this alone,” I said, knowing it was true. “Help Lord Briscalar, please.”
Surren pressed his fist against his chest and bowed deeply, leaving the room and shutting the door behind him.
We ate quickly and left the tray on the table, rising, watching each other, saying absolutely nothing. We both worried about what was coming.
“I've been to Halendor Court before, though not inside the castle itself,” Lore said. “I'll flit us to the forest above the building.”
“Alright.” I tapped the hilts of my daggers. I'd leave my sword here, trusting the daggers he'd given me and my throwing blades would be enough. I was decent with a sword, but it was unwieldy in tight places, and I’d always been best with my knives. “What’s the plan?”
“Sneak in. Find the talisman. Flit back here. We’ll be lounging in bed by mid-afternoon.” He sounded like he was teasing, but the seriousness in his eyes told me how frightened he was. Not for himself but for me. I felt the same.
I walked over to stand near the fireplace with the dying coals warming my back, staring at the room that had become a haven, a place where I’d finally been able to piece myself back together. But more than that, it was the place where Lore had given me everything: his love, his trust, his truth. He'd healed me.
Now it was time to heal him.
Farris brushed against my legs. Restless and with his silver tail spiking back and forth, he must know something was about to happen. He refused to leave my side, his keen eyes fixed on every shadow, every flicker of movement I made. His unease mirrored my own. We were flitting into danger headfirst, and the stakes had never been higher.
“You’re quiet.” Lore joined me, his voice wrapping around me like smoke, distracting me from my thoughts.
“Thinking,” I said.
His dark eyes settled on mine, and I caught the faintest flicker of concern there.
“Dangerous pastime,” he murmured. He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, his touch lingering on my cheek. “Don’t worry.”
“Would you believe me if I said I’m not?” My attempt at joking fell flat, even to my own ears.
“No.” His voice came out low, with no room for argument. “You’re terrible at lying, Wildfire.”
My lips curved despite myself. “Because the fae can't lie.” Though I had, many times. “And you’re terrible at trying to make me feel better.”
“Am I?” He tilted his head, and his fingers stroked along my collarbone. “Let me try again.”
He cupped my face, his rough palms cradling me. His thumbs smoothed over my cheeks, his gaze boring into mine before he gave me a kiss that felt like a promise. He lifted his head. “I love you. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to keep you safe. Do you feel better now?” His lips curved in a smirk, but his eyes betrayed him. Storm-dark, they burned with a fire I knew was meant for whoever might dare to stand in our way.
I swallowed thickly, my heart stuttering. “A little.”
He pressed a kiss to my forehead, and I melted into his touch. Then his lips found mine again, unhurried yet all-consuming. It wasn’t a frantic kiss, not the desperate kind reserved for farewells or battles. This was Lore’s way of showing me how much he cared.
When he eased back, his breath brushed my skin.
“Time to leave.” He tightened his arms around me.
As Lore flitted us to Halendor Court, Farris howled and leaped toward us.
60
Reyla
