Attempting to heal the other injured fae hadn’t been as successful as everyone had hoped. Avery had somehow drawn a tiny glowing light out for one person, an elderly fae woman who had been bitten on the leg by a wolven. The light that Avery produced gave the woman much needed pain relief, but didn’t seem to heal her. She couldn’t recreate the healing light for anyone else, despite her strained attempts, leaving Avery drained as Savine hauled her onto Jari's back.
Avery’s shoulders tensed as she thought back to the attack. Her jaw clenched, and she shuddered.
Savine responded by giving her a gentle caress with his hand on her side. It was the type of motion meant to comfort. He leaned forward and whispered, “You should be proud of the courage you showed those folk through your own exhaustion.”
His breath was warm on her ear and neck as he continued to rub her side. She squeezed his arm in gratitude.
Savine was going from arrogant and unkind to protective and caring way too quickly. Avery felt the mental whiplash from his change in personality, and she needed time and space away from him to process her own feelings toward his change in attitude. Obviously,that wouldn’t happen until she was no longer sharing the back of an elk with him.
They rode swiftly and silently through the night, not speaking often to keep their presence hidden. The woods were dark, and the sky was filled with clouds after the storm that had struck during the attack. Savine seemed to be quietly conversing with the trees as they rode. Or maybe he was praying to his Goddess? Whatever it was, a steady stream of incomprehensible words rolled across his lips, the sound catching in her ear. It wasn’t as annoying as she would have suspected. In fact, it was soothing to hear his melodic voice in her ear.
Avery heard the approaching footfall of an elk getting out of line. As she looked over her shoulder, she could see Raikin ride up beside them. Raikin and Savine discussed the attack in low voices, and although Avery was too exhausted to acknowledge Raikin's presence, she could hear bits and pieces of what he said. Raikin seemed to give an update on the injured who traveled with them.
“Avery, did you hear me?” Raikin asked. She hadn’t noticed that Raikin was addressing her. She was too far gone, too drained at this point in the night.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I wasn’t paying attention,” Avery admitted.
“I was asking how you summoned the light that saved Garnel,” Raikin asked.
“I-I can’t answer that. I don’t know how I did it. If I could do it again, I’d do all I can to help the other injured fae. Hopefully, we don’t have another attack, so I can have time to practice when I’m not this tired.”
“Little mouse, we can guarantee another attack before we settle in the winter encampment. That is a typical occurrence in the best of years in this ongoing civil war. The only question is, who will attack next? I suggest you learn to protect yourself and figure out how tocall your magic. You never know when you won’t have someone there to do the protecting for you,” Raikin said, his words cutting like a knife blade.
Savine growled, and Avery felt his body tense between hers. “Watch what you say, Raikin. Get back in line.”
Raikin snarled something intangible as he let Savine and Avery pass.
Avery’s voice shook.“I think Raikin is right. I will be hunted down and stolen. There’s nothing you can do to stop it. Eventually, I will be taken.”
“I promise you, I won’t let anyone take you from me,” Savine said as he drew her close to him.
“Something’s changed between us,” Avery said, her voice hardly a whisper. “What’s made you grow closer to me? It seems like you don’t let anybody in. So why choose me?” It had been something that had been bothering her since the night he brought her down by the river.
He moved his hand down to her thigh and rested it there. Avery also shifted her hand on top of his, lacing her fingers through his. Warmth and comfort, mingled with need and want, pulsed through her as she looked at their fingers interlaced together. She realized something in that moment. Something that made her stomach flutter and filled her with dread at the same time. The only time she felt safe in Aeritis was when she was near Savine. His protective presence was the only thing that kept her from succumbing to the grief and fear that filled her.
Savine was quiet for so long that Avery wondered if he heard her. “You don’t deserve this. You were stolen from your home to a dangerous land, and yet you are willing to do what it takes to survive. Despite what you may think, you continue to amaze me with your resilience and your adaptability.” He paused and stroked her hand as he clearedhis throat. “That and your magic intoxicates me. I know we don’t know each other well yet, but your power calls to me.”
Avery turned her head and looked into his blue eyes. His essence rippled under his skin. His face looked stern, yet how he held her felt so gentle, so safe. “How do you know I have so much power in me?”
“I know because I can feel it pulsing under your skin. I can smell it when you are mad, and I can feel it in my own essence when I touch you. Do you see how my essence shifts as I touch you? That is my power speaking to yours.” The intensity of his stare made Avery blush. She couldn’t help it. This feeling between them was obvious as she tore her eyes from his and looked at his essence swirling under her touch. It was strange how tangible of a reaction her touch had on him.
“IfI have magic, how do I learn to use it?” she asked. She’d made up excuses for the others, but she felt something awaken deep within her. Something warm and pulsing, similar to what she felt when she and Savine touched. When she tried to call it forth for the other injured fae, it seemed resistant to her, like something that was beyond her control. But she still felt it, deep inside her like a sleeping beast ready to be awakened.
“Once we arrive in Bayberry, you will need to train your magic. I already arranged for you to learn to defend yourself with Kyla. But we’ll need to find someone else until she’s comfortable leaving Garnel’s side. The healer, Hyacinth, has strong family ties all the way back to the ancient witches. If anyone can train your magic, it will be her. I’d planned to talk with her once we arrived in Bayberry.”
Avery let out a sigh. “I don’t really have a choice if I am to survive here. After the attack, I realized I can’t keep hiding like the mouse everyone claims I am. Could Rue train me? After Kyla manipulated my emotions… I wanted to help Garnel. I don’t want to see her lose her soulmate, but I’d feel more comfortable with Rue.”
“I don’t see you as weak. A mouse has to do all it can to survive, and sometimes that involves learning that even mice have teeth that can break skin. As for my sister… I understand how you feel. Rue proved herself worthy of the task tonight, but she is untested in a real battle. I can help train you when I’m free, which isn’t often. When I’m not, Rue can step in.”
Avery yawned. “Sounds like a plan,” she said flatly.
“Rest. I can feel the exhaustion and tension throughout your body.”
“I am tired. You won’t let me fall off Jari, will you?” Avery asked.
“I will never let harm come to you. Ever,” Savine said. Her body relaxed and leaned into his powerful body, resting her head on his shoulder. She looked at the small smile on his face as she drifted to sleep.
Safe. She was safe.
