“Savine, tell them what you shared with us. They deserve to know,” Riggins said, his weary body sinking into the couch.
“The loyalists are not returning to the other side of the pass. They are destroying the forest, and it appears they are making plans to attack Bayberry.”
Susan let out an audible gasp, and Avery felt that familiar twinge of fear bubble up inside her. She willed herself to push down the fear and looked into Savine’s eyes. There was concern there. Of course, he would fear for this community that had taken him in as their own.
“There was always a chance they would change their strategy. After all, we have been fighting for twenty-five years. But they seem to know about Avery. I suspect all of Aeritis has heard of her at this point.”
“But what will you do? You cannot let them take her!” Susan said. Her voice sounded shrill, nearly panicked.
Savine’s scowl deepened, and he moved his body protectively toward Avery. His eyes seemed to shine like cut ice. “Those loyalist pricks will have to walk over my dead body before they take Avery. If anyone dares to touch her, I will cut them down.”
Susan’s eyes widened, and her eyebrows raised slightly. “So you will risk bringing the battle to Bayberry, then? Forgive me, but this seems like the only outcome if they are looking for her.”
“Avery cannot stay here. Not with the threat of the loyalists invading and ransacking the city. I also will not stand for them destroying the forest. The army will ride out, and push them back into the pass.” Savine turned and looked at Avery, taking her hands in his. That familiar warmth pulsed through both of them, and Avery shuddered at his touch and the intensity of his gaze. “Avery, you’re coming with me. I cannot risk you staying.”
Avery’s heart shuttered. Her stomach roiled at the thought of being on a battlefield.
“I can’t go to battle. I’ll just be in your way.” She shook her head as she spoke. No, this was too soon. She’d hardly practiced swinging that battle axe around. Even though her aim was decent, she wasn’t ready to meet the actual creatures that wanted her dead.
“You need to come. I won’t risk an attack on Bayberry because they see you are there. You will be with me and Jari the whole time.”
Po interrupted before Avery could make a counter argument. “Savine is right, dear. This is the first time the loyalists haven’t left before autumn arrived. They haven’t attacked Savine’s network of trees since the beginning of the war. It’s because of you. They will be looking to see if you are not with them, and they’ll attack Bayberry to search for you. If they see you on the battlefield, they will only try to get to you. But you’re in safe hands with the rebels. Savine, you have won how many battles?”
Savine didn’t respond right away, but he crossed his arms and thought about the question. “I’ve won more battles than I’ve lost. That’s all that matters.”
He turned back to Avery, putting his hand on her arm. “Avery, I will burn the whole loyalist army to the ground before I let them take you from me.”
Avery’s breath caught in her throat, and her heart fluttered in her chest. Savine’s firm squeeze on her arm made her whole body feel radiant. Savine looked at her like they were the only ones in the room, and for a few seconds, they were.
Beside her, someone cleared their throat. “Avery, dear, now that is cleared up, would you like to get some rest? This must have been an exhausting day.” She didn’t stop looking at Savine to see who spoke.
“I can show her to her room,” Savine offered.
A muffled cough was the only response. But she didn’t give a damn. “I’d appreciate that,” Avery said as she slipped her hand into his.
Chapter thirty-one
Avery
Savine led Avery to a small room. He let her pass him and leaned against the doorway while she entered the first room Avery had been in since leaving Montana. A twin bed with a fluffy white blanket was in the center of the tiny space. Exposed wood beams crossed the ceiling, and the floor featured a floral-print rug. Her backpack sat on top of a dresser.
Savine watched her with preternatural stillness as she examined the room. Finally, she heard him ask, “Do you want to talk about what was said downstairs?”
Avery raised her eyebrow. “About me joining you in battle? Or about Susan being a human? Actually, you know, I’m good for the night. I just want to chill. Today’s been a lot to process.”
“Chill, whatever that is, sounds perfect. It’s been a bad day. Except for Garnel surviving. You amaze me, Ave.”
Ave.
He called her by her sister’s nickname for her. Avery’s heart swelled as she looked at the tiny bed, made for only one Bayberry-sized person.
“This will be the first actual bedroom I’ve slept in since I left on my backpacking trip,” Avery said as she sat down on the bed. “Come, sit by me Savine.”
Savine came into the room. The fae lights glowed softly, illuminating Savine’s coppery skin. His essence moved slowly, languidly, as he sat beside Avery on the bed.
Savine leaned his body against the pillows, hands behind his head. Avery grinned at Savine before hopping off the bed. “I want to show you something from my world.”
She went over to her backpack and pulled out her phone. Thank God someone brought her stuff to her room. “Have you ever heard of a selfie?”
