Chapter 37
She swallows. “Thank you.”
“How hard was it for you to say that?” I ask.
“I hate you,” she mutters in response.
“The feeling’s mutual.” But there’s no heat in either of our words.
“I’m going to see what else I can do to help,” she says, standing to her feet. I copy her but sway a moment. She puts a hand on my elbow, barely. “You’re not going to pass out, right?”
“Nope.” I pull my elbow from her grasp. “I’m good.”
She nods. “Good. Later.”
“Later,” I call out after her. It takes a lot longer than I thought it would to get the net off Redara. By the time they get it off, it’s late in the afternoon. As soon as it’s off, I walk over to Redara and touch her leg.You're free.
I’m free.
Noxlyn snorts, and I move out of the way so he can get close to her. Kaldar approaches us. “It will be getting dark soon. Doyou want to stay with us tonight?”
I shake my head. “Thank you, but no.”
He eyes me in obvious concern. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. His sister is back at Farrah and Rysden’s, and we need to get back to her.”
He frowns. “His sister?” I hesitate, and he notices and moves on. “Okay. Kinsley will be sad she missed you.”
Sadness fills me a moment, but I push it away. “Tell her I miss her and to take care of herself. Oh, and tell her I said congratulations.” A smile forms on Kaldar’s face, and I can feel an answering smile on my own. “I’m really happy for you guys.”
“Thank you, Harper. I’ll tell her. Are you sure you can’t stay? I know she’d love to see you.”
I close any and all emotion his words bring on. “No, but tell her I’ll try to see her soon.” I turn away from him, not feeling in control at the moment. I blame it on the pain. The pain is making me feel all kinds of things I really don’t want to feel. I’m surprised to see Rauk right behind me. “What’s the plan for getting home?” I ask, ready to get going.
“Noxlyn will fly you and me back; Redara will follow.”
Can you fly?I send to her.
Well, I'm not staying here,she returns.
I face Rauk. "All right. I'm really not looking forward to riding Noxlyn, especially with you, but I’m not going to make Red carry me when she may barely be able to carry herself.”
Rauk studies me a moment. “Do you always say exactly what you’re thinking?”
I don’t skip a beat. “Pretty much.”
“Hmmm.” He surprises me by looking over at Kaldar. “I kept her hidden.” I know exactly what he’s talking about, and I stay out of the conversation.
“Why?” Kaldar asks. There’s nothing but curiosity in his tone.
Rauk’s quiet for just a moment, and I turn my gaze on him. I'm surprised at the look on his face; it’s much more open than usual. He meets my eyes for a moment before he looks back at Kaldar. “I thought I could keep her safe. First, from the enemies we have on two fronts, but I failed at that.” My heart tugs in my chest. “And second,” and now, he meets my gaze. “I never wanted her to have to compete in the Spirit Trials.” Understanding dawns, and I suck in a breath. I think I knew that subconsciously, but the fact that he’s admitting it is...shocking. “She’s paralyzed from the waist down,” he finishes. I look away from him, feeling too much. Instead, I look at Kaldar to see how he’s taking this all.
There’s understanding on his face. “I can understand that.” And that’s that. My respect for Kaldar grows. “You should know, though,” Kaldar continues. “Both Rysden and I have changed the laws in our kingdoms. No one is banished if they don’t have a spirit animal. You can do the same.”
It’s quiet a beat, and then Rauk says, “Thanks.”
He turns to walk away, and I stare after him a moment in shock, trying to process what I’m looking at. “Rauk.” I hurry to catch up to him. “What are the scars all over your back?”
