Lora had wondered why Eyden wasn’t using his teleporting powers now that it was out in the open. But she noticed he put his hand on his chest several times, covering his wound. He wasn’t invincible either. Eyden, much like everyone else, was walking at a slow, tired pace.
From the few pieces of conversation Lora had overheard, Elyssa was less than thrilled about Eyden’s actions during the fight, mainly removing Elyssa from the situation entirely. She hadn’t started a fight—not yet, at least. Lora hadn’t failed to take notice of the restrained rage in Elyssa’s eyes.
Elyssa had been quiet in Lora’s presence as well, only talking to her about injuries or her tracker. She could tell the other girl wanted to say more but decided to stay silent. At the very least, Elyssa and Farren didn’t give her the same look Jaspen gave her anytime their eyes met. The suspicion made Lora’s skin crawl. He must regret letting Lora into their camp so easily after seeing her fae powers. Even though he’d asked for her help during the fight.
Thankfully, Jaspen didn’t utter any objections when the group, including Eyden and Lora, entered the rebel camp. The spell had held, everyone was safe and running towards them as soon as they broke through the trees. There were cheers and howls of sorrow. Chaotic reunions.
Lora found herself on the outskirts, lost. Her eyes searched for Eyden unwillingly. He was walking back into the woods, disappearing into the night as he’d done many times before. She took a step in his direction. Even if there was no point in an impossible reconciliation, she needed to have at least one final conversation. Not only to discuss the cure.
A hand touched her arm and Lora froze. She turned to find Elyssa looking at her.
“You should let him go. I’m sure he’ll be back by morning.”
Back for his sister, not for her. Would he even stop by before she left to find Saydren? Would she have to ask Ilario to take her back to the market instead?
Elyssa’s face was free of spite, yet Lora couldn’t help but wonder. “Do you hate me too?” she asked, the question spilling out of her before she could stop herself.
Elyssa sighed. “Hate? No. Am I thrilled you kept a secret that could’ve been pretty goddamn useful to know? Again, no. But you did come through in the end. There would’ve been more death if it wasn’t for you, so I can’t be too mad. And if you’re worried about your mission, don’t be. I’ll still help you get to Saydren. I won’t abandon you now. It’s not my style.”
The ache in Lora’s chest healed a fraction. She hadn’t known how much she needed to hear that, to know there was still someone in her corner. But did Elyssa know everything?
Even though she hated the thought of further risking their friendship, Lora knew she wanted her friend to make up her mind with all the facts laid out in front of them. “You know what this means, right? About crossing the border?” Lora asked, biting her lip.
A tired smile grazed Elyssa’s lips. “I never wanted to cross anyway. I belong here. More so than you in some ways, I think.” Lora wasn’t sure if that was meant to be a compliment or an insult. Maybe it was neither. It was just the truth. “I’m only disappointed you didn’t have more faith in Eyden and me. I mean, come on. I know it was never strictly business with you two. I’m not blind. I knew from the moment Eyden told me about you on Falea Night that there was something there. You two are too goddamn stubborn to trust each other. But after I told you everything he did to get you back, I thought…” She shook her head, her gaze darting around the camp. “Never mind. It doesn’t matter now. What’s done is done.”
Lora tried to wrap her mind around Elyssa’s words. Falea Night. Eyden had talked to his sister that night. Abouther.He must have teleported away in the woods. Her heart squeezed, but she instantly shut down the feeling and refocused her anger.
“Eyden has barely talked to me since, so I guess I was right to have my doubts.” Her tone came out more bitter than she intended. “I am sorry, though. It might not mean much now, but I do wish things had gone differently.”
Elyssa met her eyes, taking them in with curiosity. “How did you do it? How did you hide it so well?”
Lora’s gaze shifted around them. There was no one within hearing distance anymore, but she moved closer to Elyssa nonetheless as she lowered her voice. “My necklace. I was wearing almandine.” Elyssa’s eyes travelled to her collarbone. “I don’t have it anymore.” Her hand instinctively went to the bare spot. It felt like a part of her was gone. Part of her humanity had broken off with the physical trinket she’d loved wearing.
If you carried something with you for such a long time, would it not become a part of you in some way? The necklace was more than a power dampener. It had been a gift from her mother and a reminder of home. The image of her mum almost brought tears to her eyes.
“You were wearing almandine every day? For how long?” Elyssa asked.
“16 years, more or less.”
Elyssa’s shocked expression made Lora feel uneasy. “That’s nuts. No wonder your fire was that intense. It’d been building up for such a long time. I’m surprised not using your power didn’t drive you absolutely batshit crazy. I guess your…kind is not quite the same as most fae.”
“I wouldn’t know.” There wasn’t much she could find out through her research. Half-fae were impossible according to every history book, every article. Clearly, that was incorrect.
“I wonder how you survived when, as far as we know, there’s no one else like you—alive, at least. You’re a mystery, Lora.”
A mystery. Yes, in some way she was, even to herself. “I don’t mean to be. Not anymore.” Lora wished she had all the answers, but she suspected she’d never get them.
A scream pierced the night air. Lora tensed out of reflex, scanning the camp. There was no movement. The cry came from one of the tents. Were they treating the wounded woman?
“Was that a scream?” Elyssa’s face was anxious, pained as if she was the one hurt. When Lora nodded, Elyssa continued on, “I should go help, but I do wanna talk more. Tomorrow. Once we both got some sleep, okay?”
“What about Saydren? I was texting my brother earlier…my mum’s condition is critical. I need to go home tomorrow no matter what.”
“I’m sorry. For what it’s worth, I think you and Eyden are all set for tomorrow. He stored some silver in my room.” At Lora’s questioning expression, Elyssa added, “Real silver. He’ll know the way to River’s Point. Saydren will be the nicely dressed man with short black hair. He’s usually there doing all kinds of business in the late afternoon or evenings.”
Why Elyssa assumed Eyden would still go with Lora was beyond her. Lora could probably find her own way to River’s Point. She’d been there before and she was now more familiar with the map of Liraen on her phone. Most importantly, no one would question her now that she had fire at her disposal, would they? Lora might have no idea how to control her powers, but if need be, she’d simply have to figure it out.
She could pull this off on her own. Shewould.
