Lora followed Eyden’s hurried steps, ignoring the fae they walked past, every step determined as she hoped it would bring them closer to the cure, closer to the end of this undesired trip.
Back to the place where she belonged.
Chapter9
Lora
They walked in unexpected silence. Lora had more than one question churning in her head but she waited, unsure if anyone on the streets would overhear them since Eyden had chosen not to speak and they were still walking in broad daylight. As usual, he barely glanced in her direction as he led the way.Usual.No, this was not to become her new normal. She was going to be gone from this land soon enough.
“You never mentioned the vial,” Eyden said, breaking their silence. They were now nearing the woods on the outskirts of the town, leaving the wandering fae folk behind.
Lora looked around and when she was satisfied she didn’t see anyone who could spy on their conversation, she replied, “I know.” She didn’t owe him an explanation. She’d reveal her cards when it was necessary.
Before Eyden had a chance to react, all the questions she’d collected over the past hour spilled out. “Arentae is a healing herb, right? Do you think we’ll get both of the items Sahalie wanted?”
Eyden looked over his shoulder. His face didn’t give away any emotions besides his calculating stare. “That’s a lot of questions for someone who hasn’t answered mine yet.”
“You didn’t ask me anything. You made an observation.”
Eyden glared at her, emotions seeping into his expression, that heavy gaze challenging her. “Okay, then. Why didn’t you bring it up? Would’ve been good to know.”
Lora didn’t break his stare. “It must’ve slipped my mind,” she said innocently.
Eyden shifted his bright eyes to the small path leading into the woods. “I don’t think there’s much that escapes you.”
“Are you already admitting that I’m smarter than you? I thought it’d at least take you a day. Maybe I underestimated you, after all.”
Eyden slowed down again as he half turned to her and let out a rich laugh. The sound echoed in Lora’s bones, filling her with a pleasant warmth. She hadn’t heard him laugh like this before. Free. Genuine. Sohuman.She immediately scowled at her own thoughts. Eyden noticed and his laughter died abruptly. The joy in the air was sucked away as he picked up his pace again.
“I admitted no such thing,” he replied a bit later, his back to her. “And to answer your question, I know who to ask, so we should be able to get both the crystal and the herb. Just let me do the talking. And if you have any more secrets that could help us, you’d better tell me now.”
“There’s nothing else to tell.” Nothing she was willing to share, at least.
Eyden looked sceptical but didn’t push it as they broke into the small clearing Lora vaguely recognised from the night before. In the daylight, it was easier for Lora to take in the details. Tiny midnight-blue flowers grew next to the massive oak tree in front them. There was no proof in sight that this was, indeed, the right spot, but as Eyden stopped, she knew it must be.
He kneeled on the ground and started to whisper. Lora’s ears strained to make out his mumbling but she couldn’t decipher the foreign words.
Eyden rose as the familiar entrance to the market appeared out of thin mist.
“How exactly does this work?” Lora gestured to the slim wooden door.
“That’s not for you to know.”
“Why? Because I’m human?”
“Yes, and I’d be a fool to trust you.” Of course, he wouldn’t share the fae’s secrets. She wouldn’t give away her own either. Yet it still drove her mad, not knowing and having to depend on Eyden instead of figuring it out herself.
Though she could feel her frustration rising up, enhancing her temper, she said as calmly as she could muster, “The feeling’s mutual.”
“Now that we’ve established the obvious, shall we go in?” Eyden pointedly looked at the door before addressing Lora again. “Keep the vial close to you and keep your distance from anyone else.”
Lora was about to agree when a rush of nerves hit her. “Are there going to be more fae than last night?”
“Yes.” Eyden’s eyes drifted to the side of her jacket where her hand rested over her pocket. “It might be better if you give me the vial for the time being. Actually, it’ll most definitely be safer with me.”
Stunned, Lora moved her hand to cover the vial in a secure grip. “Didn’t we just agree that neither one of us trusts the other?”
“Everyone with the code can go in. There’s no other security. The market is technically illegal, so if something gets stolen, you either accept it or get it back yourself.” He sought out her eyes. “I’m pretty sure you’d rather not lose the only thing that can get you what you want.”
