These roses had no ill intentions. Their toxicity only appeared in their defence. They neither lashed out, lied, nor intentionally hurt others without reason; they just existed. A part of the world just as much as she was.
She slowly raised her hand and ran a finger along a large leaf, causing five of the roses to shudder, closing their eyes. The vibrations almost felt like a cat’s purr, or like a dog rolling over as you rubbed its belly, its leg bouncing back and forth with happiness.
She stood and looked back at everyone. “Suza’s right. We either go around or over.” She glanced at Elco, requesting his help, but he huffed and looked away, showing no desire to carry anyone over the dense flowers.
“Then we walk,” she said flatly, choosing a direction at random and beginning to walk, allowing the others to follow.
As she moved forward, she occasionally reached out her hand, gently brushing her fingers against the leaves and smiling as the foliage responded. Their eyes followed their movements with each step, as if they were just as curious about them as she was in return.
The sun began to set through the dark pines, their shadows breaking apart the slivers of sun that tried to break through. Seda continued to flex her new back muscles, slowly getting better at moving her wings in and out. Her movements were jagged, and she felt the strain in her muscles, but she continued practicing. These wings were now a part of her, and she wanted to be comfortable with them.
“We should make camp and rest. Tomorrow’s going to be a long day,” Cahir suggested, breaking the silence.
He had kept his distance most of the day, remainingnear Seda, but not speaking much. She often felt his heavy silence and his eyes on her, though. She knew he was upset about Kalon’s visit with her and was unhappy that Suza had joined them.
It wasn’t the first argument they had ever had, not by a long shot. But it was the first one that didn’t end in laughter and apologies. She briefly thought about their small apartment in Joro, and when she had thrown rice at the walls and wished for it to harm him. She didn’t want any harm to come to him, not even in anger.
They needed to talk and smooth things out. More was at play here than just his loathing of Kalon and their ever-growing relationship. People’s lives were at risk, and it was her responsibility to collect these stones, return to Joro, and find the doorway.
Cahir and Suza slid their sacks off their backs and started unrolling their blankets and other items, while Roya and Seda gathered sticks.
Elco helped light the fire, and they all sat down, listening to the peaceful wind blowing between the trees and the crackle of the flames. The roses observed their every move, as if studying them.
Cahir sat on the opposite side of the campfire from Seda, and she stood up and sat beside him. He glanced down at her, his seven-foot height towering over her own. She looked up at him and offered a hesitant smile, nudging her shoulder into his bicep.
“Are you okay?” she asked as she watched the firelight flicker across his strong jaw and cheeks.
He was silent for a long while before sighing and saying, “Yes. Come here.”
He wrapped an arm around her and drew her nearer, her wings making it a bit awkward with their height difference. A feather brushed against his nose, and he laughed. “These are going to take some getting used to.”
She flexed her back muscles and spread them out behind her, proud of how much she was getting better at moving them.
“I’m worried, Sed,” he whispered.
“About?” She reached out and took his hand, rubbing her thumb back and forth across his palm.
“About all of this. Kalon and what he wants, La Uma, Tievel being the Monster King; Benny, Askold, and the others. I’m worried the Jotnar are planning to make their way to Umbrea, and I won’t be there to help defend the city, but mostly… I’m worried aboutyou.” He looked down at her again, and she watched as the corners of his mouth pulled down.
“I’m right here,” she reassured.
“I don’t want to lose you, Sed. I don’t know what I’d do if something happened.” He lifted her chin with his finger and leaned in, softly pressing his lips against her forehead.
The rapidly beating pulse in his throat caught Seda’s eye. She got to her knees, wrapped her arms around him, and pressed her lips to his, feeling her desire stir and remembering their morning together. He nipped at her lip in response.
Elco puffed smoke from his nostrils, blowing it heavily around them, and causing them both to cough and split apart. Seda had forgotten that others were around them, and when she looked over, they were all staring.
Roya shook her head, Elco gruffed, and Suza immediately looked away as she blushed.
She and Cahir nervously laughed, and she sat back down alongside him, running her hand along his arm.
“I’m not going anywhere, Cahir. We’re in this together.” She squeezed his hand reassuringly and looked at the others around the campfire.
“Sorry,” she mumbled.
An unusual howl echoed through the trees, and Seda saw the roses start to quiver as they all turned their attention toward the sound at once.
Wolves.
