He looks worse than I do.
“She’s fine,” Maines shouts across the circle.
Oak nods while Larkin limps toward me. Maines gives him some space, and Larkin extends a hand for me to rise. I grasp it, and he pulls me up. A flash of pain courses through me, butI ignore it. I stand before him, bracing for my reprimand for losing control yet again. He towers over me, and his stare sears into mine.
Larkin lifts his arms, and I flinch, ready for a blow back.
Surprise hits me as he tightly wraps both arms around me, pulling me into the tightest hug. I stay in shock for a moment, and then he hugs me even tighter. I look at Maines through his arms, and she smiles. I return the embrace and wrap my arms around him, squeezing as tightly as he does. A calmness moves through me, and I can’t help but imagine I’m hugging my brother. I feel safe, happy, and a tad guilty for almost hurting him, but I bury my head into his chest nonetheless.
He pulls away and slaps both hands around my shoulder. “That was fucking awesome.”
“I could have killed you.”
“Yeah, but you didn’t,” he responds, casually. “I wasn’t worried.”
“Liar.”
“You’re right,” he laughs. “I was seconds from panicking.”
I crook a smile.
“I’m sorry I mentioned your brother. I didn’t mean anything I said.”
“I know.”
“I wanted to see if emotions would motivate you, since the elements didn’t, and boy was I right.” Larkin shakes my shoulders.
I can’t quite pinpoint him, but he’s proud. So proud of me, and I can’t help but laugh.
Oak walks up. “You two look like you’ve been in a tavern fight.”
“Gods, an ale sounds great right now,” Larkin says, and releases my shoulders on a laugh.
I watch him and angle my head.
“Yeah, it does,” Maines agrees.
“I’d say that’s enough for today,” Oak says, grasping Maines hand to lead her back to the house. “We will head to the castle in about an hour. You two should definitely clean up.”
They continue forward, leaving Larkin and me standing in our small ruin.
“Thank you,” I say to him.
“For what?” he asks.
“For pushing me, for challenging me, and for being there for me.”
He nods. “Always.”
My heart swells. I may have lost my older brother, but I feel as if I’ve gained another. I glance down at my hands and can’t hide the shock on my face when I see that one of my fingertips is no longer covered in darkness. It’s normal and pale. I tuck my hands into my pants and ignore the urge to stare.
“I need to do something before we meet with Aerona,” I say, as I walk toward the house.
Larkin follows behind me with a limp. “Alright. What can I help with?”
I pause and stare at him. “We need to get Silas and go to Yara’s bedroom.”
Chapter 31
