What happened?
I turn my head to glance out of the round window, watching the waves crash against the ship's side, the wide world ahead of us.
I’m safe.
For now.
“Wait. Lang can’t be here.” I snap back into the harsh reality of where I am. “This would be too hard on him.”
“Don’t worry,” Rose chuckles. “I sent his old ass to Brinkym with Oak’s father. He didn’t object, either.” She keeps rubbing my head, trying to calm my nerves. “Lang knows he would slow us down.”
“Thank Gods,” I sigh out, relaxing into her touch.
“He and Oak’s father have become quick friends. The King of Brinkym is very excited to have a new chef in the castle with his experience.”
I smirk.
She squeezes my hand, her smile thawing my cold heart.
Rose pauses for a moment before continuing. “This will be the longest I’ve ever been away from him. He’s been like a father to me all these years, but he will be safe.” She nods, almost as if convinving herself. “Oak’s father will make sure of that.”
I sit up further, a memory flashing into my mind: the boat.
“Silas—is he okay?” I try to lift myself off the cot, but fail to do so, my muscles too weak to hold me up. “His arm. It was horrible, so burned and mangled.” I flinch at the images flashing through my mind. “Where is he?”
She pats my hand, rising from the seat beside me to help me sit up, slowly. “He’s fine. He is standing outside the door, impatiently waiting for me to invite him in. I can practically hearhim pacing.” Rose nods toward the heavy wood door. “Nosey one, that boy is.”
I glance toward the closed door.
“I had to threaten him to keep him out of here,” Rose says, smiling as she rubs my head again. “He woke up two days ago, and he’s been desperate to see you. Barely sleeping or leaving your side most days.”
“Sounds about right,” I say, affectionately.
She smirks. “You have some kind of hold over him, Briar,” she says, continuing to smirk as she glances over her shoulder. “Alright, boy.”
The door immediately creaks.
“You can come in now.”
The door opens as Silas walks in. His dark hair is a mess, his shirt wrinkled, and dark facial hair peppers his face, casting a shadow to line his jaw.
Even with his arm heavily bandaged and tucked into a sling, he stands tall and strong—as if the events have unfazed him. However, I know better. I can see the faint signs of worry settling deep in this demeanor.
“This is the first time I’ve ever waited for an invitation to enter your bedroom, I suppose.” He smiles, his face hard, but those beautiful eyes pierce into mine.
Rose huffs at that comment.
“This one is tough, but she’s a good guard dog.” He smiles, touching Rose’s shoulder.
Rose chuckles and moves toward the door, smiling like a proud mother taking her leave. “He will fill you in on everything. I’m going to check on the horse.”
She leaves, shutting the door behind her. The crashing sound of waves echoes throughout the room as we sit silently for a moment.
My eyebrows raise, “Horse? Myah and Xena. You got them?”
“Yes… and no.” Silas lowers his head, pausing momentarily. “Oak was only able to get one… Myah is here with us.”
My body goes rigid.
