“We can do this,” Tiernan says. “One step and one day at a time.”
I nod. “I hope so.”
The uncomfortable buzzing subsides. There’s the slightest shimmer where the wards are, then it disappears. Oksana gives me an encouraging look and smiles. I wave to her and signthank you,and she returns a slow nod.
Our travel party stares out at the rolling green hills and the plethora of sheep and goats wandering about. Ava looks toward us, signing, “Ready?”
We all nod in agreement and set off on our mission.
Chapter 25
Wide pastures fallbehind us as the afternoon brings scattered trees and trodden pathways through the grassy knolls. We’re somewhere outside of Moicriach, the village where we discovered that Osheen had betrayed us all. My heart pounds as we ride on. I focus as best as I can on the path ahead, not on the climb of our horses over these hills or the painful reminder of the fallout to end all fallouts with my former best friend.
We travel past patches of grass that look almost as if the earth has been scorched. Past withered flowers and browning bushes. Briefly, we pause at a river to replenish our resources and wash up before we continue onward until we’re just outside of a small village when night falls.
We find a place where the trees are slightly more condensed—just enough to offer us some coverage. My whole body is already sore, and my head aches. Hopefully it’s something that rest can help remediate. As we dismount and everyone begins to set up their bedrolls, I turn to Tiernan as he lights a mage lantern and hangs it off Ghendor’s pommel. “Are you alright?” he gestures.
Everything hurts—especially my back—but I don’t want to worry him. “Yes. Just tired,” I sign.
He begins to unstrap our packs from Ghendor while his gaze is still locked on me. There’s that knowinglook in his eyes I’ve come to recognize too well. “How’s your back?” he asks.
I squint at him. “That’s unfair.”
He grins as he slings the pack over his shoulder and grabs the lantern. The movement of shadows around us reminds me, quite painfully, that we’re not alone. I’ve gotten far too used to the moments of quiet and privacy back in the Verge. Oh, how I miss those moments already, and oh, how I miss Taig. I hope he’s doing well—I’m sure he is.
We roll out our sleep sacks beside Chiyo’s, and Sloan lays theirs out on our other side. We exchange a few brief pleasantries before Sloan mentions they’re going to take the first watch with Ava.
“How are you feeling?” Chiyo signs to me, her words hard to see in the dim lantern light.
“So far so good,” I reply. “You?”
“Same. I hope we can get some rest out here.”
I squint at her hands and then nod, smiling.
“Good night, Durvla.”
“Good night.”
I watch as she rolls onto her side, facing away from me. Immediately, I feel the familiar presence of Tiernan’s mind reaching out to mine. “I can take care of that for you, if you’d like,” he says.
I turn back to him, a question in my expression.
“Your back.”He holds up his hands, the faintest glow on his fingertips. “Am I using this as an excuse to get my hands on you? Maybe.”
I nearly choke on my stifled laughter as my cheeks and stomach fill with heat. I know I shouldn’t be embarrassed, but this man so often makes me feel like I could lose control. It’s not a sensation I’m used to. Especially after years of practicedrestraint and concealment. I have a habit of suppressing what I feel and how I truly want to react to a situation.
Tiernan’s brows are raised, a quizzical look on his face. “Gods, woman, you really need to give your mind a rest sometimes.”
My cheeks twitch as I try to resist smiling, but I lose the battle.
“Just a massage. If you’d be so kind as to lie down on your front.”
I glance around at the others. “Wouldn’t that be awkward?”
“What on earth do you think I have in mind?”
I nearly laugh again, but I can’t bring myself to be massaged in front of everyone.
