My eyes fly open asIput a hand to my midsection.Goddess, where didthatcome from?
I open my eyes at once and look around.
The fire has been built back up, flames dancing bright and steady, and over it, skewered on a spit, is a small bird—its skin browned and crisping, juices dripping down into the coals with a soft hiss.
“Goddess,”Ibreathe, pushing myself up on my elbows.“Thatsmells so good!”
“Tastes good too.”Theronglances over at me from where he’s crouched near the fire.“Tookyou long enough to wake up,” he rumbles, but there’s a hint of amusement in his voice.“Helpyourself.”
BeforeIcan even sit up properly, he’s already moving—quick and efficient.Heslices off a portion of the bird and lays it on a broad green leaf, steam rising from the meat in fragrant curls.
“Here,” he says, handing it to me.“Eatup.”
“Oh, thank you,”Isay, taking it carefully.
It’s hot—almost too hot—butIcan’t wait.Itear off a piece and pop it into my mouth, letting out a soft sound of surprise as the flavor blooms across my tongue.
“Oh…”Iblink at him.“Thisisincredible.”
He huffs softly, clearly pleased with himself.
“Found some wild herbs,” he says.“Figuredthey’d help.”
They do,”Iassure him quickly, taking another bite.“It’sthe best thingI’veever eaten.”
And itis.Themeat is tender and juicy, the herbs adding a brightness that makes every bite better than the last.Ihadn’t realized how hungryIwas—not just for food, but for something warm and real and comforting to put in my belly.
I eat quickly at first, then slow down, trying to savor it.
Theron watches me asIdo, his tarnished silver eyes intent in a way that makes my cheeks warm slightly.Helooks like a male animal watching his female feast on meat that he hunted for her—it’s a strange mental image but oneIcan’t get rid of.
“I hopeIdidn’t eat too much,”Isay after a moment, licking my fingers clean.“Didyou get enough?IguessIshould have asked that before.Iwas just sohungry.”
He rumbles laughter.
“Don’t worry about me, sweetheart,” he says, his voice low and easy.“Iate three deer in myDrakeform—I’mfull.”
He pats his stomach, which is as flat and hard as ever.
I stare at him.
“Three?”
He shrugs.
“I was hungry, too.”
I laugh softly, shaking my head.
“Well,Isuppose that solvesthatproblem.”
“It does,” he agrees.“Youjust eat your fill.Thenwe’re heading for theWesternWilds.”
“TheGrandfatherTree,”Isay, a little thrill of anticipation running through me.
“Uh-huh,” he says.“That’sthe one.Nextto last quest—let’s hope it’s not too hard.”
OnceI’vefinished every last bite,Icarry the leaf down to the edge of the river and rinse my hands and mouth.Thewater is cold—still a little intimidating after what happened yesterday—but calmer now, as though theSacredRiverhas settled back into itself.
