He glances away, toward the infinite nothing. If there’s an explanation, he swallows it down with all his other secrets. “We need to build a fire. There is no telling what sort of monsters lurk in this unknown place.”
Another valid point. All those haunting tales about the Unseelie lands had to come from somewhere.
We’re in no man’s land, between worlds. A place where fae have never dared to venture. What if we can’t get out? What if we’re stuck here forever?
I push to my feet, but the moment I put weight on my ankle, pain shoots up my leg, which is bloody brilliant. Maddox rolls to his feet with another groan, his gaze lifting toward the dark canopy above us, as if he can see through the leaves to where we once stood.
As Maddox scans the night, I listen for sounds of monsters, not that I know what monsters sound like. Surely, they must growl or hiss or howl.
“There is a river nearby,” he says. “Where there is water, there is life.”
Or, in our case, possible death.
“Shouldn’t we be finding somewhere safe to stay?” Somewhere a little more protected than this broken tree in the middle of nothing?
Unsheathing his dagger from his belt, Maddox crouches down and strikes the blade against what I assume is a piece of flint. “Where would you suggest? Do you have a house at the bottom of this canyon?”
Things are bad enough without sarcastic Maddox coming out to join us. “There’s no need for the tone.”
Blowing out a breath, he strikes the flint a second time. A few measly sparks flicker, then vanish. “Walking in darkness can be treacherous. We do not know which way to go and are liable to wander straight into a wolf’s den.”Strike. Spark. Strike. Spark. Strike. Spark.
This time, the spark catches, growing into a small flame as it consumes what looks like moss. I stare like a useless stump while Maddox scavenges the darkness, collecting sticks and twigs, using them to build a little pyramid over the small blaze.
“Do you really think there might be wolves down here?”
Light flares across his face when he leans down to blow on the flames. “Yes.”
Tell me we didn’t survive the fall only to be a wolf’s dinner.
“Must you be so matter-of-fact?” There’s probably no way to sugarcoat the presence of wolves, but he could’ve at least tried.
I sink back to the ground, hugging my knees to my chest, feeling like I’ve been thrown into a sack and kicked by the whole of Willowhaven’s army. My throbbing ankle certainly isn’t helping matters.
“You would prefer I lie to you again?” He shakes his head. “Seelie fae do not make any sense.”
“Says the man who jumped into a canyon.”
His lips press into a thin line. Angry flames lick hungrily at fresh fuel as he continues to feed the fire small debris.
I guess that means he doesn’t want to talk about it.
I’ll give him tonight, but tomorrow, we are absolutely going to discuss the reason behind his recklessness.
Thank heavens he was reckless, though. If I were alone, I wouldn’t survive a night. I don’t even know how to build a fire without the small bundles of firelighters they sell at the market and the box of matches above the mantle.
If I had to be lost with anyone, I’m glad it’s Maddox.
My stomach rumbles, and I clutch my knees a little tighter. If only I’d gone back to the bakery instead of the pub.
Seeming content with our small fire, Maddox settles down beside me. From his other pocket, he withdraws a leather pouch with a bunch of brown twigs inside. “This should stem the hunger.”
How? They’re tiny.
What I wouldn’t give for a hot biscuit oozing with melted butter and honey right about now. Or some crispy fried potatoes seasoned with olive oil and thyme.
“What’s in it?”
His brows lift. “Do you really want to know?”
