“Agreed.”
My head shot to Kairen and he laughed weakly at the flush that flamed my cheeks. Roan pulled the blanket higher up on my body with a low growl, one arm curving around my waist as he tugged me back against him.
The prince eyed me for merely a moment before his golden gaze fixed to the ceiling. “My apologies for being anasslately, Potion Maker.”
Roan grunted.
“And I’m sorry if my jealousy caused any issues, though from what Taven mentioned, it seemed it was a kindling to your budding romance. Suppose I should get on board now, shouldn’t I?”
“If you don’t wish to get your ass handed to you again.” Roan’s remark was laced with annoyance, his hand tightening on the curve of my body. “So can you stop acting like a petulant child now and go back to being my friend?”
“Goddess,men,”Rena groaned, rolling to get more comfortable. “Can you all quiet your dramatics, I need to concentrate onnotbeing sick again.”
Still the tension seemed to ease, as though a truce had finally been met. I didn’t think Kairen quite trusted me, regarding me as though he knew something I did not, but the group fell into comfortable silence as we all warmed within the heat of the blankets. Roan's hand traced little patterns upon my hip as I pressed into his side, my head still resting on his chest.
And when the others fell back to sleep, I felt his lips press to my head. “I’ll be more careful.”
The vow was quiet, spoken more to the darkness than to me, but still a smile teased my lips. “You promise?”
“In every universe.”
“Until we are but stars in the sky,” I murmured back.
Chapter Thirty Six
My hands tore through my hair in frustration as I scribbled into the little book laid before me. Ingredients and recipes an endless list in my mind as the little travel cauldron bubbled atop the desk. Ever since finding out there is a chance the fever was a creation of man, every idle thought had been spent either working to replicate it, or trying to cure it.
My breath misted in the air even with the blazing fire in the hearth of my small inn room. Amori City grew cold in the winters, but it was nothing compared to the true north of the kingdom. Halsrad, while it was a verdant city of trade in the spring and summer, had vicious winters.
Warm fresh wool lined my body, clothing that had been purchased immediately upon our arrival in the town. They scratched and irritated my skin as I set to grinding down the goddess flower I’d purchased from a merchant only the day before. The town, while bare of trade with the winter seas being far too tumultuous for the ships to brave, was still lively with its occupants. The northern folk were gruff, but welcoming to those with coin to spend.
Bran and I had spent our first day—after warm baths and changing into fresh clothing—exploring and subtly asking after the woman named Misha. Our efforts proved unsuccessful, as everyone we encountered truly did not know the woman or simply didn’t wish to give away her whereabouts.
“You’re going to drive yourself mad.” I jumped at Rena’s voice, not hearing the door open. “You won’t find a cure holed up in this room, Syra. We have so little information.”
“We’re so close to the end of the quest and yet nowhere near where we need to be,” I groaned, my fingers tracing the little journal of scribbled notes and combinations I had been trying for the few days we had been staying here. Kairen had insisted we rest and recuperate before we ventured out into the cold forests to continue our travel.
I couldn’t rest though, not when I so desperately felt like I needed to be doingsomething.
“Come out to eat with us tonight,” she insisted, a smile curving her full lips. “A certain man has beenveryagitated since you forbade him from entering this room two nights ago.”
“He wasdistractingme.”
“I’m sure he was.” Her laugh was musical, teasing, and my cheeks flamed at the insinuation.
“Not likethat.”
Her hands rose, a placating gesture. “Whatever you say, but stillyou should join us for supper. Take a break, it’ll do you some good.”
A heavy sigh escaped me as I laid down the pestle and snuffed the flame beneath my cauldron. Perhaps she was right, maybe a break would clear my mind and I when returned fresh ideas would spark. “If you insist.”
Her arm linked through mine, as she lifted me from my seat, a victorious smile gracing her face. “Ido.”
The tavern meal was hearty—the broth flavorful, the meat tender and delicious. It reminded me of Rosie's stew that she would make every few weeks, and I had half a mind to ask the woman if she was from the northern region when we got back to Amori City.
Bran scarfed his down in minutes and I couldn’t help but wonder if he was as homesick as I was. If he craved the peaceful breakfasts at the kitchen table and the late nights of music and firemead as much as I did.
“Any progress on finding the woman Wraith mentioned?” Kairen asked, and immediately a collection of groans sounded. Clearly none of us were having any luck. With a sigh he glanced towards me. “What about your potions?”
