Page 20 of In Your Light

Oh.

Another stickler for rules and obedience. It surprised Fyn, if he was being honest, because Sawyer hadn’t seemed that way. “Oh. Sure. I know what that is. We, uh.... We don’t live in the human world, so I’m not sure if your rules apply to me.”

“No, no,” Sawyer said, smiling as he got closer. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Am I in trouble? It seems to find me. Or rather, I find it, apparently.”

Sawyer’s smile softened, and Fyn’s gaze darted to Ciaran, who was now walking toward them too. He was the consortium leader, another rule maker. Another reason this had not been a great idea.

“Hey,” Sawyer murmured gently. He waited until Fyn looked at him before he spoke again. “You’re not in any trouble at all. Me being a cop just means I’m good at reading people, and I can see something’s bothering you. Is everything okay in your camp? You said Pax will have your hide and that you need to face the music. If it’s not safe for you to return home....”

Sawyer’s stark blue eyes seemed to see right through Fyn. It was a little unnerving. “I, uh... I disobeyed his order, so it’s my fault, really. But I couldn’t let—” He stopped himself just shy of saying Hadeom’s name.

“Couldn’t let what?” Ciaran prompted.

“Cern’s friend, who’s staying at the hut,” Fyn said. “Cern asked me to take him food, and Pax said no.”

“Pax is mad that you took food to someone?” Sawyer asked.

“Well, technically he’ll be mad that I left at all. But yeah, that I took Cern’s friend some food, because he’d specifically told me not to. And now he’ll be angry that I’ve come here as well.” Fyn shrugged. “But I’m not going to see Cern’s friend starve. So, yeah, I snuck out this morning. Pax is really gonna be mad at me.”

“For providing food to a man who is stuck in a remote hut with no other means of sustenance,” Sawyer clarified. “It sounds to me as if you did the right thing.”

Ciaran made a noise that made Sawyer look at him. “You don’t agree?”

Ciaran winced. “Whether I agree or not is not important.”

“I beg to differ,” Sawyer said. “Whether you agree with denying someone food or not is very important.”

Ciaran winced. “No, not that,” he said, trying to explain. “Of course it is, but it’s a matter between Fyn and his herd, and not one we should interfere with.”

“Ciaran,” Sawyer began.

“We have a pact,” Ciaran said. “A pact that specifically states that we shall not interfere in each other’s affairs.”

“Please don’t argue,” Fyn said, trying to shrink back. “Not on account of me. I shouldn’t have said anything. Please don’t worry⁠—”

Sawyer waved his hand. “Oh, we’re not arguing. We disagree on many things, but never for long. Just until Ciaran admits he’s wrong.”

Ciaran sighed, but Fyn could see the warmth with which he looked at Sawyer. It made Fyn’s heart ache.

Ciaran smirked at Fyn. “He’s wrong more often than me. But the pact between us⁠—”

“If you need asylum,” Sawyer interrupted, looking directly at Fyn. “If you are not safe at home, you are welcome here. Pact or not, your safety supersedes any treaty. And I’m sure Cern would agree.”

Fyn was hit with an emotional wave of gratitude and relief. “Thank you.” He almost didn’t dare to look at Ciaran, not because he felt weak or vulnerable, but because he didn’t want Ciaran to revoke Sawyer’s offer.

Sawyer nudged Ciaran with his elbow.

“Of course,” Ciaran said. “Of course you’re welcome here. If you’d like me to speak to Pax...”

“Oh no,” Fyn said quickly. “That won’t be necessary.” And it would very probably make things worse, Fyn thought, but he didn’t say that out loud. “But perhaps I should go back now. I should try and speak with him at least. If I’m back here by sundown, you’ll know it didn’t go well.”

Sawyer put his hand on Fyn’s arm. “Okay. But the man staying at the hut. Does he need anything? We can deliver some food and leave it on the jetty for him. He doesn’t have to see us or speak to us. Just food, maybe some matches and firewood. I know he has the forest, but it’s so wet, and we have a supply here. You said he was there to rest and heal, yes? Does he need medical supplies?”

Fyn smiled at him. “No, I think he’s okay. What he’s healing from isn’t physical as such. It’s his heart and mind, I think. He’s very tired, and he, uh, he said not to tell you guys about him. Not his name, at least. But I don’t think that’s his request. I think it’s part of Cern’s disclosure, but I’m not too sure. He seems nice. I even made him smile, so....”

Sawyer’s eyes met Fyn’s, sparkling with curiosity, and he smiled. “You like him?”