Page 110

Callan’s mouth presses into a thin line as he nods. “We go now. I willnae risk givin’ whoever another chance to find us.”

No one argues this time. Our group moves quickly, gathering their things in tense silence. But as we step into the night, Finn stays close beside me, his hand at my back.

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow, I’ll have more answers.

Finn’s fingers curl lightly around my arm, his warmth a quiet reassurance against the chill seeping into my bones. The weight of him at my side is the only thing keeping the gnawing uncertainty at bay.

Behind us, Callan, Bran, and Casey murmur in hushed voices, their words low and urgent, yet not so discreet as to escape my notice. Though I cannot make out the whole of their exchange, the clipped tones and sharp glances they throw over their shoulders betray their unease. It does little to quiet the disquiet thrumming in my chest.

Ask I continue walking at Finn’s side, another thought takes root deep within me, heavier than the rest, curling into the hollow spaces fear has left behind.

I hesitate, glancing toward Finn. The moon casts its pale glow over his features, turning the sharp lines of his face into something unreadable, almost unearthly. His grip on my arm tightens ever so slightly, the smallest gesture, yet enough to make my breath catch.

I swallow, my voice barely more than a whisper. “Finn… the others…”

His gaze snaps to mine, and I see it—the same fear twisting inside me reflected in his eyes. His voice is quiet, steady, but laced with something raw.

His fingers flex slightly around my arm, his voice just as quiet as mine. “I know, Little Doe. The same thought crossed my mind.”

A cold weight settles in my stomach.

If they faced the same danger… if they were hunted as we had been…

The mere thought of losing anyone else is enough to bring me to my knees.

I pray fate’s hand had not been crueler to them than it had been to us.

Well into the middle of the night, exhaustion finally forced us to stop. We found a place hidden well enough, concealed beneath the thick canopy of trees—no firelight to give us away.

After doing my best to clean my body, I stand at the edge of my tent, wringing my hands as Finn tends to Aisling. His movements are slow and methodical as he runs a hand down her neck, murmuring something too quiet for me to hear. The dim moonlight catches on the curve of his jaw, his focus so absolute it makes my request feel even more absurd.

I hesitate, the words caught somewhere between my heart and my throat.

“Finn,” I finally say, my voice barely louder than a whisper.

He glances up, his eyes immediately softening at the sight of me. “Aye, lass?”

I shift on my feet, my cheeks burn. “Would you sleep with me? In the tent, I mean.” The words tumbled out in a rush, and I can’t bring myself to meet his gaze. “Just for tonight.”

For a moment, he doesn’t answer, and I risk a glance at him. His brow furrows in a way that makes my chest tighten.

“You’re scared,” he says. Not a question, just a simple truth.

I nod, embarrassed, my arms folding around myself as though I can shield the vulnerability bleeding through me. “I just… I’d feel better if you were close.”

He crosses the space between us in a few quick strides, his presence grounding me before his hands even touch me. When they do, they are gentle, steady as they grip my shoulders. “If that’s what you want, it’s what ye’ll have,” he says, his voice quiet but resolute. “Ye’ve no reason to be embarrassed, Tri.”

I look up at him then, unsure if I’ve ever seen someone look at me in the same way he does—as if I am something worth protecting. The knot of tension in my chest eases, though my heart still pounds as his strong arms wrap around me, and the icy fear that grips me thaws.

“I’ll be right here,” he murmurs against the top of my head. “Always.”

And I believe him. It’s not a belief born of mere words. It’s in the way he holds me, as if the world could shatter around us and he’d still shield me with everything he is. The weight of his promise presses into my chest, a vow that thrums with quiet power. In that moment, I realise he’s not just offering comfort; he’s offering a piece of himself, raw and unwavering. And I take it greedily.

“Go on inside,” Finn says gently, pulling back just enough to meet my eyes. “Lie down and try to rest. I’ll not be far behind.”

Nodding, I turn and slip into the tent, the cool air inside wrapping around me as I settle onto the blankets.