Page 27 of Joy Guardian
“And now you’re sounding like the Joy Vessel Keepers back at thesarai.”
“But isn’t it true? Can you cross the desert in five days without stopping? How about food, water, rest, sleep, bathroom breaks?” He lifted a hand and bent a finger for each of my “maintenance” needs. “A fae can function for a while without any of those. I can walk all this way without sleep and survive without food. But you would die.”
When compared to the shadow fae, humans indeed needed a lot, and they needed it frequently.
“I’m sorry.” I hugged my arms, my resolve melting away. “I don’t want to be a burden to you on this journey.”
He heaved a heavy breath, saying nothing.
I turned away, looking out into the desert. The city of Kalmena was out there somewhere. At least in thesaraithere was an entire army of Keepers to take care of my many “maintenance” needs. They wouldn’t set me free, but they’d keep me alive.
Except that what was the point in that kind of life? Was it even worth living?
Warm, large palms landed on my shoulders.
“You’re never a burden, Ciana,” he said just above my ear.
I pressed a cheek to his hand on my shoulder.
“Returning to thesaraifeels so final, Kurai. I’m afraid if I do, I’ll be trapped there forever. Then I’ll spend the rest of my days getting drunk, being stuffed with food, and touched by the Keepers to stimulate every kind of pleasure for all the councilors, generals, and other royal favorites.” I exhaled a short laugh. “Not the worst life to have, I suppose.”
“It is if that’s not what you want.”
“Honestly?” I turned around to face him. “I’d rather take my chances in the desert with no water for ten days.”
“You wouldn’t make it without water for that long,” he said. “Thankfully, we’re not entirely without it.”
He crouched by one of the tall narrow rocks that jutted out of the sand. Moving a flat stone at its base aside, he dug in the sand, then pulled out a large canvas satchel. Woven in a symmetrical chevron pattern, the satchel had a row of tassels on the bottom and a wide shoulder strap on top.
“Where did this come from?” I stepped back as he dropped the bag at his feet.
“We hid it here a while ago. As part of my emergency escape plan.”
“Who arewe?Or is that also something that’s best for me not to know?”
“Yes, it’s best not to. In this case, ignorance may save lives. But…” He bent over and opened the satchel, showing me the corked top of a water bag. “See? We’ve got some supplies. It’s not enough water to keep you properly hydrated for ten days, but it should last until we can refill it in a well on the way. Now…” He pulled out a piece of fabric from the bag. “We’d better get on our way before the guards figure out where to look for me.”
He opened his belt and…took off his skirt.
It happened too fast for me to avert my eyes. As if drawn by a magnet, my gaze immediately slipped to his crotch. It was perfectly smooth, with not a hair or a dick in sight.
“Um…” I gaped, unable to tear my eyes away from his unusual area.
He didn’t seem to notice my staring, unfolding the piece of the lightweight, dark material he’d taken out of the satchel. Next, he wrapped his new skirt around his hips and secured it with a belt under the top layer.
“The desert is unkind to those who travel it unprepared,” he explained, then took a pair of long boots made from a leather so thin and soft, it allowed for them to be rolled into a bundle. “Give me your foot.”
“What for?” I asked, lifting my right foot to him.
He grabbed my ankle and placed the sole of the boot to my foot. It extended by quite a bit. The boots were clearly made in his size, not mine.
Frowning, he unrolled the boot and measured it against my leg. It reached up to my hip.
“It wouldn’t do. They’re too high for you to walk comfortably.”
“But I already have shoes.” I rotated my ankle, displaying my sandal.
“These won’t take you far through the sand.”
