This part of Tarrobane is so peaceful, as if it’s untouched by war and hatred. I know the truth, though. How the six tribes have quarreled for a long time. The scars are on all our hearts, even if this section of Tarrobane doesn’t bear the proof.
The winding paths lead us through narrow canyons and past steep cliffs that drop off to reveal stunning valleys below.
Three weeks after leaving the fortress, we camp near a small stream. The men set up tents that the merchants gave us, while Everly and I prepare food over an open fire. Earlier, two of the men had split away and hunted rabbits for us.
The scent wafts to my nose, making my stomach growl in anticipation. I glance over at Everly, who is stirring the pot of rabbit stew. She pulled her hair back into a braid and pushed her sleeves up past her elbows. Despite the grime on her face and sweat on her brow, she looks genuinely happy.
She adds wild spices she gathered during the day, her movements precise and practiced. When she catches me staring, she grins at me.
“Are you hungry?” she asks, handing me a terracotta bowl filled with steaming stew.
I nod eagerly and take a bite. “It’s fantastic.” My thoughts shift to Kassandra, and how she used to always make such wonderful bread for me.
“I wish we had bread,” Everly says, as if she understands my thoughts.
“Bread would be wonderful.”
Everly and Tersah sit next to me on large rocks, while the men gather around us. Their eyes gleam in the firelight, and their hands move quickly as they eat Everly’s delicious food.
Quinn’s brother, Callum, is the first to speak. “This is fantastic,” he says, smacking his lips together.
I smile as a wave of harmony washes over me. It’s been a while since I have been this relaxed, like I’m part of something bigger than myself.
Maybe I am.
Or maybe I’m simply happy to be so close to Hector.
I push against the ache in my chest. It’s always there. Always a constant reminder that I need to be near him. Over the last few weeks, I have tried to ignore it. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to focus on surviving, but now, I allow myself to think about him.
My heart thuds as I press my hands harder against my chest, feeling Hector’s sadness. It’s deeper today, more painful, as if a serrated knife tears through his skin, ripping him apart.
[Hector. I’m so sorry.]
Silence follows my thoughts, my longing to hear him.
[I’m so close to you. So close. And…]I squeeze my eyes shut and take a deep breath. [I miss you so much.]
[Where are you?]
I blink at the sound of his voice in my ears and look around me, taking in the cliffs, the barren landscape.
[Near Hematite land.]
[Sol…]His voice breaks off as if it pains him to speak my name.
“I have thought about you and Hector a lot lately,” Every says, drawing my focus to her.
I stab my fingers into my left palm as intense guilt embeds into my chest. For leaving him. For hurting him. For inflicting this pain deep into his soul.
Orange and red shadows dance across her face as speaks. “Are you anxious about what will happen when you see him again?”
“Yes.” Worried, I will run into his arms, and he will push me away. Worried, I will not be able to handle that rejection. Worried, something will make me run again.
She shifts to place her bowl on the ground near her feet. “He will probably be hurt and angry at first, then he will throw his arms around you.”
Tersah, who I didn’t realize had been listening, leans closer and grins. “And then, he’ll bed you.”
Warmth blooms over my body as I think of being all alone in a tent with Hector. He would kiss me. I would grip his hips and pull him close enough to feel his heat, his power. Then, I would give myself to him.
