“Her silent treatment is going to go on for centuries. You know that, right? Remember that time I accidentally broke her cane?”
“You’re still a fool for that, you know?”
I scratched my chin. “Don’t start. It was an accident and she doesn’t even need the damn thing. At least she’s keeping an eye on Quill.”
“Aw, look at you being mature about it. You know she’ll come around eventually. Especially now that you’ve got Aldus sending supplies to Thea’s underground network. Minnie’s always hada heart for the mortals even if she pretends not to. Probably because they don’t know what she is.”
“I’m not sureweknow what she is, Tuck.”
A twig snapped behind us, and we both turned to find Archer perched on a fallen log, methodically untangling what appeared to be blue yarn.
“Don’t mind me,” he said without looking up. “Just trying to salvage what’s left of my dignity. And possibly make a scarf.”
I arched an eyebrow at the mess in his hands. “That’s meant to be a scarf?”
“You know, for someone who claims to be all-knowing, you’re remarkably judgmental about my life choices.” He held up the yarn with a frustrated sigh. “Though in this case, you might have a point.”
“Shouldn’t you be training with the Salt?” Tuck asked. “I told your… The king you’d be there today.”
“Shouldn’tyoube delivering mysterious packages and pretending not to be a god?” Archer shot back, but his usual playful tone felt forced. His eyes kept darting toward the field behind the house.
“What is it?” I asked, already knowing I wouldn’t like the answer.
He set aside his yarn, all pretense of humor falling away. “She’s out there again. But it’s different this time. The Remnants are… agitated. More than usual. I can almost feel them. It’s pretty bad.”
“How long?”
“Aren’t youpatrolling? You didn’t notice?”
I shot him a look that was anything but friendly.
“About an hour.” He stood, brushing grass from his trousers. “I tried to get close, but the shadows nearly took my head off. Figured that might be a sign to get backup.”
“And you came to me? I’m touched.”
“Well, Thea’s busy with the Underground, and Quill’s hanging out with Minnie inside again, so my options were limited.” He ran a hand through his hair, a nervous gesture I’d seen Paesha make countless times. “Be careful, all right? She’s not herself today.”
I started toward the field, but Archer caught my arm. “I mean it, Thorne. Whatever’s happening in her head right now, it’s not the usual stuff. I mean it is, but…”
“Since when are you the expert on what’s usual for her?”
“Since I became magically bound to protect her, you arrogant ass.” But there was no real heat in his words. “Besides, someone has to look out for her when you’re busy brooding in corners and straightening picture frames.”
“I do not brood.”
“You absolutely brood. It’s your default setting.” He fell into step beside me, absently fiddling with the sleeve covering his Treeis mark. “Though I suppose if I’d spent centuries pining after someone, I’d be broody too.”
“Shouldn’t you be failing at another hobby by now? Perhaps interpretive dance?”
“Already tried it. Turns out I’m actually quite good.” He grinned, but it faded as we neared the field. “Remember, she’s fighting her own battles in there. Sometimes being supported is better than being saved.”
“When did you get so wise?”
“Yesterday.” He clapped me on the shoulder. “I’ll keep Tuck occupied. Maybe teach him how to make a decent sandwich.”
“Is that what you’re calling those monstrosities?”
“Those are works of art, thank you very much.” He started to turn away, then paused. “Oh, and Thorne? If you make things worse, I get to say I told you so.”
