Taste of Darkness

Kerrick didn’t want to wait. “They won’t disturb us now. Even      they can figure that out.”

“Should we tell the monkeys and Flea about you?”

“Yes, they need to know. But not Estrid or Eva.”

“Agreed.” She chewed on her lower lip. “Let me try something      before I go.” Avry took his hand in both of hers.

Her magic spread through him with a soothing warmth. He      resisted soaking it in and reenergizing.

“You’re not sick, just exhausted. Hmm... I sense the connection      you have to the living green. Oh.” She released his hand.

“What?”

“I think if your link to the living green was broken...” Avry      paused.

Kerrick braced for bad news. He’d memorized her every      expression, her every mannerism. The way her long graceful fingers worried the      sleeve of her tunic said more than her words.

“It’s just a guess, but that bond is keeping you alive,” she      said.

No surprise. “Break it and I die.”

“Perhaps. This is...unprecedented. I’m sure we’ll figure it      out.”

“Yeah, add it on the list right after defeat Cellina’s army,”      he grumbled.

“Remember when the Peace Lily saved me?” Avry took his hand      again.

A strange change in subject, but he trusted her. “Of course.”      It had been the best moment of Kerrick’s entire life.

“And I wondered why it saved me and how. Do you recall what you      said?”

“I said I didn’t know nor care. That I considered it a      gift.”

Avry pressed his palm against her cheek. “This is exactly the      same thing. I consider it a gift.”

He caressed her smooth skin with his thumb. “I also remember      how we celebrated.” Heat built deep within Kerrick. He slid his hand to her      neck, pulling her against him.

She gazed up at him. “We were alone then.”

“We’re alone now. No one within...” He concentrated, letting      his senses extend throughout the forest. “A couple miles.”

“Did the living green tell you that?” she asked.

“No. I’m part of the forest, I just...know.” It was hard to      explain.

“You told me before it has a voice.”

“It does, but with this...” Kerrick gestured to the surrounding      forest. “It doesn’t need to say anything.”

“What does it sound like?”

“It’s neither male nor female. I hear it in my head. Why?”

“The Lilys speak to me the same way, and I wondered if perhaps      it was the living green instead.” Her gaze grew distant. “No, it’s another      consciousness. Otherwise the Death Lily would have known where you were.” Her      forehead crinkled. “That means there are three living beings that can      communicate. I wonder if there are more.”

He loved watching her puzzle out a problem. “I thought you said      the Peace Lilys didn’t talk to you.”

Pain creased her face. “Twice now. Once after Noelle died.”

“Sorry, I’ve forgotten.”

Avry shook her head. “So much had happened while you were in      the north, and again in the last month.”

“When was the second time?”

A mix of emotions flashed before Avry said, “I’ve done a      horrible thing, Kerrick.”

He wrapped his arms around her. “Impossible.”

“But you don’t—”

“Have you refused to heal someone in need?”

“No, but—”

“Have you put your well-being ahead of another?”

“No, but I—”

“Have you ignored a plea for help?”

“Kerrick—”

“Have you harmed a small furry animal?”

“Now you’re being—”

“Have you slept with another man?”

“Kerrick!”

Her face reddened in what he hoped was outrage and not guilt.      “What? I’m thinking of horrible things. That’s one.”

Avry straightened, breaking his hold. “Well, here’s another      one. Have you animated the dead?”

He searched her expression. No humor sparked in her eyes. He      thought back to their conversation. They’d been talking about Peace Lilys.      “Animated like Flea?”

“No, like one of Tohon’s. Are you going to add that to the      horrible list?”

Torn between being impressed by her ability and wishing to      comfort her, Kerrick chose his words carefully. “Tohon’s, yes, but not      yours.”