“Why not? The result is the same.”
“But the intention isn’t. Your intent was to save a person’s life.”
She seemed surprised. “How did you know?”
“Because it’s you. You will do everything you can to save a life.”
“But—”
“Tell me I’m wrong.”
Avry tried. Explaining what led up to the “horrible thing,” she never mentioned anything he’d consider even bad. Her actions were logical, practical and kind—Avry to a tee.
“...and now Flea is freaked out and avoiding me.” She hunched down as if guilt pressed on her shoulders.
“He’s young. He doesn’t understand. Unless you’re planning on creating a whole army of them...?”
She gave him a flat stare.
“I didn’t think so. Concentrate on the positive. This is an opportunity for us to learn more about Tohon’s creations. Does Ryne know?”
“Probably.”
“He’ll know what to do with...Yuri. In the meantime, don’t let this affect you. There was no way you could have predicted that would have happened. Unless you can see into the future...?”
Another sour look, but he suspected her heart wasn’t in it.
“Too bad, because that would come in handy right now.”
“Like who will win this war?” she asked.
“I’m thinking more of the immediate future. I would ask my beautiful prophetess if I will get lucky tonight.” He stroked her arm and twined his fingers with hers, drawing her toward him.
“I know the answer to that.” A sly smile tugged on her full lips.
“Do tell.”
She leaned closer and whispered in his ear, “Not tonight.”
Kerrick pouted.
Avry slid her arms around him. “Your prophetess says you’re getting lucky now. Estrid can wait.” She nuzzled his neck with her nose, pressing her body against his.
Heat flushed through him. He shifted to lie back onto the ground, taking Avry with him. Now side by side, Kerrick kissed her deeply. His hands slipped under her tunic, seeking skin as he proceeded to make her prediction come true.
CHAPTER 10
Snuggled next to Kerrick, I allowed my worries and fears to disappear. All that mattered was he’d survived the Death Lily toxin. We’d overcome his limitations. And if not, then I’d live with him in the forest. Better than living without him.
I stretched and pushed up on my right elbow. We’d both fallen into an exhausted sleep soon after our reunion. The sun hung low in the sky, which meant we’d slept through the afternoon.
My body still tingled pleasantly. I would have enjoyed the view of his muscular chest, but he blended in with the ground. So did I. As long as I touched him, my skin matched the forest’s colors.
My stomach growled, reminding me I hadn’t eaten since...I’d no idea. And Kerrick’s recovery had taken a toll on him. His hip bones stuck out.
Kerrick mumbled when I untangled my legs and broke skin contact to search for my clothes. They hadn’t gone far. Our lovemaking had been slow and intense, unlike our last reunion, which had been fast and passionate. I dressed and had to sweep my hands over the ground to find him again.
He snagged my wrist and yanked me close. “Don’t go.”
“Estrid’s waiting and I’ll bring food if there’s any left. Loren’s making his road stew.”
He grumbled, but released my arm and once again turning invisible.
I hesitated. “You won’t—”
“I’ll stay right here unless an enemy patrol comes through,” Kerrick said. “Then I’ll lead them away from the cave and double back.”
His words were sincere, yet the knot in my chest refused to loosen. “We should leave after full dark. It’ll be safer. We need to catch up to my team and deliver Estrid to Ryne. Do you have any idea where he is?”
“No, but I can find him with my tree mojo.”
I smiled over Quain’s term for Kerrick’s magic. As I strode away, my worries and fears returned, including the new one—that Kerrick wouldn’t be there when I returned. Especially since I could only feel his magic when he used it to look normal. I paused and turned around.
Kerrick appeared. He shooed me away. “I’m already missing you.”
The monkeys, Eva, and Flea slept, but Estrid stared at the fire. Loren’s stew pot rested on a few glowing embers and my mouth watered. Estrid watched me as I filled a bowl with the steaming goodness.
I sat next to the High Priestess. “Did they fill you in?” I asked her between bites, pitching my voice low so I didn’t wake the others.
She turned her gaze to me. “Yes, except they wouldn’t tell me why Prince Ryne would risk so much to rescue me. Will you?”
“I think you should hear it from him.”
“What if we’re captured?” Her voice cracked with fear and echoed loudly against the stone walls.
I agreed, that thought was unpalatable. “Then we’ll have other things to worry about.”