Chapter 52 Ro #3
“I told you I need to find answers. Leadership is hiding the importance of the trip to Argora Vale from the camp. I heard them talk about it. They’re looking for something and if I can figure out what it is, I bet I can go home, and Braxius can give more info about the curse to my people.
” The weight of that hung in the air, and even though it was the one thing I came here for, the thought of leaving left a taste of dread in my mouth.
Not for this place I’d be leaving, but who I would be leaving behind.
“They expect us to capture someone,” he said, insinuating I didn’t already take that into account.
“There won’t be anyone to catch.” A smug smile spread across my lips.
“Explain,” he seethed.
“My camp is in contact with residents from Argora Vale. They’ve evacuated Devera.
Volunteering is a good look for me, and I know there won’t be anyone there to kidnap.
It also gives me the cover I need to investigate their affairs.
” Maybe I shouldn’t have worn a cocky smile, seeing as Dae still seemed so furious over the idea.
“Someone burned your tent. I can’t be sure it wasn’t The Eleven, and if you walk with them into the decaying veins of the Black Pool, they can disintegrate you in a second.” He snapped his fingers for emphasis. “You’re not safe with them.”
“Well, I’m not safe here either.” We were having a standoff. Is it technically a standoff when one party planned on doing what they wanted, anyway? “Dae, I didn’t stop you when you put yourself in danger. I trusted you, and your reasons without knowing them. You at least know mine.”
The tension on his face softened. This wasn’t a battle of wills, not like when I tried convincing Radhak or Ravinder about the best course of action or plan of attack. They cared about the mission. Dae cared about me.
These were different waters to navigate.
I let my arms fall beside me, relaxed, before closing the space between us.
I slid my hands up his chest and grasped my wrist behind his neck.
My pulse quickened when his hands moved to my hips in such a natural, comfortable way.
“You stay here. Do what you need to for your brothers.”
“I already did what I can. I used the message system we have in place to warn them that The Order suspects their location.”
“They do?” Tension wrinkled my brow.
He nodded. “They’ve had a couple close calls before, but I’m nervous about this one. They’re cornered in Basemount. They won’t be able to move in time once they receive the communication, so they’ll have to hide.” Sorrow filled his statements.
I swallowed, recalling the panic that flowed through me when I thought Rahana had been under attack. All Dae could do was wait now. Maybe it was the best move for him to come with me, to offer some sort of distraction.
“How long until you know their status?” My thumbs brushed along the back of his neck, the only support I could offer.
“Only once the team reports back. Could be weeks…”
I drew him into a hug.
“When do we leave?”
I sighed, rearing my head back from Dae to peer over his shoulder at the chair. “I’m sorry, Braxy. We’ll be side by side with The Order leaders.”
“What?” Dae looked over his shoulder at the tiny blue creature.
“He wants to go.”
“Maybe he should.”
“See! I knew I liked him.”
“Absolutely not! It’s not safe,” I snapped.
Dae wore a smug grin that slowly spread across his lips.
I tilted my head to the side. “You know what I mean.”
“Do I?”
“Yeah, do you?”
“That’s enough out of you,” I sniped at Braxius.
“You said you might find the information that would help you, yeah? Well if you do, and he’s there, he’ll have a more direct route to your people. We might all be able to leave…” His gaze briefly wandered, like he was envisioning a different version of our lives.
“Would you be willing to leave this all behind?” I asked gently, knowing his weighted purpose for being here in the first place.
Dae straightened, peering around his tent in assessment. “Maybe it doesn’t make sense to stay any longer.”
“Are you sure?” I tenderly swiped my thumb along his bristly jaw.
He brought those dazzling dark eyes back to me. “No.”
I saw it all over his face, the uncertainty. The risk he knew he’d be taking if he left, the damage he wouldn’t be able to undo if he deserted.
“If Braxius can get a message to Rahana before the month’s end, maybe I come back here…”
“Like hell you will.” He looked at me like I’d lost my mind. Maybe I had.
Inhaling a steady breath, I allowed my fair fingers to trace the rich brown tone of his cheekbone. “You’re helping me keep my people safe, and I should do the same for you.”
He squeezed my hand. “The second you can leave this place, you do it. Do you hear me?” His breathing deepened, and I saw the doubt skirt across his eyes. He didn’t know if he could actually make himself leave.
My heart twisted uncomfortably at the thought of separating. A physical pain. “Well maybe if we find a way out on this trip, we get a group from Rahana and head to Basemount and bring everyone back.”
He brought his forehead down to mine. “Let’s pray the gods are on our side for that.”
Reluctance. Fear. The pain of hope. He carried it all, exuding it all with his firm hold around the back of my neck and my hip. I couldn’t help but feel the same.