19. Clear the air #2
“I am sorry as well. For what happened,” he said after a while.
“You may have lashed out, but I provoked you, and I said things I shouldn’t have.
It wasn’t my place to tell you what to do.
If your time with the Crovan elder was important to you, I should have respected that.
” He stared into the flames as he talked.
“Thank you, Felix,” she mumbled, staring at his face.
“Everything that happened that day… running off, Leif getting hurt… It was stupid. I was stupid.”
She shifted a little closer to him, watching the firelight trace his features. “I don’t think you’re stupid,” she said softly.
He smiled at that, but it was a wry sort of smile that did not reach his eyes.
She nudged his shoulder with hers. “I think you’re really nice.”
He turned to her and blinked, his brows raised.
Isolde was suddenly very aware of how close she was sitting.
It was as if she watched herself from the inside, unable to fully control what she did next.
And, Triad above, she was flirting with him like a tavern wench.
Her governess would expire if she knew. “I mean it,” she said, her voice slow and syrupy.
Felix tilted his head. Then his hand came up, and his fingers brushed along the ley marking on her neck, his thumb tracing a line of fire on the edge of her jaw. She shivered, her eyelids fluttering closed. Breath caught in her throat, and she swayed a little where she sat, leaning in towards him.
“You should get some sleep, Isa.”
Her stomach sank. She blinked her eyes open, staring at him. He smiled. It wasn’t mocking or teasing, but warm. Kind.
“Right,” she stammered, rocking backward, trying to brush off the flush of embarrassment. “You’re… probably right.”
She stood, wobbling slightly before steadying herself. “Good night, Felix. ”
“Night,” he murmured behind her as she walked away.
She pressed her hands to her burning face as she disappeared into her tent, too mortified to look back.
***
The next morning, the forest thinned and gave way to low, rolling meadows. Rocky plains and distant hills made up the landscape ahead, dotted with small clusters of trees. Isolde rode side by side with Garren, their hoods pulled up against the light rain that had started at night.
“How are you feeling today, my lady?” Garren asked, as he had done nearly every morning since they left the village.
She had no memory of the day she missed at all, only strange dreams that made her blush to recall.
She had been wobbly and pale for a few days after healing Leif, but it had also taught her much.
There was a sense of control now that had not been there before.
Isolde had a mild, nagging headache that had very little to do with her magic.
“I’m alright, Garren. Really. Look,” she said, and pulled up her sleeve to show him how brightly the blue ley markings glowed on her skin once more.
Next, she levitated a small rock they passed, for good measure, and threw it away with a flick of her hand.
Felix, riding ahead of them, turned his head to grin at her.
Garren’s expression remained impassive. “Please be careful, my lady. I respect your decision to… explore your abilities. Only, keep in mind that there is no one here to guide you. None of us know anything about this. What you did for Leif was a miracle, but at what cost?”
Isolde searched his face. He was genuinely looking out for her. “I will be careful, Garren.”
Up ahead, Leif had halted. Felix was next to him, and they were laughing about something together. Isolde slowed her horse, taking in her surroundings.
She nudged Shadow forward. “Leif,” she said, “is this the end of the forest?”
Leif nodded. “Yes. We have reached the northern border of the Crovan lands. ”
“In that case, you have paid your blood debt to me. I release you from your service,” she said simply. The thought of Leif leaving them was a sad one, but he had done what she had asked of him. She would not take advantage.
Felix’s eyes were on her. Isolde kept her focus on Leif, who gaped at her.
“I, ah…” he stammered. “Thank you. But…” He turned back to the forest for a moment, then to the unknown lands ahead. “I would like to stay. If you’ll have me.”
Felix let out an exaggerated groan. “Oh, no. Tell him no, Isa, I beg you.”
Isolde glared at Felix, though a small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
“I would be delighted to have you stay with us,” she said.
“If you’re sure? We still have a long way to go.
” Her gaze shifted north to the endless landscape ahead, wondering what awaited them there and if she was inviting Leif into more horrible danger.
“I’m sure,” Leif said, his face lighting up with a wide smile. “I’m involved in this now,” he added seriously. “I have to see it through to the end.”
Isolde nodded. “Then you’ll stay with us. Until the end, whatever that may be.” With that, she turned her horse and rejoined Garren.
Minutes later, Felix headed to his usual spot at the back of their line. She caught his eye as he passed her and smiled. He winked in response, such a tiny gesture, yet it unleashed a storm of butterflies in her stomach that stayed there for hours.