CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
They fought their way out as they’d gone in—Evylin and Deckard together; Ethenn with the Calders.
With five Relics and ready practice, the journey went by more quickly.
Despite the seeming ease of their escape, as they rushed up the steps to the Keep’s door, Evylin’s tunic clung to her back, and her breathing was greatly labored.
The iron door rumbled open, and Evylin sighed in relief. Exhaustion caused her muscles to ache. She was ready for a long night’s sleep.
White light greeted them in the antechamber as the door rolled open, Thom and Rafferty immediately bolting upright from their seats on the ground.
“What the hell was that?” Thom demanded, his hands notably shaking. “Why did you leave us here?”
“Calm down, darling,” Ilain said, patting his cheek as she walked past. “We were saving your life.”
Thom gaped. “My life?”
“What happened in there?” Rafferty asked, his white-blond hair disheveled as though he’d been pulling at it in worry.
“We don’t have time to explain,” Deckard said, releasing Evylin to move through the arched hall. “It’s time for us to make our way back to Ephria.”
A hopeful pang went through Evylin. Back to Ephria. What a wonderful sentence. Back to sunshine and warmth. Back to rolling hills and ivy-covered homes.
They ascended the stairs to emerge on the Waulden shoreline. Hours had passed since their entrance. A golden sunset glittered along the waves. Fluffy, painted clouds filled the horizon. The gray shoreline was calming after their tiring fight through the Keep.
Evylin took a deep breath of the salty air. She had to admit that Wauld did hold some beauty.
As the troop returned up the hillside, a cheerful camaraderie broke forth. After weeks apart, they were finally able to relax together again, if only momentarily. They would split to leave the Reach, but they would enjoy the modicum of time they had left before parting.
Auden and Ilain walked in front, her hand tucked under her brother’s arm as they caught up. Their closeness warmed Evylin, making her think of how she’d once been with Ryen. At the back, Rafferty plagued Ethenn with questions about the Time Keep. Thom walked with them, eager for details too.
And all the while, Deckard walked beside Evylin, the two of them remaining silent.
Worry crept along the recesses of Evylin’s mind.
She was so happy to see him, to be with him.
Every part of her longed to take his hand again or to drape his arm across her shoulders so she could press into his side.
It was as though being near him wasn’t enough.
She had to feel his nearness physically.
But nothing had changed. Not truly. Her fears hadn’t been resolved. She couldn’t revoke her request. She couldn’t stay with him. So as they passed into the trees, Evylin maintained her distance and stared straight ahead.
Suddenly, Deckard’s low chuckle reached her ears. Evylin’s gaze flashed to him, finding him smiling to himself.
“What’s so funny?” she asked, drawn to the warm timbre of his laughter.
Deckard startled as though he’d forgotten she was there. He scratched the back of his head, his gaze darting guiltily to the side. He was hiding something.
“Nothing,” he lied badly. “Just had a funny thought.”
“Oh?” Evylin eyed him skeptically.
He was hiding something. She knew it. She scanned the trees around them but couldn’t figure out what it was.
Prepared to question him further, Evylin paused as rough voices behind them caught her attention.
“Sod off, Thom,” Ethenn said irritably.
“What’s wrong with you?” Thom demanded, his voice failing an attempt at quietness. “I’m trying to be nice.”
“It’s a bit late for that.”
“Oh, no,” Evylin murmured, turning to the three men just behind her.
Thom scoffed. “Why, ’cause your girlfriend likes me better? Sorry, chap. Seems our lovely highlady is smart enough to know a real man when she sees him.”
Ethenn moved too fast for even Evylin to react. His fist connected with Thom’s jaw, the smack of knuckles against bone resounding in the forest. A few paces ahead, Auden and Ilain halted in shock. Rafferty moved out of the way, hands in the air, while Evylin and Deckard jumped into action.
“Stay back,” Evylin commanded Deckard as the two men grappled. Their fists flew violently, Ethenn’s skills and strength allowing him to land far more damaging blows than Thom.
“Let me—” Deckard began, but she moved faster than he could.
Quickly surveying the situation, Evylin leaped into the fray. She swept Ethenn’s leg first, knocking him to his back. Then she grabbed a fistful of Thom’s collar, jerking him away. “Stop it!” she commanded, effectively ending the fight.
Thom thrust a finger in Ethenn’s direction. “He started it!” he retorted, blood trickling out of his nose. Half of his face was red from the blows, and his lip was split as well.
“And I’m telling you to end it,” Evylin returned, then whirled on Ethenn. “And I’m telling you to grow up and control yourself!”
Slowly rising from the dirt, Ethenn ground his teeth, but he didn’t respond.
Evylin released Thom with a shove. “What is wrong with you two?”
“I’m tired of his shit,” Ethenn said, yanking down the hem of his coat.
Evylin huffed. “Aren’t we all? But you’re supposed to have better sense.”
“He’s a boy, Evie,” Thom said, then spat out a clot of blood. “One who can’t see when he’s not wanted.”
“Like someone else I know,” Ethenn shot back.
Thom stepped forward aggressively, but Evylin blocked his path. “What’s that supposed to mean?” he shouted at the young man.
“You know exactly what it means,” Ethenn replied, a clear threat in his voice.
Evylin’s stomach twisted, and Thom glowered. “You don’t know what you’re talking about,” he snarled.
Ethenn raised his chin. “I heard you.”
Evylin slumped. Thom swallowed. Around them, Deckard and the others waited, their attention rapt in the deafening silence.
“I’m a Warrior, remember?” Ethenn said. “Heightened senses and all that. I knew you were up to something, so I listened.”
“Ethenn, don’t,” Evylin whispered.
“You heard nothing,” Thom said disdainfully.
Ethenn’s eyes glimmered with rage. “I heard you tell Evylin you love her and want to be with her.”
A cold breeze rattled the trees. Raggedly, Evylin’s breath slipped out.
She closed her eyes, feeling Deckard’s gaze burning on the back of her skull.
This secret was never supposed to be revealed.
She’d meant her promise to Thom; Deckard never needed to find out.
The brothers’ relationship could remain intact. Now, it would be broken beyond repair.
Nearest her, Thom shifted unsteadily. “So what?” he said, though his voice was shaky.
Evylin wanted to move away, feeling as though her proximity made her guilty by association.
A sharp, sardonic chuckle came from behind Evylin. She turned to see Deckard shaking his head in disappointment. “I already knew,” he said with frightening calm. “I just didn’t think you’d do anything about it.”
“Well, I did,” Thom said, a look between dread and anger entering his face.
Deckard nodded, his expression cold.
“Don’t worry,” Thom said sourly. “She told me no.”
Deckard’s eyes met Evylin’s for the merest second before he turned back to his brother. “Why?”
“I’d guess because she doesn’t feel the same.”
“No, Thom,” he said, anger seeping into his voice. “Why did you do it?”
Thom’s voice was tense when he shouted back. “Because I’m tired of watching you get what I deserve!”
A long silence stretched over the group as the brothers glared at one another.
Rafferty stood to the side, watching with keen interest. Ethenn crossed his arms, scowling.
Ilain and Auden shared worried, baffled looks.
And Evylin desperately sought a way to bring it to an end, knowing that Thom didn’t mean the words he was about to say.
“My whole life,” Thom went on, “I’ve stood behind you in everything. While you’re so busy pretending to be perfect, I’m the one who’s been at her side from the beginning. I’m the one taking care of her.”
“She’s not your responsibility,” Deckard said.
“’Cause she’s not my wife,” Thom retorted. “As you love to remind me. Forgive me for believing that my love for her was more genuine than yours, as I don’t see it as a job but a privilege.”
Deckard took a challenging step forward. “That’s not what I meant.”
“But it’s what you said.”
Every harsh word felt like a blow to Evylin’s heart. She hated it, hated watching them crumble. Despite herself, she’d come to care for them both. She couldn’t bear them coming apart over her. Thom was her brother. Deckard was her. . . .
“Is this why you’ve been fighting?” Ilain asked in the lingering silence. She looked at Ethenn, then Thom. “Because it wasn’t a joke. Jonn really did ask you to make sure Thom didn’t steal his wife?”
Evylin drew in a sharp breath, surprised. Had Deckard charged Ethenn with such a task?
Ethenn swallowed, his eyes on the dirt. “That’s part of it,” he mumbled.
A cruel laugh slipped out of Thom. “Oh, come on, Loxley. We’re all being honest here. It’s your turn.”
Auden shifted anxiously. “We don’t have time for this,” he said. “We need to leave the Reach.”
Thom didn’t listen. “How ’bout it, kid?” He moved past Evylin and shoved Ethenn’s shoulder. “Would you like to share the truth?”
“Thom,” Evylin called, “stop it.”
A red flush covered Ethenn’s neck. He didn’t back down from Thom’s baiting, but neither did he rise to it. “I knew about Thom’s feelings for Evylin,” he said to Ilain, though he refused to look at her. “So I told him to stop flirting with you.”
“That’s—” Ilain cut herself off. Because Evylin knew, while there was no truth behind her flirtation with Thom, Ethenn wouldn’t understand her motivation.
“The thing is, Loxley,” Thom smirked, “our highlady is the last one you needed to worry about.”
A sinking feeling churned in Evylin’s gut.
“What was between us—” Thom motioned to Ilain and then himself. “It was never real.”
Ethenn’s expression fell in confusion.