Chapter 13
CHAPTER
The night had been calm, and the squad continued on early in the morning. It was colder outside, autumn colors slowly finding their way into the trees.
Ashley was happily chattering about her new experiment, a delayed bomb, which Mey seemed very intrigued by. Nate and Eve casually added some comments in between.
Malakai and Lionel had a silent war between them, which was odd considering Lionel had never shown this side towards someone of higher rank before.
It was all a misunderstanding, he had no such feelings for me that Malakai had teased him of, he was simply overprotective, like an older brother for his little sister.
That was how he saw me—always had in all the years we had known each other. I wish it hadn’t been true, I had my own selfish feelings for him.
To avoid getting stuck in the middle, I kept in the rear, being able to see all of them at a glance kept me at ease anyway.
Slowly, Lionel paced himself until he was beside me.
“You okay?” his voice was blank, as if he was trying to not sound too attached. Had Malakai’s words about him worrying plagued his mind?
“Yep,” I said, popping the ‘p’ for more effect.
He glanced over at me. “You still have a fever, don’t you?”
I opened my mouth to protest, but shut it quickly again. There was no point denying it, he had already seen the sweat building up around my hairline. His hand swung out and ripped my bag off my back, before he strapped it over his shoulder.
“Hey, give it back!” I snapped, my hand trying to grab it, but his arm shoved me off.
“I’m fine.”
I sighed. He was using my own words against me now?
My hand reached for him again, but he simply avoided it, grabbing the strap of the bag instead.
“Lionel, talk to me,” I tried, seeing his hands tense.
“Sorry, I got a lot on my mind, okay?” he muttered, not even looking at me.
“Oh, do I need to schedule an appointment?” I asked sarcastically. “When is your head clear?”
His mouth tugged, trying to prevent a smile. “You’re stupid, Ethalyn.”
“No, you’re dumb.”
“Yes,” he answered, way too quickly. “Will you stick around, until I become a bit smarter?”
“Like that would ever happen,” I snorted and he simply smiled at me. “I’m right here, Lionel,” I added, keeping my eyes forward.
His hand closed in on me, grasping around my wrist. “Good, then I’ll be right there with you, always.”
I looked up, eyes wide as I met with his sparkling brown. My pulse raced as my cheeks burned.
Shit.
Shit, shit, shit, shit.
These were the things he couldn’t do, because my heart read it as something completely different.
“Mm,” I simply said.
His hand let go of my wrist, and instead he reached for my cheek, squeezing it teasingly. “You really should rest, the fever is making you all red.”
“Stop it,” I hissed, slapping his hand away. He chuckled warmly, with the brightest smile.
Shit.
“So, are we going to negotiate with the mages or straight up kill them?” Ashley suddenly raised her voice.
“Stupid question, obviously kill,” Eve rolled her eyes.
“Is it? Obvious?” Mey asked, looking at the rest of us.
“What do you think?” Malakai responded, yet he wasn’t waiting for an answer.
“If talking was on the table, I’d choose that,” I shrugged.
Malakai stopped in his tracks without turning, the air went silent around us. Was it colder now? I was probably imagining things.
Malakai slowly turned, his gaze piercing me, making me painfully aware that I answered incorrectly.
“Up front, kitten,” he ordered, no movement, but it felt like he had tugged on a leash.
I straightened myself and walked up towards him; fear was not something I intended to show him again, ever.
My eyes darted up towards his, waiting for whatever he had to say, but he remained silent. His gaze was locked on me, it felt as if he was burning a layer of skin off my body, making me uncomfortable. I cleared my throat, trying to break the building silence.
“You lead,” he waved his hand forward.
My brows furrowed. “What?”
He tilted his head, his look telling me that if I made him repeat himself, he’d punish me for it.
“How do I know which way to go?” I asked, instead of arguing about it needlessly.
His hand went to the inside of his jacket, rustling sounded as he brought out a piece of paper.
A map.
He handed it over as if it was nothing.
“Could you at least point to where we’re at?”
“I could, but that would ruin the fun,” he smirked, amusement glowing in his eyes as I probably looked like a panicked deer.
I was no map reader, I had never navigated before. This was simply one of his games again, and for some reason, I had to win. I wanted to wipe that stupid smirk off his face for good.
I opened the paper, it wasn’t as detailed as I had thought. Ashley stomped forward, glancing over my shoulder, followed by Mey and Nate.
“I’d say we’re here,” Mey said, pointing. It wasn’t as near the western border as I had thought, or hoped. Not even halfway…
But according to the map, there was a village on the way, perhaps they’d have some food and water that we could purchase? Maybe some shelter for the night, if we paid them.
“We could go through here,” I showed them, before carefully folding the map again. “Let’s get moving.”
I looked at them, no one moved. Confused, I turned towards Malakai, who simply grinned at me, waving his hand for me to go first.
Stupid games.
I took a deep breath and a steady step, as the others followed behind me. Right, I was leading, so I had to walk first. The foliage seemed to grow thicker as we went, it was hard to make out what would be the easiest path forward.
“Oh, do take your time, it’s only our lives, sweetie,” Malakai mused behind me. It had the same effect as if he had poked at me with a stick.
“Stop rushing her,” Lionel cut in, earning himself a glare.
Nope, no time for their stupid banter again, as I picked a path and followed it.
“Don’t worry, I have your backs!” Ashley clarified, taking her place at the rear of the group.
My nerves were creeping up on me more and more the longer we walked. Was it because of the fever?
My head was spinning, the foliage looked an awful lot like it had done a while back. I was worried that I might’ve been leading them in circles for hours. The air felt thicker, it was getting harder to breathe.
My foot caught under a root, tripping me; as I fell, all I managed to get out was a lousy gasp, no scream, nothing.
Something grabbed my arm, the grip like stone, cold spreading through the fabric of my clothes, pulling me back to my feet.
“Lionel,” I began, looking back, meeting with red unbothered eyes. It caught me off guard— it wasn’t Lionel helping me, it was Malakai. His face was completely blank, yet his hand didn’t let go.
“Ethalyn, you okay?” Mey’s voice carried a soft urgency.
“She doesn’t look well,” Nate added bluntly.
“I-I’m fine.” My throat was dry. Why wasn’t I? I had fought the fever yesterday and won. Why couldn’t my body hold out this time?
“Can someone grab her bag for me? I’ll carry her,” Lionel said behind us, his voice calm.
“Are you kidding?” Eve hissed.
“Don’t look at me, I’m half your size buddy,” Ashley chimed, entirely unbothered.
Malakai’s grunt cut through the air. Irritation sharpened his features as he pulled me close, then, without warning, hauled me over his shoulder in one swift, unyielding motion.
“Hey!” Heat flared up my neck. “I’m not a sack of flour!”
“You’re right. Flour doesn’t squirm.” His voice was low, steady, almost too steady.
“Put me down,” I barked, balling weak fists and thudding them against his back.
He shifted his shoulder deliberately, jostling me and I gasped, clinging to him before I could stop myself.
“That’s what I thought.” I could hear the smirk in his tone. “Now hush before the demons find us, kitten.”
The fever stole my fire as much as it fed it. My heart thudded far too hard for someone being carried like contraband.
“My feet hurt,” Eve sighed, her voice suddenly honeyed as her eyes flicked to Lionel.
“Too bad,” Ashley cut her down instantly. “Means you’ve been lazy.”
Eve’s glare sparked, but it was wasted when no one looked her way. I almost pitied her.
Almost.
Relief came only when we happened upon a small alcove in a cliffside, offering us some shelter to pause in.
Malakai lowered me to the ground, not roughly, but not gently either.
He stripped off a glove and pressed his palm against my forehead.
His touch was startlingly cool to my burning skin.
He was too close, but I was too tired to yap.
“Thanks,” I whispered, not meeting his eyes.
“Don’t thank me.” His scoff sounded like armor. “Or are you going to beg me to be your blanket too?”
I slapped his hand away, cheeks too hot from fever alone, as my blood boiled in anger. “I take it back.”
His mouth curved, not quite a smile, but something equally as dangerous. “Your loss, kitten.” He stepped back then, as though he’d lingered too long already.
I watched as the others began making a small fire, settling down for the evening.
Once he was gone, Mey strode forward, with a little can and spoon. “I heated it for you a little bit.”
“Don’t worry about me,” I waved at her, feeling bad for being such a burden.
“Nonsense, I’d be happy to take care of you. Otherwise I’m the one who is always the liability,” she lowered her voice, a hint of sadness lingering in it, yet a faint smile twitched across her lips.
“You’re not—” I protested, but her light, hazel eyes met mine with such intensity that I turned silent.
“I have an illness.”
“What?” I asked, confused.
She slowly filled the spoon and reached it towards me. It would’ve seemed even worse if I denied her at this point, so I swallowed my pride and accepted being fed.
“It’s a curious thing, not knowing if it will shorten my lifespan or just be a nuisance at times,” she chuckled low, emotionless.
“The coughing?” I asked, realizing she had been doing that quite a lot during our missions. She nodded slowly, stirring the spoon in the soup before taking another filled portion of it and handing it to me.
“I often get a fever. I don’t know why, probably my useless body telling me I should give up,” I snorted, trying to lighten the mood.
She stilled. “Why haven’t you then?”
“I guess I’m either too stubborn, or too stupid?” I confessed and we both laughed at that.
“I guess we both are then,” Mey nodded. “I simply want to live like a normal person.”
“From what I’ve seen, you’re stronger than that.”
Her eyes looked like glass for a moment. “If… if something happens. Please look after Nate, don’t let him shut everyone out or… decide to join me.”
I tensed, before I nodded, fully aware of what I was suddenly committing to.
“Thanks,” she smiled, the warmest I’d ever seen, making stars falter in comparison. She grabbed my hand and put the can between, the heat spreading to my hands.
“Rest up and don’t get cold,” she instructed firmly, as she rose and walked back to Nate who had a worried look on his face.
I admired him, pursuing this career to keep his sister safe; making sure that they’d have food and water every day… that she’d always live her life rather than trying to cage her in because of a disease. Something stirred inside of me and I shivered to calm myself.
The world felt too loud until Lionel’s quiet presence fill the space beside me. He crouched down, steady, without a word. He was simply there.
No teasing. No sharp edge. Only calm patience.
My body leaned against his before my mind caught up. Slowly, my head found his shoulder, familiar and solid. No tension, no fight. Just him.
The smell of oakmoss and leather embracing me.
His smell.
“I’ve got you,” Lionel murmured, low enough for only me. I felt his hand finding mine, the warmth of him seeping into me and I welcomed it, leaned further into him. My body felt heavy, but at least I was safe.
Thanks to him.
“Lionel,” I muttered, low and weak. “Stay with me.”
And for the first time that day, I let the fever win, and let my eyes close.