Chapter 16
Archer
Ilay the stag’s body down, whispering another prayer of thanks, then creep forward. The scent is faint, and the wind is picking up, wiping the traces from the night. I try to follow it, but I lose it completely back across the stream.
Was I only imagining her scent?
I swallow, throw my cloak over my shoulders and put my boots back on. My heart hammers my ribs, and I keep looking back at the forest as I stride quickly into Leafshire Cove, heading for the tavern. I definitely need a strong drink.
The thought of Valeria being here near all these good folks is horrifying. If she believes as the public does about Colette and me…
I shake my head. Perhaps I’m being ridiculous. I was simply worried about her in the back of my mind and it brought the scent memory up. I don’t usually have a strong scent memory—blame my goblin genes—but perhaps that’s what this instance was. Maybe everything is going to be fine.
I sit at the bar top and Grumlin greets me. The crowd is half what it was last time I was in here and the conversation is at a comfortable low buzz.
“Same as last time, Master Darkheart?” he asks.
“Aye. Thank you.”
“I’ll serve you, but this time, I’m going to ask for payment.”
I blink, but nod. “Of course. It was more than kind that you covered it last visit.”
“You have a dangerous secret. You stink of it. And as one of the few in Leafshire Cove who can sense that sort of business, I am responsible for finding out how to protect my fellow townsfolk.”
My heart is pounding still and my blood is hot. I’m just stirred up enough to blurt out some truth.
“Fine, wizard. Against my will, I was betrothed to a female vampire named Valeria. She’s not the good sort.”
“I’ve heard of the vampire betrothals. Why is this a problem?”
I flatten my hands on the smooth grain of the counter, spreading my fingers and trying to breathe more evenly.
“For several reasons. One is the gossip. She might hear tell about my so-called romance. She is the jealous type. All vampires are. Including me. Two is the fact that Colette does, in fact, seem to like me.” I meet his knowing gaze.
“Three? Well, three, you already know quite well, I’m sure. ”
“That you love Colette.”
My heart surges like a rogue wave, and I clear my throat.
“Aye. I don’t want to feel this way,” I admit, “but it is what it is. I won’t act on it, but aye. It’s a problem. All of this is a problem.”
Grumlin nods and pours out some ale for one of his serving lads, who then brings the mug to a table near the crackling hearth. Four folks are rolling dice and laughing.
“Denying this isn’t going to make it go away. Neither you nor Colette deserves to live a lesser life because of this Valeria person. Tell me about your family.”
And for some reason, I do. I tell him about how I was neglected, outcast. About Mother telling me of Valeria and then leaving. About how I haven’t had a conversation with my brothers in years, despite living in the same town.
“They fear me because of Mother and Valeria. I don’t truly blame them.”
Grumlin makes a noise that sounds like he fully disagrees, but he doesn’t push that fact.
“You’re not alone now, Archer,” he says, his voice solid and his eyes clear.
“Halvard and Rychell are your friends. Any friend of theirs is a friend of Leafshire Cove. That’s how it works here.
Tully is your friend. She told me that Colette plotted with Cyrus and Kaya to persuade her to finagle the Snowlight ritual so you were Colette’s partner. ”
My mouth falls open. “Did Tully agree?” I almost laugh.
“She did. And you’ll play along like you didn’t know, right? Or Tully will kick my arse into next season.”
I chuckle despite the weight of my worries. “I can’t though,” I say, sadly. “If Valeria—”
“You’re not listening, vampire. You take that Colette of yours and you two enjoy one another.
Life is short, even for us, if you look at it in a certain light.
Lonely years pass like glaciers. The Cove folks will defend you against this foul vampire and anything else that stands against you.
You are not alone anymore if you don’t wish to be.
Well, really, even if you wish to be alone, you won’t be. Not in this small town.”
The twinkle in his eye tells me he knows this like he knows the back of his hand. I’m not alone. They’ll defend us?
“But she could kill you. Anyone.”
“She can try. She won’t manage much with Tully and me on your side.
Take courage, Archer,” he says while my mind is whirring.
“Claim that love you feel or at least give it a try. This is exactly what life is meant for. Safety is its own kind of death. We shouldn’t hold it so close that we forget to breathe deep of the world’s pleasures. ”
A warmth springs to life inside me, melting the cold I hadn’t realized had solidified there over the years of distancing myself.
I do love Colette. I’ve been a fool about it, thinking I could deny my feelings. It’s the most powerful sensation I’ve ever experienced, and now that I am owning up to it, I don’t know how I ignored it as long as I did.
I reach across the counter to set my hand on Grumlin’s. He gives me a smile that I feel to my bones.
“Thank you, friend,” I say.
My throat is actually tight. I didn’t expect this—any of this—when I came to the book faire. But can I truly act on this revelation?