by Jen Wylie
"Don't take too long." Her thoughts turned to where she could get some clean clothes for him. Quite honestly, he smelled.
Finding clothes that would fit proved more of a challenge, Baelan being taller than her or Kei, but much slimmer than Bo. Eventually she settled on one of Bo's plain shirts and a pair of loose pants she'd bought for Kei to sleep in. She'd send him out to get his own clothes tomorrow. In case the bleeding hadn't stopped yet, she also grabbed a roll of bandages.
Arms full, she kicked the bottom of the bathroom door. "You done in there?"
"Yes."
Awkwardly she managed to open the door and used her hip to swing it wide as she walked in. She stopped abruptly.
Baelan knelt by the tub, bent over the rim as he scrubbed at his clothes. Thankfully, he'd wrapped one of their towels around his waist.
The towel didn't hide the array of angry new scars crisscrossing his back.
"What…who…?" Her words died off as he sat back on his heels. "Who did that?"
His head tipped to the side slightly, as if the question surprised him. "The court," he replied quietly, not looking at her.
"They didn't let you heal that either?" He shook his head. "Is it too late now?" A small, sharp nod.
With a sigh, she set down the clothes. She didn't like how her anger seemed to be so quickly turning to pity. The urge to comfort him came over her, but she shook it off and grabbed the roll of bandages. "You're still bleeding," she said as she walked toward him, noting the red rivulets running down his back. "Is that normal?"
He looked up at her as she approached, gray eyes wide with some emotion she couldn't identify. "Yes. The strongest spells hurt the worst when we put them upon us."
She stumbled and froze as he turned to face her. Tattoos covered his chest, some sliding around his upper arms and across his shoulders. Her eyes followed them down to his hard stomach until they disappeared under the towel. How far did they go? She shook that thought off. Unlike the simple links, they took the form of various complicated runes.
Gathering her composure, she held out a hand. "Let me wrap them."
For a long moment he stared at her outstretched hand before settling one of his in it. Stepping closer, she examined the links. She couldn't see any wound. They just slowly seeped blood. Frowning, she sharpened her sight and gasped. "They're made from little runes!"
Baelan nodded slightly. "Yes."
She began to wrap his wrist, eyes occasionally flicking to his face or chest. As she started on his other hand, she paused for a moment. "You know," she said softly. "If I ever, even for a moment, think you mean harm to my family or friends I will kill you."
"I will not harm them, Arowyn. This I swear."
She snorted. "On the honor you no longer have?"
He visibly jerked at her words before turning his head away, jaw clenched tightly. She finished wrapping his wrist, content he understood the situation.
He didn't speak again until she was forced to move closer and kneel before him to wrap the chains around his neck.
"After I was sentenced, and punished, I…begged the prince to speak with me," he began, voice quiet and hesitant. "He did, though only because he wanted to know why I hurt you.
"For days we spoke. He told me about you, and also about himself. I offered to serve him. He refused, but then he said perhaps you would accept me. However, he would not let me come until he ensured I now understood his feelings, and yours, and that I accepted you."
She glanced up at his eyes and wasn't surprised to see the sincerity in them. Prince would do such a thing.
"I will never hurt you," he continued quietly, "and I understand how it will be between us. What I have done cannot be forgotten."
"Did Prince know I wouldn't kill you?"
Baelan shrugged a shoulder. "He doubted you would but said it was a possibility. It was a risk I took."
Tying off the bandage, she sat back and shook her head. "I'm not sure what to do with you."
"Whatever you wish." He tried to smile but it wavered and faded.
What did he think she would do to him? She didn't know and didn't want to ask. She wasn't a monster. She wasn't like the Elves who had whipped him and left him scarred. "I found some clothes, they won't fit well, but will do for now. I'll have Bo bring some food over from the inn. You can sleep on the couch." Not looking again at him, she fled the room.
Chapter 29
Unwelcome News
Sleep did not come easy. Her thoughts sprang about, as did her feelings. What if she'd been wrong and Baelan would try to kill them all in the night? With his power returned, she didn't know if she'd be able to defeat him. On the other hand, images of his tortured body flitted through her mind, bringing forth feelings of sadness, regret, pity. He'd been through so much…yet he had betrayed her. Round and round her thoughts went, and when she did finally sleep the nightmares came. A giant wolf once again chasing her down.
When she woke, the dream reminded her she still had yet to figure out what to do about the Were king. Whether or not Roan had spoken to him on her behalf, she didn't want to rely on the pirate's help. For a while, she stayed in bed, mulling over what to do or say to the king.
After she got up and dressed, she headed to the kitchen. Off to the side, she saw Baelan crouched down before Garen, trying to coax him closer. The Were snarled, fur bristling.
A laugh burst out of her. Apparently Prince hadn't told Baelan everything if he thought Garen a dog.
"He doesn't like me," the Elf said plaintively.
"He has good taste," Bo muttered as he searched through a cabinet.
The Elf stood outside your door all night, Garen informed her. I kept an eye on him.
Thank you. Apparently the spell makes it so he can't hurt me. I'm not really trusting it, though.
A wise decision. He is a strange one.
That he is.
Baelan gave up and stood.
"Did you eat?"
He nodded once and looked away.
Moving to one of the drawers, she poked around and finally dug out a small pouch of coins. "Go to the market and get some clothes." She tossed the pouch at him. "Make sure they're good quality, a few sets. We'll be traveling in the forest for some time."
Holding the pouch in one hand, he stared at her in confusion.
"A pack, too," Bo added.
"Yes," she agreed. "And anything else you might need. We'll be leaving likely within the week." He frowned in confusion and she explained, "We go to heal the Fey."
"I…see," he said finally.
Her brows rose. "I assumed you were coming?"
"Yes," he said quickly.
"Well, go on then." She shooed him toward the door.
"I have no choice." The last came quietly as he turned away.
Perhaps I should follow him?
She glanced at Garen. Good idea. "Baelan, wait!"
When he paused at the kitchen door, she scrambled through the cupboards, finally finding some jerky. Tossing him a piece, she forced a smile to her lips. "Try this with him."
Garen trotted up to the Elf, sat, and wagged his tail.
A tentative smile crossed his lips as he carefully held out the dried meat. Garen took it gently, scarfed it down, and then circled Baelan's feet.
"There you go. Pick him up some more treats if you like."
Baelan nodded and left, walking carefully as Garen continued to bounce around him. She struggled not to laugh. Don't overdo it!
Once she heard the front door close, she leaned against the counter and crossed her arms, her mirth fading. "I don't trust him," she said flatly.
"Second thoughts?" She nodded, and Bo continued, "I'll admit I had them myself last night. What's done is done."
"I could still kill him," she grumbled.
"You could…but that's not who you are." She glared over at him and he shrugged his wide shoulders. "Being kind, taking care of others, it is part of who you are. It is not something you need to lose to be stron
g. You're not a killer, pup." Walking by, he tapped the top of her head. "Think on that."
"Where are you off to?"
"The inn." He paused. "Did you need me today?"
She waved him off. "No. I thought I'd head down to the docks and check one last time about my brothers. Maybe stop and say goodbye to Roan. The Were can come with me."
After a brief hesitation, he finally nodded. "Good enough. They're good boys."
When Bo left, she belted on her weapons and grabbed her cloak. Hopefully she could avoid Baelan as much as possible today.
∞ ∞ ∞
Raythe followed her around, and mostly kept out of her way, while she visited the dockside taverns she and Bo had previously found most promising. A few of the barmen remembered her, some didn't. She managed to avoid any fights, but also didn't find out any information.
Garen kept in touch, letting her know when they returned. When Baelan started cleaning, he headed over to the inn.
Leaving the area, she noticed more people taking note of her and grimaced. Stopping, she turned on Raythe who followed behind her. "Do I want to ask?"
He winced. "They know who you are, miss. Especially since you have me following you about."
"Who I am…?" She crossed her arms and glared. "He forget to tell anyone I left? They all think I'm still in his bed?"
The Were looked away, finding interest in a few clouds drifting by.
"One more stop," she finally said, heading for another tavern. He followed silently behind her.
Pausing once through the door, she let her eyes adjust to the dim light and eyed the room. Finding nothing alarming, she headed for the bar. Raythe took a spot just down from her, shaking his head when the bartender glanced over at him first.
The older man turned his attention to her then, and after a moment gave a brief start. "I remember you. Been a while."
She rested her arms on the rough and sticky surface of the bar. "Thought I'd check in again before I head out of town. Heard anything about Kingsport?"
The man grinned, showing a number of missing teeth on one side. Pouring a shot of some clear liquid, he tossed it back before speaking. "Was hoping you'd come by again. Still paying?"
Raising her eyebrows, she nodded once, stiffly. A knot formed in her stomach. Digging into a deep pocket she pulled out a silver coin and slipped it across the bar. "More if what you have is any good."
The coin disappeared. Folding his arms on the bar, he leaned forward. "Had a mate in a few weeks back. Used to be in the Dressan navy."
"What's he doing here?" As far as she knew, the navy stayed far north, near their own land.
"Misunderstanding regarding his captain's wife," he paused a moment. "Or maybe it was his daughter." He shrugged. "Liked to tell stories, though. Had a few about this Kingsport."
Her fingers curled into fists. "Let's hear it."
"The city fell. Navy sunk a number of Fran slave ships, chased a bunch more. Thought that was the end of it. Refugees came, not many. Said a resistance started up, got more people out, collapsed the mines, that sort of thing."
She nodded. Her brothers would be a part of that sort of thing. They probably led it. "They take the city back?"
"Here's where it gets good. Frans came back in the spring. Was quite the fight, ships burning at the docks, fighting everywhere when the people made a stand. In the end though, they weren't enough. More slaves were taken. They caught one of the leaders, had him tortured in the market square in front of his people. Hung his body on the bell tower."
She lowered her eyes to the bar and tried to keep breathing.
"That was the end of it. Not long after, thousands came out of the mountains seeking refuge in Dressan."
Her mind refused to work. Spots danced before her eyes. "He mention any brothers. The Masons."
He wrapped his knuckles on the bar. "That's the name. Couple of them led the people."
"No." No, no, no. "Seven. There are seven."
The barkeep shook his head and held up two gnarled fingers. "Mate just said a couple."
Blinking rapidly, she turned her head away and caught Raythe's worried expression. Rot. Raising her chin, she nodded to the man across the bar. "They still in Dressan?"
He shrugged and leaned back. "Imagine so."
"This mate still around?"
"Sailed out last week, I think."
Of course he had. Closing her eyes, she tried to gather her composure. She wished Prince was here to search the man's memories for anything he'd forgotten or hadn't said. He wasn't, and a different rush of pain filled her.
Fumbling for a few more coins, she dropped them on the counter. "If…" She cleared her throat. "If you hear anything more, send word to the West Wind. They'll pay."
"Will do, miss." He hesitated a moment and then poured another drink and slid it across to her.
Tossing it back, the burn didn't do much to ease the pain within her. With another nod, she turned and left, not really seeing anything around her.
Stumbling out into the light, Raythe caught her arm. Shaking it off, she started walking, not headed anywhere in particular. Numb, everything felt numb. Except for the excruciating pain in her chest.
Reaching blindly for Kei, she found only more numbness. She still held on, not knowing what else to do. A whimper tried to crawl up her throat, but she trapped it behind trembling lips. Walking blindly, her mind started to work once more, spinning the new information around and around. Some of her brothers lived. Some didn't. Dead. They were dead.
A hand slid around her arm. "This isn't the place," Raythe said quietly.
Her eyes burned. Chest tightening, she couldn't keep her breathing under control.
After a few quiet moments, Raythe pulled her in another direction. "This way."
He led her for a while before she thought to ask where he took her.
"To the captain." He turned to look at her when she stopped walking. "You did want to see him again? You won't get another chance."
She followed him, regretting her decision to mention to the Were she wanted to see Roan one last time. Really, she didn't need to. Didn't really want to now.
Yet still, she found herself worrying her lower lip between her teeth. It wasn't like he meant anything to her. He'd practically kept her hostage for months. Perhaps he could distract her from the pain, though. She tried to think of him, and not her brothers, but that brought a whole other set of emotions she didn't want.
"Rot," she muttered. Maybe this wasn't a good idea. Walking away and never seeing him again would be the best thing to do. "Raythe…"
They turned down yet another side street, and then he stopped, tipping his head toward an alley. "I'll wait here."
She nodded and forced a smile. It wasn't his fault she'd changed her mind. Taking a deep breath, she raised her chin and turned the corner, pushing the pain within her down. Half the alley hid in shadow, and she wasn't surprised to see Roan step from them as she continued forward.
Stopping in front of him, she shifted awkwardly, unsure what to say. Pausing mid-sway, she laughed suddenly at her actions. Perhaps she sounded a bit hysterical, but she couldn't help it. Straightening, she looked up at Roan.
He looked the same, ruggedly handsome, eyes as icy as ever. A faint smile curved his lips.
"It is good to see you again, Arowyn. To what do I owe this pleasure?"
She snorted at his words. Seeing him again did distract her, somewhat. The urge to cry did not go away. She wanted to go home, hide in her room, and scream. Wanting to cut the visit short, she shrugged a shoulder and told him the truth. "I missed you, and I wanted to say goodbye before you left."
Her words startled him, which gave her a great amount of satisfaction. For a moment he just looked at her in confusion before he laughed quietly. "Such brutal honesty. My girl is growing up."
"I'm not your girl," she said automatically, though with no force in her voice. It was time to admit to herself she did care for the shady pirate. She didn't
love him, but she liked him well enough. Somewhere along the way he'd become her friend.
He held out his hand, and after a moment, she placed hers in it. Pulling her closer, he brought it to his lips for a soft kiss. Her eyebrows rose, and despite the despair deep within, a smile quirked her lips at the noble gesture.
"I may have missed you, too," he admitted. "The house has been quite empty without you. You've been doing well?"
"Well enough," she lied. Standing close before him, he hadn't released her hand. She didn't make an issue out of it. "When are you leaving?"
"Tomorrow."
"I'm glad I came to see you, then."
Looking down at her, he smiled and it even reached his eyes, making little crinkles around them. "As am I. You are always welcome by my side. I hope you know that."
His words made her slightly uncomfortable, unsure what exactly he meant. Not really wanting to know. Was she being childish, naive, to avoid thinking about such things? "Have safe travels," she said finally, stepping away.
His smile faded, but he didn't let go of her hand. "You, as well. We will see each other again soon."
"Your soon or mine?"
This brought a small smile to his face. "Most likely mine." He became serious once more. "Arowyn… Please be careful." He paused, his eyes meeting hers and holding them. His brows drew together and he glanced away before once more turning his attention to her. His amusement died. "Ah, I see. I am sorry."
If she'd been able to tear her eyes away, she would have glared at Raythe. Instead, she snapped at him, You told him!
It didn't look like you were going to.
That is not your place!
He didn't reply. Trying to keep calm, she focused on the pirate still staring into her eyes. "I'm fine."
He shook his head. "You're not supposed to lie to me."
"I'm trying to believe it."
Raising a hand, he gently cupped her cheek, a thumb wiping away a tear she hadn't known she'd shed.
"It's hard, isn't it? Keeping the pain at bay."
She wanted to yell, to scream and hit him and tell him he didn't understand. The words didn't come, and exhaustion weighed down her limbs.
