stand around for long, though. We stretched and settled into what was becoming our morning routine. We paired off for archery and hand to hand. I was with Eden, and Tasha paired with Brenna while Angel sat on the side and ate her first snack of the day.
I couldn’t say I was getting any better at anything, but given it’d only been a little over a week since my first archery lesson, my progress seemed reasonable. I still missed about fifty percent of the time when it came to the bow, and hand to hand saw me on the ground just as often as the other girls. But I was getting smarter with my moves. And I was reacting faster without having to think things through. So that was something.
I was already thinking of a nice long soak in Emily’s tub when Brenna called for the first break of the morning.
“Thank God,” Angel said. “I’m starving.”
“You just ate an hour ago and barely did anything,” Eden said.
“You try growing a baby. It’s hard work.”
While we rolled our eyes, the fey who’d slowly gathered all shouted out offers to get her something to eat.
“Whoever said licorice sticks, I want those,” Tasha said.
A fey jogged off, happy to oblige her.
“Is he really going to get me some?” she asked Brenna hopefully.
“Yep.” The way Brenna looked at Tasha with a sad tenderness had me turning away from the pair.
Both Brenna and I had normal childhoods filled with holidays, family gatherings, and whatever food we wanted. Tasha would never have that. She’d never have a normal first kiss or senior prom. She’d never graduate from high school or go off to college. That she was so excited over the possibility of what should have been a simple sweet treat broke my heart for her, and Katie...for the innocence of the lives they’d both lost even though one still lived.
“I wouldn’t even care if it was a little dirty,” the girl said.
“It won’t be,” Brenna said, wrapping her arm around the girl’s shoulders. “These guys find the good stuff.”
Tasha grinned, her anticipation-filled gaze remaining fixed on the direction the fey had run.
“Do you want anything to eat, Eden?” Ghua asked from his place on the sidelines.
“Nope. I’ll be fine until lunch.”
When she glanced at me, I caught a hint of something more to that conversation in her eyes but knew better than to ask. Not right then, anyway.
“Want to do a girls’ lunch at my house?” I asked.
“Yes.” Her quick answer confirmed that something was up. I knew Emily wouldn’t mind the extra company especially if it involved a story. I wouldn’t quite call her a gossip, but she sure liked to know what was going on in people’s lives. That’s why she and I got along so well.
Tasha let out a happy noise then a groan.
“That’s not him, is it?” she said.
Brenna’s smile grew.
“Nope.”
I looked and saw two fey jogging our way. Their silhouettes were unmistakable.
Thallirin and Merdon were home.
My heart leapt, and I hungrily watched for the first glimpse of Merdon’s face as he neared. His gaze locked on mine. I smiled, and unable to hold still, took a step in his direction. The closed expression on his face shifted a little, and I could have sworn his lips tipped at the corners ever so slightly before the hint of happiness disappeared again.
I wasn’t sure if that glimpse was enough to save his balls.
Brenna let out a little squeal and jumped up into Thallirin’s arms when he reached her.
My greeting for Merdon was more subdued.
“You’re back,” I said when he stopped before me.
“I am.”
“I think I’m mad at you for leaving in the first place.”
“Why?”
“Because I missed you, you idiot. There was no one there for me at night.”
“I was there,” Tor said. “We went jogging, remember?” He focused on Merdon, who still watched me. “You are right that she forgets things.”
“I didn’t forget,” I said. I looked at Merdon. “But it wasn’t the same. The chair was empty. What was so important that you had to leave?”
A terrifying sound reached my ears before he could respond.
A soft mewl.
I stepped back as he withdrew a small kitten from inside his shirt and held it out to me. It couldn’t be more than a few weeks old.
“You left to find a cat?” I asked.
“I left to find you hope.”
I stared at the small puff of grey fur and recalled our conversation about cows and chickens. He’d left to find me a reason to live