seem to be more accepted now than when this all started. Hopefully, the other things that Emily’s working on will help too. How’s Mya?”
“Getting better now that she’s almost out of the first trimester but still a little green around the edges.”
Matt nodded.
“My wife was the same with our first. Morning sickness completely went away during the second half.”
I realized then how little I knew about Tenacity’s leader.
“I’ll let Mya know there’s hope then,” Ryan said with a grin.
“There’s more hope today than there was yesterday. That’s all we can ask for.” Matt shook Ryan’s hand then headed toward men stationed at the wall to help them with the new, heavy gates.
We loaded into the trucks and pulled out of Tenacity as the sun broke over the trees. The clear sky and brown spots poking through the snow in the fields gave me plenty of hope for a good day. That, along with the complete absence of infected, almost made the world seem normal.
“First time on a supply run?” Garrett asked.
“Yeah. I’m trying not to overthink it and freak myself out. Last I heard, the traps were getting worse for you guys.”
“Yeah, the infected are trying harder, but we’re still smarter. All they’re doing is helping the fey thin their numbers before they run off.”
“They run off?”
He nodded. “They’re smart enough to know when a trap is failing. Those that can, bail.”
“It reminds me of something my dad said about fishing.”
“What’s that?”
“You release the big ones so they can breed and make more fish.”
I tore my gaze from the landscape and looked at Garrett.
“Completely different, though, right?”
“Right.”
The second he’d hesitated before answering was more honest than his response.
I told myself I had nothing to worry about as I looked out the window at Merdon. He would keep me safe. They all would.
He and Thallirin ran side by side, leading the caravan as the rest of the fey spread out around the trucks.
We drove for almost three hours before Thallirin signaled with a lifted arm. The trucks began to slow with the fey. Merdon continued on at the same pace. My heart clenched to see him running away from me.
The stretch of road appeared clear. Yet, that wasn’t what worried me so much as the tree-lined ditches. I understood that Merdon was probably scouting ahead because we were getting close.
“Why does Merdon have to go alone?” I asked softly.
“Because he’d rather the rest of the fey guard what’s most important to him while he’s not here to do it himself.”
I glanced at Garrett and offered him a weak smile.
“Who’s going to protect what’s most important to me?”
“He will. Don’t worry. He knows he needs to come back. He wouldn’t have brought you out here if he thought he couldn’t keep both you and himself safe.”
I focused on the trees as Merdon veered off the road. For several moments, there was nothing. When he reappeared, though, I could see the dark stains on his clothes even from this distance.
He signaled it was clear, and Garrett eased the truck forward after the fey. Merdon didn’t run ahead again but waited for the truck to pass him and jumped up next to my window. Blood dotted his face.
I set my hand to the window as if I would touch his cheek.
“You be careful,” I warned through the window.
“You will do as you’re told.”
I rolled my eyes even as my insides clenched.
“I already promised. What exactly do you think I’m going to do? Jump out of the truck and go running through the trees? Hell, no. Been there and still have nightmares about it. Give me some credit. I’m smart, no matter what you say.”
He tilted his head at me.
“You’re smart when you think, not when you react.”
“Gee, thanks.”
He grinned at me then jumped down. I stared after him in shock as he ran to catch up to Thallirin.
“I think that’s the first real smile I’ve seen from him,” I said to Garrett.
“And I think that’s the first real smile I’ve seen on you,” he said.
I realized I was smiling and settled back on my seat.
“It’s weird,” I said. “I thought life was over. Instead, Merdon’s proving I’ve barely begun to live.”
My heart thrummed with the possibilities of a future with him, and I remembered the way his hand had rested over my stomach when I woke this morning, and my pulse stuttered erratically. I didn’t want a baby. I was too scared and unsure who I was yet. But, someday, maybe, I’d be able