Fear of Fire and Shadow (The Fade #1) - Samantha Young Page 0,94
way you went. I could have gotten lost up here.”
Guilt gnawed at me and I shook my head in denial. “No. I didn’t … I thought if you did chance into the mountains, you would bring an escort. Chaeron. Or a few of the men. I didn’t think you would be foolish enough to come all the way into the mountains after me alone.”
“You’re lying,” he hissed. “You knew I’d come after you, Rogan, you had to have known that.”
I clenched my jaw trying to stop the tears that choked me. Hanging my head, I didn’t say anything in return. Was he right? Had I known Wolfe loved me enough to do that? I knew what kind of man he was. Because of my fear of being alone with him, a fear of my own damn feelings, had I selfishly put him in danger? I didn’t know. I had no response. There was nothing I could say.
All this time I’d fretted that his parentage meant perhaps he didn’t deserve me. But really … I didn’t deserve him.
“I don’t know what I was thinking. I just knew I had to get this plant. For Haydyn.”
“And still she lies,” he whispered bitterly.
We didn’t speak after that.
The journey downhill cut the time in half.
By late night, Wolfe and I broke out of the trees and into Hill o’ Hope.
I chanced a glance at Wolfe. “You came through here too?”
He nodded, not looking my way. “I stayed with a man called Brint Lokam. He told me he’d sheltered a young woman who was looking for the Pool of Phaedra.”
My mouth fell open. “He knew I was a girl?”
Wolfe flicked me a patronizing look. I harrumphed. I’d so thought my disguise had worked. Had all of Hill o’ Hope known I was a girl? My cheeks flamed with embarrassment.
We crossed through the quiet hill, noise, cheer, and light spilling out of Hope Tavern. Wolfe didn’t stop. He headed toward the Lokams’ shack. I shook my head in wonder at the thought of Brint. He’d been such a gentleman. No wonder he’d seemed so concerned about letting me go into the mountains alone. He knew I was a girl!
The door to the shack opened before we even reached it and the tall figure of Brint appeared. He squinted in the dark, holding up a lantern, and then grinned when he recognized us. “Well, hullo there.”
I waved and followed Wolfe up to the door.
“Brint.” Wolfe held out his hand to shake. “Could we perhaps trespass upon your hospitality one more evening, Mr. Lokam?”
Brint took Wolfe’s hand, shaking it heartily as he grinned. “No needin’ to be askin’.” He shook us off gruffly and grinned wider as I passed. Brint must have seen the look on my face because he said, “Ye wasn’t thinkin’ ol’ Brint was bein’ fooled by the boy’s outfit o’ yers? Not even wee Tera. She likes a bonny maid does our Tera.”
Wolfe raised an eyebrow as I blushed, but I refused to tell him about the night at Hope Tavern. Not that I was sure he’d appreciate me speaking to him anyway.
Anna was happy to offer us food and ale, and they put down blankets by the fire for us to sleep on. Wolfe was so mad at me, he slept at the kitchen table.
I didn’t think I had ever been happier to be on flat ground in my life.
I celebrated my last step off the Alvernian Mountains by rushing into the arms of Lieutenant Chaeron, who, unlike Wolfe, was happy to see me. I ignored Wolfe’s grunt as he strode past us. Chaeron squeezed me hard and I pulled back. Half the Guard filled the narrow trade road leading away from the mountains. They all pretended to be indifferent to my clothing and the fact that I was informally hugging Chaeron, treating him as a friend. But he was a friend. And I was thankful to see him again.
“Another hour and be damned Wolfe’s orders, I was coming up to get you both. I am delighted to see you are well, Miss Rogan.” Chaeron smiled wearily at me. I wondered if he’d slept much since my running away.
“You too, Chaeron. I got the plant!” I whispered excitedly.
He smiled in relief and then lifted his gaze to Wolfe, who was taking off the winter coat and replacing it with his emerald jacket. We both watched as he mounted his horse.