Colm didn’t buy that the only way they were going to catch the false Ardin, Laed and Kynar, was if she was with them. There had to be more to it, but his mind shied away from the most likely possibilities. He didn’t want to think about that. It couldn’t be. He wouldn’t make himself vulnerable in that way.
As they left the city, he looked at the trees. He should have realized she’d head straight for the forest. She’d wanted to be alone and have time to calm down before all this happened. The forest offered a haven away from the people and buildings.
Colm spotted her. She sat on the ground, scrunched up with her chin on her knees and her eyes closed. She must be lost in thought, because she hadn’t heard them approach. Her black hair hung over her arms. The ends fluttered around her calves in the light breeze. It partially covered the minor scar on her cheek, although he knew the mark wasn’t so insignificant to her.
Her position hid her curvy form. A cream-colored shirt covered lushly full breasts that made him want to reach out and cup them. Not that she’d given any indication that she’d stand still for that. He took a deep breath and focused. Time to see what conclusions she’d come to while she was thinking, but she had better realize they weren’t letting her disappear. The woman deserved safety and security and she’d get it even if she didn’t realize she needed it.
“Whenever you feel like talking, we’re waiting.” Linc’s voice silenced the animals in the forest.
Cami gasped and her eyes popped open. Her head snapped up and smacked into the tree behind her. The thud made him wince even as her hands rose to cradle her head. Her eyes clenched shut. She moaned a little before opening her eyes and blinking furiously. He’d guess she was having a little trouble focusing.
She drew back against the tree and her eyes widened. He frowned. Was she afraid of them? It took him only a moment to realize that given her history, she probably expected some kind of retaliation. Not to mention they probably looked larger than normal given her position on the ground.
Her eyes moved to Linc. After studying him a moment, she relaxed a little.
“Are you all right? That sounded as though it hurt.” Colm took a step closer.
She reached up and rubbed a hand over the back of her head. A grimace crossed her face, but when she pulled her hand back, he didn’t see any blood.
“It hurts. I’m not going to try to stand just yet, but it should be fine. What did you want to start with?” She took a deep breath. Her hands loosely looped around her legs.
He didn’t want her afraid of them. How were they going to get past the distrust she now had for anyone in a leader position?
“Let’s start with how this all started. Maybe it will help us understand how this happened.” Linc stood with his feet braced apart.
Colm waited. She licked her lips and her hands clenched.
“I was frustrated. First my power was already a little high, but it’s been staying that way. So until it began feeding on my emotions, I wasn’t too worried. Then I became angry when Avan paid for the cloth on your orders.” She narrowed her eyes at him specifically as if she thought he was behind it.
She was right. Linc had mentioned her not having much with her, but he hadn’t been going to press it until they reached the Thent. Colm saw no reason to delay. He’d arranged for Avan to take her to get some cloth. He hadn’t guessed how that would end.
“You’ll need more clothes when we reach the Thent. Go on with your explanation.” Colm smiled and hooked his thumb on his belt.
“I was going to take it up with you, but by the time we got to the inn, the magic was too high. I knew it and there was the chance that I couldn’t control it. I told him that I needed some time and that I wanted to wait. He ignored everything I said, just as you did.” She shook her head, but then groaned. Her hand cupped the back of her head.
“We weren’t ignoring what you were saying. We were going to talk to you about it.” Linc’s voice softened.
“No one has been listening to me. And then the room was so crowded and you wanted