Of Thorn and Thread (Daughters of Eville #4) - Chanda Hahn Page 0,19

way in and sat down, out of the wind, curling my knees up to my chest, the cloak gathering around me like a red cocoon. He followed me as his eyes adjusted and saw that it was fifteen feet deep but a little more than ten feet across.

“You are one of the most reckless women I’ve ever met,” Liam chastised when nothing appeared to eat me. He sheathed his sword and headed toward the back to explore. I sighed and pressed my forehead to my knees and concentrated on trying to not freeze to death.

A clatter of wood dropped in front of me, and I jumped. Liam had found enough dry material in the cave to make a fire, but he reached for his pack and groaned. “My flint and steel were in the horse’s saddlebags.”

“Stand back,” I said.

He didn’t move, but leaned back on his heels and searched the cave. “Maybe I can find a piece of flint in here.”

“I got it.” Still, he didn’t hear me. “Okay, if you go up in flames, not my problem.”

I reached out my hand toward the kindling under the logs.

“Fiergo.”

The kindling burst into flames, Liam fell backwards with a yelp. “You could have warned me,” he cried.

“I did,” I said smugly, taking off his cloak. I spread it out so it would dry faster. Then I move closer to the fire, so it would dry my nightdress that was now plastered to every curve of my body.

She’s nothing but skin and bones.

I sucked in a breath. My lips pinched together in anger and I turned to give him my back. There’s no way I would let his comments affect me. Oh stars. They did. I could feel the pain of rejection hit me and I wiped at the corner of my eyes as tears threatened to spill forth. I didn’t have experience with men, other than Lorn and the lecherous men of the village. Liam was the only normal person I’ve met, and his opinions of me were hurtful.

I heard the rustle of rocks and dirt as he settled in close to the fire. The slap of buckles being undone echoed, and I knew he was removing his sword and boots.

“How did you do that with the fire?” he asked.

“Magic. You kidnapped a sorceress, after all.”

“I just didn’t expect you to summon fire.”

“I can’t,” I said stiffly. “That’s about the limit of my power over fire. It’s not my natural affinity.”

“There are affinities?”

The fire cast an orange glow that danced across the cave wall. Absently, I traced my finger along the shadows as I explained. “There are many kinds of magic. Farmers are strong in earth magic; blacksmiths have an affinity for fire. But most people are not strong enough to sense magic or control it. I was tested at a young age by Lorn and given my course of study. Lighting a fire is a basic spell, even most fae can do it. I can light a candle, lanterns and start small fires, but calling down a firestorm is beyond my training or abilities.”

“What can you do?” he asked. I heard the worry in his voice. “I saw what you did to the man in the village. What kind of magic was that?” Maybe I made a mistake, and she isn’t strong enough to help me.

I gritted my teeth, and I glared over my shoulder at him. “You saw it. I can light a fire.”

Oh heaven, I’m in trouble. I should take her back now. She will not be able to help me at all. My troops are a week’s ride away still, but to take her back would delay my quest even more.

“Shut up,” I snapped, squeezing my eyes closed.

“I didn’t say anything,” Liam said in confusion.

I covered my mouth when I realized I spoke in reaction to his thoughts. “Sorry, I was talking to myself.”

What an odd girl.

I pressed my forehead to the cave wall and wanted to disappear through it. The cold stone felt comforting against the embarrassment flaming my skin. In fact, the heat from the fire was almost becoming uncomfortable. I curled on my side, my back to the fire and Liam, ignoring the hunger pain in my belly and the sweat that pooled across my skin from the heat.

I occupied my time concentrating on the sounds of the rain outside. Slowly counting and listening to the even breaths of Liam. When they deepened, signaling he was sleeping, I rolled over and stared at his handsome