Page 56 of Forged in Fading

“I know.”

The stars glittered in the sky above them, a reminder of how the world always managed to move on, even when it felt like the very foundation beneath it had crumbled to dust. Even when the darkness felt all consuming, it could never stop the sun from rising or time from marching ever onward, toward a new day.

Chapter Twenty-One

Sunlight burned through Alvara’s eyelids, and she covered them with a drowsy arm. Sleep had evaded her in the tent she shared with Kat—either because she had already become embarrassingly accustomed to Boden’s presence at night, or because she had been slightly concerned he might murder Pyry in their own tent.

“I’m sorry,” Kat said from beside her, her voice small and crusted with sleep.

They hadn’t breached the topic all night, but it couldn’t be avoided forever. “I’m not sure what you want me to say.”

“It was unforgivable, what I did. I knew, before even seeing you, that you would want to stay. And I was selfish, so selfish, forcing you to leave because I was scared. I was so scared for you, Alvara.”

“And the sleeping powder?”

“Not my proudest moment.” Kat sat up and pressed her palms into her cheeks. “But gods, you’re so terrifying in the best way. I would know, you almost killed me. I didn’t know how you would react when I brought the news that King Ulivar wouldn’t help, let alone what you would do if I tried to get you to leave.” Her hands dropped to her sides, her shoulders slumping. “It was easier to not give you a choice. It doesn’t undo anything, and I know that. But I am really sorry.”

Maintaining her soul-withering anger was sapping every last dreg of Alvara’s energy. It wasn’t accomplishing anything other than making them all miserable, and Kat hadn’t even held a grudge against her for almost taking her life. Alvara could at least try to understand and start to move on. “Thank you for the apology. But if you ever drug me again, you’ll find out how terrifying I really can be.”

Kat laughed, and the sound lightened the load on Alvara’s shoulders. “I know…but it sounds kind of fun.”

Someone grumbled outside the tent. Alvara left, only to find Boden at the center of their camp, his hair disheveled as if he’d been doing his best to rip it out of his head. Dark bags hung under his eyes, and the corners of his mouth drooped. “I didn’t kill him, if that’s why you’re giving me that look. Though I most definitely could have. Did you know he talks in his sleep?”

Alvara breathed slowly to avoid giggling at his distress. “I know. You get used to it.”

“Right. I suppose you would.”

“Alva?” Pyry’s groggy voice drifted from the tent.

They both looked at each other.

“You saved him. He’s your responsibility.” Alvara crossed her arms.

“He’s your…whatever you are.”

“Eloquent. You owe me.”

Boden pursed his lips. “Why do I have the feeling you’ll always find reasons why I owe you so you’re able to order me around?”

“Please don’t make me go in there.”

“Alva!” Pyry’s voice had grown more frantic.

“Your lover calls.” Boden gestured to the tent.

“Vitharen help me, do not call him my lover. You’ll make me sick.”

He brandished a sheathed dagger and placed it in her hands. “We removed this from him when we…”

“Attacked him? Abducted him?”

“Invited him to join us on our delightful journey. I’ll leave it up to you to decide whether you think he should have it back before or after he loses his mind.”

Alvara gripped the weapon and steeled herself for whatever state Pyry had worked himself into.

To her pleasant surprise, it only took a few rounds of tense conversation to calm him down enough to untie him and bring him into camp to eat. Because apparently Boden had left him tied from head to toe all night.

“You’re helping demi-elves?” He said the word with obvious disdain.