Page 163 of A Sanctuary from Shadow
Yes, Pete had said he wanted my help killing Gentian because he wanted me to save myself from the certain hell awaiting me at the Shadow Palace. But hearing him and believing him were two different things. Fear and paranoia had prevented me from seeing his intentions as anything other than selfish. But right then, as Pete comforted me without seeking escape from my dangerous, volatile state—something even Briar hadn’t managed—his compassion enveloped me as if it were a hug.
Now, I understood that Pete, with his whole heart, didn’t want me to live the horrors he had, that he dreaded that fate for me. And that he wouldn’t ask such impossible feats of me if there were any other options. That in forging this plot against Gentian, he was risking his life—his soul. For me. And the millions upon millions who were under the Shadow Prince’s thumb.
“Then let’s stop him,” I finally answered Pete, my voice as raw as my heart. “Let’s stop him forever.”
Twenty-Seven
Twoweekslater,Peteand I traversed the sandy footpath weaving between massive, pastel banyan trees, their feathery leaves arcing over us, shading us from the increasingly hot suns. The Summer Court, my mother’s home, loomed on my horizon.
“You’re improving,” Pete said as I plodded beside him, counting my many bruises. Training that morning had been arduous. Productive but arduous. I only had a spring in my step because I wasn’t the only one sporting new injuries.
Not that I’d wanted to hurt Pete, but that’s just what happens when a guy plays with fire sylphen. And now I couldn’t help smirking at the rough-hewn bandage on his neck, or the hairs singed off his manly knuckles. He seemed pleased with his battle scars too.
“If you don’t quit taunting me while we’re training, you’ll see alotof improvement out of me.”
“Aye, Shorty, but I meant the fire you sparked when you weren’t apparently angry. We need you to control your power no matter your emotional state, and you were doing just that near the end.” He chuckled. “That’s how you got me in my neck. Without your eyes glowing red as embers, I wasn’t expecting that last bolt. Took me quite off guard, you did.”
“I do that every now and then.” I smirked at him. Which made him smirk right back.
Wonder what color my eyes are now.
Even after he’d turned away, I would’ve bet money he could tell me from memory.
“You’re improving too.”
Probably thinking something along the cocky ass lines of,Can’t improve upon perfection, Pete arched a brow. “Am I?”
“Yeah. You’re not nearly as big a drag as you were when we started this trip.”
He eyed me. “Thank you?”
I didn’t explain my idiom, his mystification entertaining.
Suddenly, Pete emitted a strident whistle that made me jump in my boots and Bob bray to a halt. Seriously, the literal ass would rupture my eardrums if he didn’t stop making such atrocious sounds.
“Sionna, stay on the road!” Pete called, but she merrily zigged into the woods. “Sionna!” She didn’t zag back out.
Cussing, Pete clomped to the back of the wagon, began untying his bow.
“Has she done this before?”
“Aye. She’s caught the scent of some rodent, no doubt.” Shouldering his quiver, he plucked the bow free of its bolt. “Should make sure that’s it, though, aye?”
I started toward the coppice Sionna had wandered into.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Pete chuckled as he fell into my step. “And unarmed, to boot?”
“Psh! Unarmed?” I snapped, my fingers sparking like a lighter. “Please.”
Pete sniffed. “That fleeting ember couldn’t light a candle, and you think it’ll help us vanquish whatever evil lies ahead?”
Though I slowed, I didn’t stop. “You think there’s evil ahead?”
“Damned if I know, Shorty, but I doubt you’re capable of defending us if there is.”
Sneering, I flipped my hair at him and stalked ahead. “We’ll see about that. Don’t even think about trying to stop me.”
Pete dogged my heels. “Why would I do that? Whatever you attempt, it’ll surely be a fine thing to watch.”
