She looked at Kaelan. “You have yet to eat. I will bathe while you satisfy your hunger, then you can bathe.” She turned a smile on Kilham. “We will be at Winnie’s cottage where a meal waits for Kaelan.”
“Winnie will have Tibby show you the way,” Kilham said. “We will talk again.”
Bria followedTibby along a narrow path winding between cottages and towering trees, grateful for the quiet after everything that had happened since entering Driochmor.
The little fellow trotted happily ahead of her, pausing now and then to glance back as though making certain she remained behind him. His long ears bounced with each eager step, bringing the first genuine smile to her face since leaving Winnie’s cottage.
“You seem pleased with yourself,” she said softly.
Tibby gave a proud little yap in response.
Bria laughed faintly beneath her breath, though the sound faded quickly as the cool autumn wind stirred around them. The day had grown steadily colder since morning, and now heavy gray clouds gathered overhead, thick enough to swallow what little sunlight remained. The scent of rain lingered heavily in the air.
She pulled her cloak tighter about herself.
“A warm bath sounds more wonderful than you could possibly understand,” she told Tibby.
The little fellow barked again as though agreeing entirely.
Bria’s smile softened, though her thoughts drifted once more toward Kaelan.
She found herself surprised he had allowed her to go alone.
Not that she expected him to accompany her into the cave itself. The very thought brought warmth instantly to her cheeks. Such a thing would hardly be proper.
Still… she had expected resistance.
A warning perhaps. Or that look he gave her whenever he thought danger might be near. Instead, he had simply agreed.
The realization unsettled her more than it should have.
Why?
Did he finally trust Driochmor enough not to fear for her safety? Or perhaps he trusted Tibby to guide her there and back unharmed.
Or perhaps… Bria frowned faintly. Perhaps he simply needed distance from her as much as she suddenly needed distance from him.
Not that she truly did. The ache that always managed to settle in her chest when she was not near Kaelan had settled there as soon as he was out of sight. She couldn’t possibly miss him, but she did. At least that was what she believed she felt, his absence.
Before she could dwell on it further, Tibby disappeared around a cluster of large stones ahead.
Bria followed quickly and slowed in surprise.
The entrance to the cave rested partially hidden behind a curtain of trailing vines and moss-covered rock, the opening wide enough for two people to walk through side by side. Warm mist drifted softly from within, curling into the chill autumn air.
And beneath it all… a faint glow.
Bria stepped inside slowly.
The cave stretched farther than she expected, smooth stone walls arching overhead while soft shimmering light rose from the water itself, casting gentle silver reflections throughout the cavern. Steam curled lazily across the glowing pool, the warmth already easing the chill from her skin before she had even touched the water.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered.
Tibby yapped once, clearly pleased by her reaction, then turned and padded back toward the entrance.
Bria looked after him in surprise. “Leaving already?”
The little fellow gave another bark as though assuring her he would return later. Likely with Kaelan.
