‘Things will get better,’ she offers with surprising compassion.
‘I hope so.’
We lapse back into silence, though this time I’m grateful for it.
Later, as we sit for dinner, I go to the satchels to look through the food that the tavern owner supplied. To my dismay, I realise there’s lots of fresh fruit. Delicious, yes, but soft fruit will turn quickly.
There is far less bread and dried food than we need, and I want to hit myself for not checking the supplies before we left Galreck.
‘Most of the wood is damp,’ Benny says as he tries to make himself useful, collecting kindling for the fire. ‘Must have rained here last night. I’m not sure it’ll even burn.’
‘I can dry it. Well, I can try,’ Ruben suggests.
‘You want a boost?’ I ask.
‘That’d be good.’ He nods. ‘You think you can do it again?’
‘Only one way to find out.’
As it happens, it’s remarkably easy to transfer some magic to Ruben, although drying the wood isn’t quite as straightforward as he hoped, and the first two branches instantly end up as ash. But within a few more tries he’s got it down, and it doesn’t take long until a fire’s blazing.
Most of us huddle around it, desperate to get some warmth. The only one who remains on the edge is Kyor, as if our collective betrayals are contagious.
Part of me wants to beg him to join us. He shouldn’t suffer because of us, and that wound of his isn’t going to heal right if it’s seizing from the cold.
But he’s a grown man and it’s not like he’s going to listen to me. Still, once the rest of us are settled, I hand out some fruit.
‘We didn’t get the best supplies. Sorry,’ I confess, unsure why I’m apologising. He was the one to request supplies; he could have specifiedwhat we wanted, but I should have checked them. This was a joint fuck-up.
Kyor doesn’t respond. Clearly, he’s in no mood for conversation, especially with me.
I’m sure I’m not the only one wondering if Elska will be willing to hunt for us, but none of us are foolish enough to suggest such a thing just now. Kyor’s pain is hers. Kyor’s hurt is hers. And Kyor’s anger … well, I’m willing to bet she’s got that and some more.
The wolf has definitely been giving me the cold shoulder today, along with her rider. I try to keep it off my face, how much it bothers me. So much for thinking the two of us were bonding.
‘I’ll sort my own food out,’ Kyor says as he stands up. ‘Elska wants to hunt. I’ll go with her.’
‘Are you sure?’ I ask. ‘There’s plenty here that needs eating. And you need to keep up your strength.’
‘So now you’re concerned for me?’ he grunts before turning and disappearing into the night.
My warm face reddens further. Nothing like airing your dirty laundry for all and sundry to see.
‘Seems to have forgotten that you nearly killed yourself riding through the night on a dire wolf to save his sorry arse,’ Ruben mutters.
He’s not wrong, but I get why Kyor is mad. I do. He told me he loved me, then found me with the man responsible for killing Zelle. For threatening his entire kingdom. After what he went through with Thea, believing she loved him only to realise it was all a farce, I get why this pain cuts deep, but is it any deeper than the ways he’s cut me? The way he refused to clear my mother’s name?
I sigh. We both hold anger and hurt, though I seem to be the only one who’s trying to keep it together given there’s more at stake right now than broken hearts.
I pick up one of the peaches and take a large bite. Might as well build my strength while the food lasts. It’ll spoil if we don’t.
Everyone remains awkwardly silent after the exchange, but a moment later Benny stands up and takes a seat next to me.
‘Look, I’ve been thinking about this, and I know it’s not great for you personally right now, but maybe it’s an opportunity.’
‘An opportunity?’ I question. ‘How?’
He nods and leans forward, eager. ‘Rose, you know better than anyone what it’s like for people out there. Common people. Folk in the slums. And now Kyor knows a little more about the rebellion, we can be more open. With you on our side, more people will listen.’
