Myles smirks, his dimples lighting up his weary face. “Kali said it would be fine. They disappear again once the full silver moon fades.” My stomach rumbles again. “Come on, we need to get you some food.”
I try to stand using Myles for support, but my legs give way, stumbling back to the bed, unable to hold my own weight. Myles places his arms underneath mine and gently hoists me up, holding firm until I find some stability.
With a shaky exhale, I find my feet. Now, to get to the kitchen for some food. Myles wraps my good arm around his shoulder and bears my weight, walking out of my room into a small dining area. Kali and Lura sit at the kitchen table, chopping vegetables and throwing them into a pan, looking up as we walk in.
Kali’s face is full of pride. Pride in me for walking, albeit not on my own. Lura’s face shows something different, worry, maybe.
For me. For her.I can’t tell.
Myles guides me over to an armchair facing a large fireplace. I sink into the warm, velvety, plush chair, embracing its heat against my skin. Myles grabs a blanket and lays it over my legs before heading into the kitchen.
Despite sitting across the blazing fire, an icy chill resides deep within my skin. Pulling the blanket up around my shoulders, I scan the peculiarly decorated room. The walls are a mismatch of floral wallpaper, like Lura couldn’t decide which one she preferred and chose them all. Oddly shaped ornaments line a clash of colourful shelves, along with ceramic, curiously shaped vases. Some in the shape of heads, others of body parts.
The fire is snugly surrounded by a large mantel, with pastel framed paintings spread out along the top. I assume of Kali and Lura’s lost family by their similar features. Kali said that only she and her sister remained, but she never did say how that came to be. It didn’t occur to me that she and I were alike in that matter, at least she has her sister. No one from my real family survived.
Myles rustles about the small, quaint kitchen. Teapots sit charmingly on the shelf in a variety of animal shapes, the most unique resembling a tree, with the spout and handle decorated as branches, and the lid is a nest housing baby birds.
Gathering a small collection of food for me, Myles gently squeezes past the sisters. I’m surprised that he knows exactly where everything is, but I guess that makes sense if we have truly been here for weeks now. He looks at home here.
Lura’s kitchen reminds me of Mum’s. Carefully organised with everything in its place, pans simmering on the stove, billowing glorious smells through the air. My stomach agonisingly rumbles.
Myles places an assortment of bread, crackers, cured meat, and cheese on a table at my side. “Small bites. Okay?” he says, slumping into a chair opposite me.
I nod, picking at the arrangement, my eyes dipping in the warmth. Regardless of being unconscious for weeks, I am surprisingly tired.
Lura walks over with a glass, sitting it beside the plate. “Have some more water.” She watches me carefully, I imagine she’s trying to figure me out. Kali is her sister, and she has known Myles for weeks now. I am the odd man out. Lura is cautious by nature, so it makes sense that she is wary of me.
“I’ll have a tea, if you have it?” I say with a mouthful of food.
Lura smiles with thin lips. “I wouldn’t recommend that.” I shrug, scoffing more food into my mouth. “You should slow down. Your stomach needs time to adjust.” I nod, knowing full well I’m not going to take her advice. My stomach aches for more. If there should be consequences, I’ll deal with them later.
Kali squeezes in beside me, pulling the blanket over her knees. “Budge up.”
I’m glad to have my friend here, someone who understands magic. Maybe notmykind of magic, but more than I know.
“You’ll help me, won’t you?”
Kali stares into the fire, its light dancing in her golden eyes, making them glow like embers.“We will both help where we can. Like I said, I’ve never seen anything like that before, I don’t know what we can do to help… but we’ll try.” Touching her finger to my nose, she says, “Once you’re better.”
Chapter Thirty
Wyatt
Lilah’s illusions were far too real for my liking. I can still feel the tiny legs crawling up my arms and neck. The rancid troll’s breath still lingers in the air, his rough, wart-riddled hand squeezing around my waist. I shudder at the memory.
Ronan mentioned in passing yesterday that today would be a rest day. I haven’t had a rest day since I was trapped in that pit. The lack of a schedule can only mean one thing: the last trial.
Arel has been surprisingly secretive about it, although not without a little toying. Pretending to let things slip now and again. I feign disinterest, which riles him right up; he’s too easy. In truth, I have never been more ready. Let’s get this thing over and done with, so I can finally prove myself, and that I can help in the hunt for my family.
Despite the trials and the rigorous training, I’ve formed friendships with these guys. A village full of misfits like me. Everyone has issues, and no one judges you for them. I’ve spent so long trying to figure out ways out of here that I didn’t realise it started to feel like home. Dealing with the guilt of it all, the trial went to the back of my mind. How can I feel at home, safe, fed, and happy while they are trapped? Because of me.
It’s been too long with no word on where they are. I can feel it in my bones that they’re still alive. But that doesn’t mean they’re not being beaten or starved. The thought pierces my heart like an arrow. The pain becoming unbearable. I push the thoughts from my mind, as I always do, to avoid them. Tucking them intoa little box. If I think too much about them, I won’t be able to do what needs to be done.
Arel practically skips to the mess table this morning, his face brimming with excitement, like a child with a new toy.
“It’s ready,” he announces, slapping me on the back with such force that my body jerks forward. Quickly, I turn to get revenge, but he is already backing away, shouting, “Hurry up.”
Everyone sitting at the table turns to him, rolling their eyes or rubbing the bridge of their nose. I groan, taking another bite of my roll before grudgingly following him. I’m caught by surprise when Ronan gets up and follows me, patting me on the shoulder.
