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He squeezes my hand one more time before giving it back to me. We start moving again.
“I don’t always know the right thing to say,” Kellyn says. “But you just remember that I’m here. You’re not alone.”
“Thank you.”
“Thank you for saving me,” he says. “Even though you probably didn’t want to in the end.”
How can he think that? “I would never leave you behind. I wouldn’t have been able to stand it if I’d gone through the wardrobe. I couldn’t be in Skiro’s Territory safe and sound while I had no idea what happened to you. I’m going mad as it is wondering what’s happened to Temra.”
“I didn’t know.”
“You think me so fickle as to just stop caring about what happens to you because you did some things I didn’t like?”
“The only constant in my life has ever been my family,” he says. “I travel so much. I can make friends with the people I work for, but when I get them to their destination, that’s it. I never see them again. I have to move on constantly. Otherwise, it’s just too damn depressing. I shouldn’t have assumed that you would be the same way.”
Does that mean that he’s moved on? Because he’s used to doing so constantly? That would be… good, right? We’ve fought too much and hurt each other too much to get past everything,haven’t we? I’m unsure. I’ve never broken up with someone before.
And yet, my heart feels hollow at the idea of him having moved on already.
After a moment, Kellyn lets out a single puff of a laugh. My neck cracks in his direction, certain he’s somehow heard my thoughts and laughing at me for some reason.
“Sorry,” he says, “I was just thinking about how last night was the second time I’ve woken up to you carting me off somewhere.”
“You should be grateful.”
“Oh, I am.” He laughs again.
“If you’re going to poke fun at me while I’m hurting, you can strike out on your own.” I really don’t want him to leave, but I have my pride. I tack on, “But all the food and supplies are mine. I bought them.”
“With the prince’s stolen dagger.”
“My argument still stands. And don’t forget it’s your fault that you’re in this mess.”
“As is everything.”
“Naturally.”
His smile is bright as he looks ahead at the road again. “I’ll take my chances with you, vicious though you are.”
The silence becomes companionable after that.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Before it gets too dark, I pull my gelding to a stop in front of some sort of maple tree with red leaves and branches close to the ground. Then I begin my climb.
Kellyn doesn’t ask what I’m doing. He wordlessly follows.
I used to climb trees all the time when I was little. It was an easy escape from everything. A hundred feet in the air, no one can find you or talk to you. What with our home in Lirasu on the edge of the city, access to the forest was quick.
My hands are covered in sap, my knees are scratched up, and I couldn’t feel better. The trees smell delicious. Different from the forest back home, but still fresh and green and free. The wind causes the tree to sway as I get closer to the top, and I giggle at the sensation.
And then I break the canopy.
It’s a sea of green with the occasional golds, oranges, and reds reflecting fall. It’s beautiful. Peaceful. Why can’t Ravis be satisfied with what he has? His land is gorgeous.
I point when Kellyn joins me up top. “There.”
He’s a bit out of breath, but his eyes land on the smoke. Just a few miles behind us.
