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She arched a brow, then scoffed a laugh. “I didn’t realize she needed a babysitter.”
He cringed, but I curled closer to him. “I don’t, but he’s right,” I said. “We stay together.”
“Fine.” She blew out a tense breath. “Then we’ll go together.”
“Not yet,” I stated, placing a hand over my stomach. “I need to eat.”
She smiled. “I brought sandwiches.”
Sebastian grimaced. “You have an answer for everything.”
I rolled my eyes, then stepped in front of him, blocking Avyanna’s view. “Thank you, Avyanna,” I said, but recalled what she’d said to Sebastian. She wanted me to run. That meant I didn’t trust her. No one cared that much about someone they didn’t know, especially when they had such high stakes in me defeating Salenia. “But I will eat at the cabin with the others. We will go later,” I reassured her, although I didn’t add that I wouldn’t be going alone. I lowered my barrier, acting as if I was looking around at the scenery. But there was nothing. She had her own barrier up, and I guessed she was probably an empath, too.
We walked around the outside of the lake toward the cabin, and I sensed restraint in mine and Sebastian’s bond. He didn’t take his eyes off Erianna and Salvor for a second. Salvor pretended not to notice, but every so often, he stole a glance in our direction.
We reached the cabin and Salvor opened the door. “I sent someone ahead to clean it,” he said stiffly. “Erianna,” he said, holding the front door open for her. She clenched her jaw, then walked inside.
I held my breath for a moment, looking around at the beauty of the surrounding mountains and the peaceful lake, remembering the last time we were here. The horizon glowed with a dazzling spectrum of colors, from deep pinks and oranges to soft lavenders and blues. The sun dipped below the horizon, spreading its warm golden light across the sky.
I opened the door and stepped into the room, feeling as if I had been transported to a lodge in the woods. The walls were formed from heavy logs, matching the furniture crafted from knotted wood, with antique fabrics draped across armrests and seat cushions.
Zach grabbed a box of matches from his pocket and struck one against the stone. He lit up a stack of papers left in a bucket by the fire and carefully placed them between the logs. The fire caught quickly, and it quickly crackled.. Wisps of smoke curled through the air, carrying along the scent of cedar and burning wood while filling the room with a warmth.
As I walked farther into the room, I noticed various paintings hung on the walls. One showed a majestic mountain range, with snow-capped peaks that reached up to the clouds, and another featured the god, Laveniuess, standing tall in the water. Rays of light seemed to leak from his muscular body.
Salvor walked into the first bedroom, along with his men. Erianna slipped away, joining Sebastian, Anna, Zach and I. Avyanna stood alone, staring at the painting of Laveniuess, her eyes narrowing.
I noticed a few bookshelves filled with old books and a typewriter. I ran my hand over the keys, feeling the smooth ridges of each letter, and was swept back to memories of writing short stories. I hadn't pursued my hobbies again since everything happened. In fact, I'd barely caught my breath. I glared at the typewriter, a reminder of my old life, a piece of me left behind before all the politics, death and torture—back when life was simpler. But as I gazed at my husband and friends, I realized I'd gained a lot too.
I slowly opened the second bedroom door. The musky smell of wood and musty blankets hit me as I stepped inside. A small bed was tucked in the corner, and light spilled in from a large window that revealed a stunning view of the lake and jagged mountains beyond.
“So, this is it,” I said. “We'll all be sharing a room.”
Sebastian laughed. “Looks like it.”
“Sebastian and I will take the sofa,” I offered, but Erianna shook her head.
“No.” She sat on the edge of a large wooden storage box. “You and Anna can sleep in the bed.”
“I'm immortal now, remember? I'll be fine on the floor.”
Sebastian rolled his eyes. “All three of you ladies can take the bed.”
Erianna laughed. “And who said chivalry is dead?”
I settled onto the edge of the bed and closed my eyes. A sense of calm and contentment washed over me, but then faint murmurs from the other room seeped into ours, the familiar voices coming from Malum Dominor.
I looked at Erianna, my chest sinking. “You shouldn’t have said yes,” I whispered.
Sebastian nodded. “Don’t worry, she won’t be going.” His voice was barely a whisper, then mouthed ‘with him.’
She shot him a look, praying he had some plan to get Erianna out of the grasp of Malum Dominor—Salvor especially.
Avyanna appeared in the doorway, her eyes fixed on me. “Ready to go?”
“Not yet.” I placed my hand on my stomach and Anna stood.
“I’m going to make soup,” Anna announced. “I’m sure I can pull some ingredients together.”
