Page 92 of Dawn of Hope
“Don’t worry,” I say, reaching up and lifting mine off of my torso to hand to him. “You can take mine.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
The clearing is bright and empty as Fin and I come through the portal back into camp. I expect and welcome the quiet. Everyone will probably still be gone for hours, and my ears haven’t stopped ringing slightly since the explosion. All I want is a nice cool shower, and to lie down for a while.
It takes me longer to make it up the ladder, my grip strength still recovering after hanging off the side of the mountain. After pulling myself onto the platform, I am immediately met with heavy footsteps getting closer and a deep voice calling out.
“What happened?”
Dane is in front of me in moments, his hands cupping my shoulders, his eyes assessing me, taking in all of my scrapes and bruises. “Are you hurt?”
“I’ll be okay. The mountain exploded.”
His face is etched with concern that doesn’t ease at all with my statement.
I place my hand over his and give it a small squeeze. “I’ll be fine. I just really want to wash all of this dust off.”
“I’ll get you some food, Lennox!” Fin yells before sprinting toward the tavern.
Dane moves to my side and wraps his arm around my waist for support as I hobble along the planks.
“Did you break anything? Anything serious?”
“I don’t think so. I’m going to be really sore. I have a pretty nasty cut on my hand that I need to clean out and put some salve on. Otherwise, I just really want to lie down.”
“Where were you? How did you make it out?”
I tell him everything, all about the paths and how the explosion left me hanging above the jagged rock. “Fin saved me. We broke his bow, though.”
“Another one should appear for him, if not now, within the next few days.”
“That’s alright, he has mine.”
Dane doesn’t respond, and when I sneak a glance at him, he looks thoughtful.
“Which side of the mountain were you on?”
“The back side. I’m not ready to go near the falls yet.”
He nods, lost in thought.
We walk up the stairs toward the showers and his arm slides away from my back.
“You aren’t going anywhere, right? Can I talk to you after?”
“I don’t have to go if you don’t want me to.” He smirks and closes the distance between us, his eyes glimmering with mischief.
I roll my eyes, but I can’t hide the heat in my cheeks. I give him a playful shove that is met with a low chuckle.
“Alright, alright, I know what you mean. I’ll meet you in the tavern?”
“Thank you.”
He brushes a light kiss over my lips and winks before turning to stride back down the stairs. I shower quickly but thoroughly, letting thecool water soothe the aches and pains and wash away the mixture of dust and sweat plastered to my skin. While I’d become more accustomed to being around so many people, it is nice to have a little space to myself to just think.
I’d been so close to death today…again, and it didn’t get any easier to deal with.
The highs of surviving are starting to wear off, and I can feel the sinking realization of how this place is not just the wonderful and magnificent, magical island it appears to be.