Page 54 of A Vow of Shadows
“Is that why you’re helping her?”
“You know why I’m helping her.”
“But does she?”
“Sheis right here,” I interjected. “And I don’t appreciate being spoken about as if I wasn’t.”
Evander appeared chastened as he looked down, clearing his throat. “We should go.”
“Nonsense.” Sam’s smile returned, and the space brightened. “There is room enough here for two more.”
It was then I noticed Inky and Storm hovering nearby. Had it been my imagination or had they closed in when the conversation had taken a turn? Though they now bobbed innocuously near the rafters, Sam watched them with undisguised curiosity, his gaze sliding down to take in Evander and myself as well.
“I appreciate what you’ve done for us, but our presence here jeopardizes your safety. It would be foolish to harbor us.” Evander stepped to my side, offering his hand to help me stand.
Sam slammed his glass upon the mantel. “Behryn can suck my bollocks. Begging your pardon, my lady.” He didn’t look sorry at all as he dipped his head in my direction. “His Fangs will need longer than the day to recover and you’re safer here away from prying eyes.”
Evander’s eyes met mine, indecision written across his face. I shifted and winced as a sharp pain lanced up my leg. His gaze dropped to my bandaged ankle, and I got the feeling he was weighing our options. When his face lifted again, his features had hardened with resolve.
“Fine,” he said. “We’ll stay, but only until it is safe for Miss Fil’Owen to travel again. And she gets the bedroom.”
Sam tipped his head. “Agreed.”
Chapter 37
The Ferrier
Ididn’t wait for Sam to show us to the bedroom. It was easy enough to find. There was only one other doorway off the main room besides the front door. A beaded curtain partitioned it from the rest of the cabin, swaying in a phantom breeze.
Katrin’s weight at my side was a welcome distraction as I helped her into the adjoining room. I gripped her tightly, knowing it wasn’t just her injury dragging her down.
What Sam had said…my hands clenched in memory of the hurtful words—words that had hit their target if the expression on her face was any indication. They’d struck a chord with me as well, but if Sam had hoped to sway me to his side, he’d failed. If anything, the urge to protect her had intensified.
Katrin may not be fighting for something as foolishly noble as love, but maybe if I’d had the sense to fight for my own life, I wouldn’t be stuck in perpetual purgatory. I wouldn’t let the same fate befall Katrin.
The beads jingled as I pulled the curtain aside. Katrin tensed at the sound but didn’t hesitate to enter the room beyond.Together, we hobbled toward the only piece of furniture in the room.
The bed was modest with a simple wooden frame and a mattress barely large enough for two people. Worn but tidy linens lay haphazardly overtop.
I slipped the cloak from Katrin’s shoulders, marking the blood and dirt upon it. For a moment, I’d forgotten she was mortal. Forgotten how vulnerable she was in this place of ghosts and monsters. The bright red of her blood had been a harsh reminder.
My fingers lingered on her shoulders, seeking reassurance she’d survived.
She sighed beneath my touch, and I yanked my hands away as though I’d been burned. Worried she’d felt my sudden recoil, I reached out to help her into the bed. Her delicate fingers were dwarfed by my own, but the strength of her grip was true to the stubborn woman I’d come to know.
Her eyes remained downcast as I pulled the covers over her legs.
“Kat.” I kept my voice low, but I knew she heard me from the flicker of movement at the corner of her mouth.
“I knew you called me Kat.”
The knot that had formed in my chest eased at the sound of her voice, though she still refused to meet my gaze. My hands itched to touch her, to hold her hand and run my fingers over her soft skin.
I fisted my hands and sat at the foot of the bed a safe distance away.
“Are you alright?” I asked quietly.
She looked at me then. Silver lined her eyes. Her bottom lip trembled until she captured it between her teeth.