Page 32 of In Darkness Forged
Swallowing every instinct that insisted she couldn’t possibly put that in her mouth, Aislin picked up a piece and stubbornly bit down. If he could do it, so could she.
As the taste flooded her tongue, and she prepared herself to be revolted, the night elf casually added, “It’s fish.”
She nearly choked.
And on the corner of that grim mouth, she saw the very faintest hint of a smile.
CHAPTER9
The human did not lack for nerve.
But it was not enough, and Tal knew he shouldn’t even consider wavering. If he allowed her to accompany him and something terrible should happen, he would bear the weight of another pointless death on his shoulders. And yet, if he continued to deny her, she would only persist in following him, and death would be all but certain.
Yes, she’d defeated a single render, but that one had likely been the hungry, desperate remnant of the pack he’d destroyed. He could try to convince her of the folly of her course, but she wouldn’t listen. He knew, because… he’d done the same. He’d been warned not to seek his revenge on Paendreth, and look where his stubbornness had landed him.
But Lani had been all he had left. He would have done anything to spare her pain, but instead, he’d delivered her straight to her death.
His trusting, beautiful sister had never wanted to believe that the night elves would reject them for their Dairen blood. Had never understood why their heritage should make any difference, and in the end, she’d paid the price for Tal’s reluctance to destroy her innocent optimism.
He never should have agreed to return. Should have looked for help elsewhere, but who in all the world might have understood the struggles of a half-elf shapeshifter?
And considering the human’s tale, perhaps it was no better anywhere. Perhaps all people feared what was different and sought to destroy one another to lessen that fear.
“Thank you,” the human said, interrupting his thoughts with her quiet words. “The fish was delicious.” She set down the leaf she’d used as a plate and folded her arms tightly across her chest. The moment her hand touched her right arm, however, she hissed in surprise and pain.
Rising from his crouch by the fire, Tal approached her and knelt down to grasp her arm, ignoring her quiet protest that she was fine.
“Render claws can cause infection,” he said coolly. “We must clean it. That is if you intend to keep this arm.”
Her glance was cautious and questioning. “Why did you change your mind about helping me?”
“Cuan likes you,” Tal responded brusquely, and was surprised by her quiet laugh.
“How long have the two of you been friends?”
He cocked his head, curiosity roused in spite of his determination to rebuff her. Most outside of Sion Dairach failed to understand the bonds many elves shared with their dreadwolf mounts. “You assume we travel together out of friendship?”
“He hasn’t eaten you yet, so yes, I assume you must be friends.” Her dry tone left no doubt that she intended to needle him.
“We bonded over ten years ago.” He wasn’t sure why he told her even that much.
“Are wolves of his size common here?”
She was trying very hard not to show any fear of his answer, and for some reason, that made him want to needle her in return.
“Only the males are that size,” he replied, straight-faced. “The females are larger, and this time of year, they are desperate for meat to feed their cubs.”
As if he understood every word, Cuan turned to yawn at him, showing every glistening fang in the process.
“I see.”
The human turned her attention to rolling up her sleeve, baring the deep, bloody scratch left behind by the render’s claw. Thankfully, it shouldn’t require stitches—just washing and binding.
“Do you have any way for me to boil water?” Her firm tone made it clear that she intended to deal with the entire task herself.
Tal watched as she rose carefully from the ground. Not so he could help her, he reminded himself. He needed to know how resilient she was if he were to consider allowing…
But he was not considering it.