Frey (The Frey Saga, #1)(44)

Ruby took it from my hand, “We’ll get you fitted with a sheath.”

I stood there, facing Chevelle, breathless but grinning. He was smiling appreciatively. I realized we were still being watched and sheepishly turned from him to join the group as they prepared a fire for dinner. The evening was filled with stories and laughter. I noticed Chevelle's eyes on me often. He seemed in better spirits and I wondered again about his morning guest.

Rhys and Rider approached and most of the group went over to meet them. Steed moved to sit beside me. “Very nice today, Frey,” he observed. I smiled. “You seem to be a natural.” I snorted.

Across the fire I noticed Grey leaning over to speak in Ruby’s ear. Steed saw me scrutinize them. “Are they… together?” I asked. I was confident in Grey's affection, but they didn’t act like a traditional pair.

He sighed quietly as we watched them, “No.”

There seemed to be more to his answer. “But, well, he…” I wasn’t sure how to phrase it.

“Yes.” Steed glanced back at me when he spoke. “But you can’t always have the one you want, Frey.” His voice was soft, yearning. I could never tell if he was teasing.

“I heard once you could die from grief.”

He smiled at my subject change. “It’s true. I’ve seen it myself.”

“Tell me about it.”

“No, too sad.” He was thoughtful for a moment. “I worried… about my father.” His eyes returned to me as he confessed. “After my mother died. Sometimes I’m grateful for the fire witch’s seduction. He was grieving so hard…” His face relaxed out of its usual cocky smile as he brought back the memory. “Her enchantments numbed him. Then, when he woke from them, the tragedy gave him purpose.” He smiled a little as he looked away. “The irony is her tragedy gave root to the idea–”

“Frey.” All of a sudden Chevelle was standing almost between us. I gaped up at him, the trance of Steed’s words broken.

“Huh?”

“Time to go.” He was angry. I didn’t know what I had done but I stood obediently. He pulled me away from Steed, who had replaced his miserable expression to smile gingerly for me.

“I’ll take her,” Ruby offered.

“No. I’ll do it myself.” He was really angry.

“We’ll both go,” she pushed, forcing a polite tone. The rest of the group was quiet, watching us. Ruby eyed Steed as we turned and headed toward the house.

As soon as we were out of earshot, though I was still being dragged by the arm, I asked Chevelle, “Did something happen with the twins?”

Ruby laughed. We both stared at her. “Twins,” she scoffed.

“Right, well, you know what I mean.” I was embarrassed.

Chevelle softened a little, “No. Everything is fine.”

Ruby chimed in, “It is fine,” and I was knew it was intended for him. He relaxed his grip on my arm and slowed our pace as he directed an almost imperceptible nod at Ruby. I relaxed, too. It is fine.





He stayed in the front room that night, watching through the small windows. When I closed my eyes, I could see the glint of swords, making patterns as they crossed repeatedly. I could hear Ruby humming a sad tune from her room as I fell into a peaceful sleep.





Low voices woke me. Chevelle and Ruby were in the front room, they may have been arguing. I rubbed my tired arms as I rose and joined them.

“What’s up?” I could tell by their exchange they had been in conflict.

Ruby smiled at me. “Just planning… for the trip.”

“Trip?”

“Yes, you know, to the peak.” She was scheming.

“Oh.” I’d let them work it out. “I’m going to take a bath.” I headed for her room.

As I closed the door, I heard Ruby. “It’s time to tell her.” I didn’t hear a response. I was soaking in hot water, my eyes closed, not even considering getting out when Ruby knocked on the door.

“What, Ruby?”

She giggled. “How did you know it was me?” No one else is that annoying. “Can I come in?”

“No.”

The water streamed from the tub and out the back window. Ugh. “Fine, I’m getting dressed.” I dried off and put on clothes from a pile I had assumed was for me, too large for Ruby’s petite frame.

I opened the door and knew right away I would regret whatever they were about to tell me. Ruby commanded me to sit. Chevelle straightened and cleared his throat, “Frey, we need to talk with you about something.” Oh great. I waited. He proceeded carefully. “You know you are bound.”

“Yes,” I agreed, even though I wasn’t clear how I was partially bound. I could use some magic, I had lost some memories. No, that wasn’t true, was it? I couldn’t really remember anything from before the village. Anything but the dreams.

“And I’m sure you want to be unbound?” Why was that a question?

“Of course.”

He nodded as if he were going down a checklist. “We know council has bound you.” I waited for the next bullet point. “And we know they must be the one or ones to unbind you.” I was starting to realize the seriousness of this conversation. “They are, obviously… unwilling.” I took a deep breath. “I know some… about the binding. I’ve… studied it.”