Lily of the Desert (Silver and Orchids Book 4) by Shari L. Tapscott

Author:Shari L. Tapscott [Tapscott, Shari L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-11-15T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

City of Lanterns

“Maybe they weren’t stolen,” Avery says wryly. “Perhaps they went for a morning walk.”

I glare at my husband, not in the mood for his particular brand of humor at the moment.

The mules, Avery’s horse, and both the donkeys are missing. If it’s not one thing, it’s ten others. My easy expedition is getting more difficult by the day.

Flink’s gone as well, but since he’s gotten into the habit of wandering, I’m not too concerned about him. At least not yet.

Gorin sits on a tree stump, his head in his hands. He hasn’t spoken all morning.

Esme stands with Yancey, looking like she wants to lighten the situation but has no idea how. “This is a popular stop for the caravans,” she finally says. “Someone will be by soon, and we can travel with them.”

“How soon is soon?” Yancey asks.

She wrinkles her nose. “A week, maybe two?”

Adeline is handling the news surprisingly well, but she looks nervous. “How much food do we have left?”

“Enough for half a week,” Sebastian answers. “A few days more if we’re careful.”

I hold up my hand. “I volunteer to give up my share.”

Avery flashes me a stern look. I smile like I’m joking, but the truth is, I’m starting to get anxious. I’ve felt off for days, and even after a full night’s rest, I’m still exhausted. This morning I was ill as soon as I woke up. Luckily, I managed to sneak out of the tent without waking Avery. I don’t want him to worry, but I’m afraid I might have contracted something.

Though I hate to, once we’re in Malka, I’m going to have to find a healer. If we ever make it, that is.

Flink returns early in the afternoon and finds a spot to nap in the shade.

The rest of us are restless.

Yancey spent the morning organizing what’s left of his supplies, and Adeline’s been working on a handkerchief all day. Avery and I hike up the creek so we can have a few moments to ourselves. Flink wanders with us for a while, and then he gets bored and goes off to do whatever it is dragons do in the desert. He’s probably hunting snakes and lizards. There’s no denying he’s taken a liking to them.

We find a small waterfall and rest in the spray. I’m sullen, melancholy. If we’d gotten on Avery’s ship fifteen minutes sooner, Gorin would have never found me, and we wouldn’t be stuck in the middle of the desert, hoping for a passing caravan to rescue us.

“I’m about done with Elrija.” I watch a giant dragonfly settle on a tall reed growing by the creek.

Avery catches my arm and pulls me over to him. I settle on his lap and put my arms around his neck. We haven’t had enough of this time, just us. We’ve been married for a month, and the only time we’re alone is at night.

“I miss you,” I say quietly, rubbing his neck.

He angles back, groaning softly as I work the tense muscles.

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