Shield & Sorrow by J.E. Ridge

Author:J.E. Ridge [Ridge, J.E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-08-03T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty

Snap out of it, Silas scolded himself as he trudged upstairs after dinner. Archer said he would deliver you to a healer, and he kept his word. What more did you expect?

He stood in the center of the room, uncertain of what he should do. The night was young, and despite being tired, he wasn’t ready for sleep. Restless and unsettled, he wandered about the room, examining it. It was small, but comfortable. Against one wall was a desk, prepared with parchment and a black stick. He picked up the stick and rubbed it between his fingers. The black smear on his fingertips reminded him of Archer’s letter. Even his letter was short and to the point. I can’t imagine trying to keep up a correspondence with him. Silas shook the thought away and set down the charcoal.

Books were lined up on the desk, old, with yellowed pages and cracked bindings. He scanned the titles, expecting books on magic or medicine, but realized that they were novels. Unfamiliar to him, they might provide some entertainment during his stay. And how long will that be? Adelaide mentioned the shields, but we haven’t talked about anything else. Is my illness related to magic, or is it inherited from my mother? I don’t even know if she can heal me. Mental shields may protect me against outside threats, but my own body is betraying me. I could still die, and I haven’t even—

The door opened. Silas looked up, expecting Penn coming in for the night, but froze when he saw Archer in the doorway. Licking his lips nervously, Silas asked, “Yes?”

Archer stepped into the room and gently closed the door, but he didn’t look at Silas—instead looking at some point over Silas’ shoulder. “Change of plans.”

Silas swallowed. He’s come to tell me that they’re leaving early. “Oh?”

Archer nodded and moved to the bed, sitting down to unlace his boots.

Silas blinked in confusion until he realized what Archer meant. “Oh! You’re, uh, sleeping in here tonight?”

Archer paused, one boot in his hand. “Is that all right?”

Heart pounding, Silas nodded and shrugged at the same time, his whole self off-kilter. “Yes, of course.” He didn’t move from the center of the room and fidgeted nervously as Archer continued undressing.

Archer placed the boots carefully at the end of the bed, then removed his socks, taking his time.

How much else is he going to take off? Silas unconsciously strained forward in anticipation. When Archer pulled his shirt over his head, Silas’ breath hitched. Don’t be stupid. Move. Do something. This is just like the other times you’ve slept with him. Stop staring at him like an idiot. Jolting himself from his frozen state, Silas quickly shucked his own clothes, though he left his trousers on. Archer did too, and Silas didn’t know whether to be relieved or disappointed.

Archer blew out the candles, casting the room in shadow.

Before Silas’ eyes could adjust, he tripped on something as he walked toward the bed. Archer caught him, and Silas stuttered out an apology.

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