The Lost Sentinel by Suzanne Rogerson

Author:Suzanne Rogerson [Rogerson, Suzanne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Suzanne Rogerson
Published: 2017-06-15T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

They stood outside the tunnel entrance and stared down at the valley. Rike squeezed Mara’s shoulder and she managed a small smile, her red-rimmed eyes looking glazed in the sunshine.

‘I hope Tei’s all right,’ Mara said, searching the landscape for sign of her friend.

‘I think she needs some time and space to come to terms with what happened.’

‘I still can’t believe he’s dead.’

‘Undren was a huge presence in all our lives.’ Rike stopped, remembering the house and the bodies. So many dead...

‘Are you sure you don’t want to go to the remembrance gathering?’ Mara asked.

‘I’d prefer to remember him in my own way. Come on, I’ll walk you home.’

She took his arm and they descended into the eerily quiet valley below. The whole world seemed muted, as though the island itself mourned Undren’s death along with the people.

‘Tei hasn’t talked to me since she returned,’ Mara said.

‘I thought you two were close.’

‘So did I.’

‘I’m sure Tei will open up when she’s ready. Just be there for her.’

Rike remembered Tei the day he rescued her; the blood may have washed away and the bruises were healing, but inside no one could see the damage the mystic had inflicted. He didn’t want to tell Mara everything; like Garrick, she was too emotional. They were both better off not knowing. It was Tei’s decision to share the details, but she’d opted for silence and he respected her wishes.

‘I wonder where they went,’ he said, making an effort to change the course of his thoughts.

‘I hope Garrick found her; she shouldn’t be alone, not today.’

Rike squeezed his arm around her shoulders again and she rested her head against him. ‘I feel so bad for Tei. She insisted she didn’t want a protector and look what happened when the Elders forced her into it.’

Rike sighed, remembering his own words of encouragement on the matter.

‘It’s times like this, you appreciate your friends,’ she said, looking up at him.

‘I’m always here for you.’ He noticed her eyes were no longer puffy; they sparkled. Something fluttered inside Rike as he searched her face, reading every delicate detail and tracing the curve of her lips with his gaze.

They were at Mara’s door before he realised. She unlocked it and went inside while he stood on the threshold.

She dumped her cloak on a chair and turned back to him. ‘Aren’t you coming in?’

‘I don’t think I should.’

She stood in front of him and looked up into his face. ‘Why not?’

Rike couldn’t find his voice; instead, he bent and kissed her. ‘That’s why.’

He waited for the sting of a slap. Instead, she stretched up and kissed him back.

‘Stay.’ She took him by the hand and drew him into the room. This time he gave no argument.

***

They lay in bed looking at each other.

‘Were the last few years spent in a blind haze?’ Mara asked her voice hoarse.

‘I seem to have that effect.’

She kissed him and he responded, savouring the feel of her body against his. His travel-calloused hands stroked her soft, milky skin.

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