The Tears of Elios by Crista McHugh

Author:Crista McHugh [McHugh, Crista]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Crista McHugh
Published: 2011-10-05T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 15

Kira’s teeth chattered, and she reached for her cloak, only to remember she didn’t have it anymore. Not that it mattered much—it was time to go. Galen was probably waiting for her. She licked her hand and ran it through her hair in a futile effort to make it lie flat before tying a red ribbon around her head. Maybe that would keep it in place.

She hurried through the camp to meet him at the same place she had before. Unlike last time, her hands no longer trembled as her feet carried her closer to the edge of the camp. Perhaps she was growing more comfortable around him. Yes, he still sometimes took her breath away when he looked at her, but she hid it better now.

“Good morning, Jaius,” she said as she passed him.

Her arrival startled both him and the horse whose reins he held. He rubbed its nose and whispered something to it in Elvish. The words sounded like a soothing song, and the animal immediately responded to them. “Good morning, Kira,” he replied, never taking his eyes off the horse.

Some of her old nervousness crept up her throat, making her voice shake. “Is this my horse?”

“No, that is my horse,” a voice said behind her. Kira made no effort to hide her relief from Galen as he approached her. “You'll be riding with me again.”

“But won't that slow you down?”

He threw his saddlebags over its back. The animal fidgeted under the new weight, and Kira retreated a few steps, much to his obvious amusement. “No. What will slow me down is you on another runaway horse. This is much easier.”

“If you say so.” Her cheeks burned at the memory of last time. She took a step closer and tried to think positive thoughts about the situation. At least this way, she could lean against him for body warmth.

“Put this on first.”

She accepted the folded cloth he handed to her and held it out so it could unfurl itself. It was a new cloak. The buttery wool was unbelievably light, even if it was several sizes too large for her. She wondered how warm it would be as she slipped it over her shoulders and fastened the three clasps. The chill receded from her bones the moment she put it on. “Galen, this is the nicest piece of clothing I've ever owned!”

She looked up just in time to see an odd exchange of glances between the two elves. It was as if Jaius wanted to say something, but Galen silenced him, leaving the dark-haired elf with nothing more than a knowing smile. She would have to ask Galen about that later and hoped he would give her an answer.

After tapping the cloak three times, it shrank to fit her slight frame with the last clasp at the level of her waist.

“I'm glad you like it. You’re going to need something warm on this journey.” Galen mounted the horse and extended his hand to her, lifting her up into the saddle in front of him.

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