The Priest by Rowan McAllister

Author:Rowan McAllister [McAllister, Rowan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: gay romance
ISBN: 978-1-64405-533-5
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2019-05-19T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

THEY ATE their meal in silence. Tas was starving and practically inhaled his rabbit, even going so far as to crack open the bones and suck out the marrow. Girik stared pensively into the fire, mostly. Tas had the choice of either doing the same, staring at Girik while he ate, or meeting the very focused and unsettling gaze of Girik’s dog as it eyed both of them avidly and drooled. In the end, Tas chose the fire. Watching Girik was the more pleasant choice, but it made his mind and heart travel down paths he couldn’t follow.

When the last bit of marrow and grease were gone, Tas sighed and climbed to his feet. Their little interlude was over. The Hunt had to begin again.

“It’s time. I must go.”

Girik stood without a word and reached for the bow and quiver propped in a corner of the shelter.

“You don’t have to come with me, you know,” Tas said. “You’ve certainly done more than your fair share.”

Girik gave him an exasperated look. “Don’t be stupid. I’m not just going to scamper on home and let you go off and try to throw your life away again. That’s not going to happen.”

Selfishly pleased that he wouldn’t have to do this alone, Tas decided not to waste time arguing and strode purposefully out into the late-morning sunshine. He would do everything in his power to make sure Girik came to no harm. That was the best he could promise himself.

The fog had lifted, leaving nothing but golden light filtering through the trees. He hoped that was a good omen.

Shoulders back and head held high, Tas marched toward battle, but only made it a few steps before he realized Girik had gone in the opposite direction. Tas frowned until he spotted Girik heading for the creek. Rolling his eyes at himself, Tas followed. He’d been about to run off into the woods without a thought for such practicalities.

While Girik filled the water skin from his belt, Tas knelt by the creek and drank. Who knew when he’d get another chance, and he had no guarantee the Spawn would stay put and wait for him to get there. Splashing some water on his face, he ordered himself to focus.

Quanna, Moc, and Chytel, protect us and guide us. I cannot sing the morning hymns to you without alerting the Spawn to our presence, so I will only pray you know my intent and my gratitude for all your blessings without it. Be with us today. Let Girik come to no harm. Even if he does not say the words or sing the hymns, his faith is in his deeds. He deserves better than what the Brotherhood has given him.

Tas stood and took a deep, cleansing breath. He wasn’t as exhausted as he’d thought he might be after yesterday’s failed attempt, but he wouldn’t be running any races. A quick glance sideways in the bright sunlight told him Girik wasn’t exactly at his most hail and healthy either.

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