A Sacrifice of Names

Chapter 14

My skin started to tingle where his fingers touched my lower back with such tenderness I had not felt in a long, long time.

I no longer cared where I was, what I was. I could feel my entire body responding to the simple contact of skin against skin.

"I thought you were sleeping."

Part of me wanted to silence to voice, but instead my brows furrowed closer together, my eyes remaining shut.

"I am."

The voice laughed a warm laugh. Maybe he was enjoying this just as much as I did. Two fingers trailed down my spine in response, drawing a soft gasp from my lips. I wanted more, twisting my body a little. It had been too long ago, even for my own liking, since someone had touched me like this.

"Why aren't you more careful?"

I groaned, tilting my head just a little as he almost breathed the words into my ear. I didn't like how concerned they sounded.

"I am careful."

"Be more careful. You aren't supposed to be here."

My body stilled and so did his touch. I tried to understand his words, but I couldn't. I didn't have the strength to process them. All I understood was that his hand threatened to move away from my skin. I didn't want him to leave.

"Hm- don't stop now," I whispered.

I could feel him nuzzle his nose against the back of my neck. I smiled.

"Be careful..."

✒

Innogen did not look happy and Earie found herself to blame. Upon arrival she had been quite vocal about the fact that she felt considerably as miserable as the brunette for having to get up at such an unreasonable hour. With a yawn forcing her lips apart Innogen dropped the bag onto the ground next to her, filled with pieces of clothing that she had not worn in years. Expensive looking articles of clothing, Earie noted, but ones the blonde felt no attachment to. Unwelcome gifts from her parents, used in an attempt to make up for their betrayal.

She had selfishly accepted them, but their apologies had fallen on deaf ears. She wasn't ready to forgive them for their silence, yet.

"Even a changeling would need a stack of clothes to bring along. Don't give them a reason to suspect you haven't settled in yet."

Keely wrapped her arms around Innogen's shoulders, sleepily pressing her lips against her cheek. A wordless effort to thank her, which was accepted in earnest. Even Earie nodded her head in silent gratitude. It was more than she could have asked for, bearing the knowledge those clothes would be left behind somewhere.

The sound of horses' hooves approaching forced them to silence and Keely nodded her head.

"It's them."

Six carriages pulled by a dozen, stunning black horses. Earie narrowed her eyes, trying to get a better glimpse of them. Many of the other fae had already made themselves comfortable inside those carriages, some with a dull look on their faces. Although whether it was out of sorrow or just the fact that it was far too early to be up she couldn't quite tell.

"Ready, lass?"

Her whole body tensed in an instant. She hadn't seen, nor heard him approach, but Brenhin stood behind her looking an awful lot more rested than she did. Keely and Innogen were nowhere to be seen, which could only mean the glamour was working. They would follow them closely, unseen, only revealing themselves when it would be time to leave the group and head for the border to the mortal world instead.