The Crystal Mines

31 Ameer

A door slammed nearby, and I knew it was Rion having a fit. I wondered briefly, what had gotten to him. There was no telling with him. Eliza saw something in him, and I wanted to see what she saw. The only thing that kept my from kicking him off the ship was her loyalty to him, and the tenderness he showed his brothers. He tired to hide it, but I saw.

Bringing my attention back to the man on the bed next to me, I waited for Dath's sedative to wear off. Kay had placed me in here, knowing it would be soon. Taury had given him his last drought before leaving for Ashburn, but Kay wasn't sure when that was as she was tending to Alden. I was happy to volunteer, knowing that no one else would. But I remembered as he was before Erix bound him. We discovered the tattoo on his arm, a unique bargain struck between two Fae. He must have been desperate to have made such a pact. I could only imagine what he exchanged.

Dath had been quiet, but strong. Even after loosing his grandmother, Mysie, he remained diligent in his studies and by his friends' sides. He would spar and arm wrestle with me. We became close. One time, I caught Nik watching us, happy that her past and current friends got on so well. Then she began to spend more time with Alden.

He began to change as he watched Nik enjoy Alden's company. While he watched her, I watched them both. She has been oblivious to his feelings towards her. When he finally revealed them, it had been in an argument with Alden. Both males pushed her away that night. I'll never forget her face when she ran down the market street, tears running down her cheeks. Alden had been crass about his time with her, and she had overheard. I had been searching for her, the magic of The Bestowing drawing me to her. But it couldn't be then. Not after she had ben hurt over two males fighting over her like she was some prized meat.

A grunt on the bed had me standing. Dath was coming along, his body already fighting the restraints. I hated seeing my friend like this. His eyes shot open and rounded on me. They were blood shot and lost. I placed a hand on his arm and his finger twitched.

"Let me go," he snapped hoarsely. His bulky frame, bucked off the bed, fighting to leave.

"I'm sorry, Dath, I can't do that." My voice broke at his state, and I didn't care.

His eyes darted around the room, searching for something. When he didn't find what he was looking for, his body sank into the bed.

"Where is he?"

"Erix? Not here. We are many days out of his reach."

"Not here," he repeated at a whisper. It was as if he was asking a question but only found an answer.

"I can't let you go. You are still ordered to go after Alden. And though you may not want to right now, when you see him, the bargain on your arm will reignite and you won't have a choice."

I sat down again, and his head turned towards me. His relaxed hands told me he wasn't going to try anything just yet. My Fae hearing picked up on footsteps outside the door. Searching with my mind, I found Eliza waiting there, listening through the cracks.

Let Kay know he is awake but don't come in yet. He is speaking to me and seems rather sane, for now.

Ok. And her footsteps retreated.

I had a question inside that had been eating away at me, quickly, the way magots could work through a carcass.

"What did you bargain for?"

Dath turned his head to the ceiling and let loose a breath he seemed to be holding. For the first time since he had begun changing, I saw true regret.

"Erix promised he would help Nik. She was going to harm herself." He faced me again, strong and sure. "She's too strong. That kind of strength, it isn't natural. I couldn't let it get too far, let her loose herself to the power."

He had it all wrong though. Her strength was intangible to the rest of us. Always surprising me with how much she could handle and come out on the other side waivered. My head shook at my thoughts.

"Nik's power is hers alone. It wasn't up to you to try to control that part of her."

Dath nodded. "I know. But I'd do it again. Even if she still hated me for it."

Something about that statement made me understand his motivation a little more. He was willing to sacrifice himself to ensure she was safe, even from himself.

"You really loved her, didn't you?"

He closed his eyes. "Not enough."

I wasn't surprised by Nik's aunt crying on the other side of the door. She had heard every word.