Wyatt gave Addi and brief smile and nod as he watched her walk past them towards the beach. He then turned all of his focus to Nev. She was sitting silently, staring out at the night sky. Wyatt felt heartbroken as he walked towards her and sat down beside her. The carefree woman who danced with his fire moths seemed like a distant memory as he looked at her now.
Often with Nev, it seemed he was shown two sides of the same coin. She was fierce and fragile, silly and sullen, direct and distant. Through every mood, every step, and every moment he loved her. He would happily spend every minute of the rest of his life ensuring that she knew that. That she knew for him, she would always be worth it.
Nev’s hand rested on the ground between them. As he grasped for it, he felt her pull it away from his reach. It seems someone has forgotten how stubborn I can be, he thought, with a faint smile. He closed his eyes and stretched out with his mind, feeling her breath, her heartbeat… her energy. He took a deep breath and focused his mind. Pulling the light from the fire and stars, he formed it into the shape of a butterfly and nudged it to dance and float closer and closer to Nev’s face. He swirled the colors until they sparked into a vibrant purple. Springing to life, the butterfly of Wyatt’s creation flittered up and landed on Nev’s nose.
She initially ignored it, but it drew her notice when she saw its light flash before her. She was appreciative of what Wyatt was trying to do, but she hurt. She wasn’t ready to let herself stop hurting. Not yet.
With his head starting to ache, Wyatt ignored the discomfort and pushed himself to stretch his abilities farther. In an instant, the one purple butterfly multiplied into a half a dozen. At Wyatt’s urging, the butterflies flitted and played all around Nev.
Fighting the desire to smile, Nev found herself losing the battle quickly. He is awfully sweet and persistent, she thought. Relenting, she smiled and soon allowed herself the decision to lay down her guilt and pain for one evening. Stretching her right arm out, she gently swirled it through the wave of dancing light. After a few moments, she lay on her back and watched Wyatt’s wonderous creations float and flit above her. She stared at them as they started popping out of existence one by one. With the sky now reserved for the real flying insects, she sensed Wyatt lay down on the ground beside her. She searched for his hand with hers and squeezed it gently when she found it. “I love you,” she whispered.
Wyatt grinned. “Of course, you do. I am irresistible,” he laughed softly.
Nev leaned over him and smiled. As she spied a loose curl and moved to twirl it gently between her fingers, she asked, “Do you still think I am worth it?” Awaiting his answer, she gazed deeply into his amber eyes.
“Always,” replied Wyatt with uncharacteristic sincerity. “I love you,” he vowed, before smiling at Nev.
Nev leaned down and kissed him tenderly. She loved him, and that was all she needed to know. For this moment, it could be that simple. Something was different within her now. There was a certainty and an intensity between them she hadn’t felt before. She finally, truly trusted him. Plenty of pain, guilt, doubt, and unknowns still plagued them both, but none of that existed between the two of them now. Without saying another word, Nev moved to hover over him. She stared into his enthralling eyes for just a moment before kissing him with unbridled desire.
Wyatt’s headache seemed to fade instantly as she kissed him. He felt the connection they shared strengthen into an unbreakable bond. Whatever they faced on their journey, they would face it together. Eagerly, Wyatt met her passion and yearning with his own. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, feeling her body pressing against his as he moved to meet it. Feeling how she wanted to be touched, he met each of her demands fervently. Her whimpers made him moan in delight as their bodies each reached their crescendo together.
Nev and Wyatt lay together, sharing light kisses, cuddles, and sweet whispers for a long while before Nev finally fell asleep. Wyatt had watched her sleeping for close to an hour when he eventually heard Addi come back into camp. “Love you, sister. Goodnight,” he whispered.
“Guess you two are good,” she stated, glancing at Wyatt and Nev briefly before laying by the fire.
“Yeah, we are. Thanks for being understanding,” Wyatt replied sincerely.
“That’s me, Miss Understanding. Anyway, I figure you owe me now. So, let me know if you need me to ‘understand’ again. I will keep a tally of the favors you owe me,” she noted, laughing quietly.
Wyatt chuckled softly and replied, “I see how it is. Well, it is a small price to pay for love.”
“You say that now. Just wait till I call in all my favors. Goodnight, brother,” Addi responded before curling up and watching the fire.
Chapter 29
Nev woke early the next morning to the feeling of light rain falling on her face. She ignored it completely as she snuggled in close to Wyatt and sighed with contentment. Feeling him shifting slightly as he slowly woke up, Nev nuzzled him and softly kissed his neck.
“You do realize if you keep this up, I’m either going to have to change my mind about you and mornings or owe my sister a big favor, right? Or both,” Wyatt cautioned while grinning and gazing at her.
“A favor for what?” Nev asked, still kissing his neck.
Wyatt moaned quietly and swallowed hard before replying, “For scarring her forever, perhaps?”
Nev giggled softly and let one of her hands wander his body over his clothes for a bit.
“You, my lady, are a horrible person,” he chided playfully, pretending to look terribly offended.
“I see. Well, perhaps I should stop then,” Nev said coyly as she stopped kissing him and moved her hand back to her side.
“See, now you are horrible and mean,” he grinned, kissing her lips and gently biting them.
“Awake. That’s what I am. Just thought I would announce it, you know, for no reason,” Addi interjected, making sure she was loud enough to be heard.
Wyatt laughed. “Well, in that case,” he teased as he swiftly but gently pinned Nev under him.
“So, would you prefer I murder you both now or after breakfast?” Addi inquired, glancing over at Wyatt and Nev.
Nev stared up at Wyatt and mouthed the words, “You are terrible.”
Wyatt laughed. “I know, and you love me for it,” he replied before moving and allowing Nev to sit up.
Addi mumbled to herself and shook her head. As Nev and Wyatt joined her around the cold firepit, she handed them each some jerky and bread. “Nellis’ house is not a bad hike from here. Hopefully, no more than two or three days,” she explained, pointing off in the direction they needed to go.
“Sounds good,” Nev replied.
“I want to take a look at your shoulder before we head out,” Wyatt stated, glancing at Nev.
Nev nodded and agreed, “It is feeling a bit better, but you can check on it.”
“Really? Not even going to fight me on it?” Wyatt asked, sounding pleasantly surprised.
“Nope. You want to play healer so badly, go ahead,” Nev teased, winking at him.
Wyatt shook his head and mouthed the words, “You really are mean.”
Chapter 30
Without incident, the trio had spent the day venturing deeper into the woods. The morning’s rain had remained light for most of the day, but the skies were beginning to grow dark and menacing by late afternoon. Wyatt had noticed Nev lagging farther and farther behind as they walked. He’d also sensed her shoulder’s pain beginning to really bother her again. You just had to prove how stubborn you are and row that damn dinghy, didn’t you? Wyatt thought to himself.
Wyatt quickened his pace and caught up to Addi, who had been taking point. “So, I think we should make camp soon,” he suggested as he peeked back at Nev.
“It is going to storm tonight, Wyatt. We really need to keep moving until we find someplace that will shelter us from it,” Addi replied, glancing up at the darkening and foreboding sky.
“Yeah. Agreed. Just if you
see a place. Sooner would be better than later,” Wyatt urged.
Addi slowed her pace and studied her brother. “Why? Are you okay? Is it another headache?” she prodded with concern.
“No. I am fine, big sister. It is actually Nev. I think she needs to take a break,” Wyatt responded, his voice hushed.
“Did she say something?” Addi asked.
Wyatt shook his head and replied, “No. And she likely won’t. Look, you saw her with the dinghy. She is almost as stubborn as me, and she is determined to keep moving forward. But I can tell she needs to rest.”
“Fine. I will try to find the princess a place to spend the night. And here I thought she was just a slow walker,” Addi answered, feeling a little annoyed to be beholden to Nev.
“Thanks, sis,” Wyatt responded. With Addi convinced to find shelter soon, he slowed his pace and rejoined Nev. “Hi, love. Addi thinks we should make camp soon. You know, because of the storm that is coming,” he informed Nev.
“Alright,” Nev replied with a sigh. Her shoulder was throbbing, and fighting Addi on her decision was not something she was interested in doing.
Addi, meanwhile, wasn’t sure how she felt about her brother’s level of devotion to Nev. Wanting to spend time with a girl, she understood. She was even willing to believe him when he said he was in love. After all, what did Wyatt know of actually being in love? However, his intense dedication to Nev made her nervous. She worried her brother would blindly follow Nev anywhere. That idea terrified her. Addi had a growing fear Nev would lead her brother into situations even more dangerous than facing the prowler from their past.
After walking for another hour or so, Addi came upon a narrow-overgrown path. It appeared to lead from a pond in the distance and then wind into the woods. Shelter maybe? Worth a look, she thought. Addi led the group down the path until a small cabin came into view. It was apparent that whoever lived there had been gone for several months. It was also immediately evident that they had left in a hurry and not willingly.
There was laundry still clipped to a clothesline, while other pieces of clothing were haphazardly spread across the front yard. The basket had been deposited by the wind a few feet from the line. With a sense of apprehension, Addi slowly walked up to the cabin’s entrance. “You two stay here. I will check it out,” Addi directed.
Seeing the cabin, brought back some of Nev’s guilt and pain, the very feelings she had successfully pushed away back at their beach camp. It left her feeling heavy and tired. As Wyatt squeezed her hand, she leaned her head on his shoulder, firm in her decision to keep her emotions from overwhelming her. Nev watched as Addi entered the cabin and disappear within.
“Hey. You going to be okay if we stay here tonight?” Wyatt asked gently.
“Sure. At least we won’t get rained on,” Nev replied, glancing at the dark clouds forming above.
Wyatt moved to face her. He had felt her anguish spike as they approached the cabin. Even if it had waned some, Wyatt still found himself worrying about her. Often, he wondered if the wounds Nev carried from her past would ever fully heal or at least stop being so severe. Wyatt also worried if her growing abilities would make things easier or harder for her. He certainly hoped it would be the former.
“Look, I don’t know how much of your father’s skills you inherited. Or what it’s like for you. For me, some places are saturated with unpleasantness. Being a Tinkerer can be marvelous, but it can also be very hard and lonely. Trust me. I know,” Wyatt noted. He placed a hand gently on her cheek before he traced the outline of her face with his thumb. “Now, I’m not an expert on all things Tink related, but I’ll help in any way that I can. Anyway, just remember that I’m here for you. So, if you would rather, we can find somewhere else. Or even sleep in the rain, if you prefer. I would understand if you would want to,” Wyatt offered, feeling concerned.
“Thank you, really. I’m not sure how much I take after my father, either… not yet anyway. Still, we should stay here. Just… would you…” Nev started to ask before pausing. She was feeling uncomfortable and ashamed of her own vulnerability and neediness. Fear and resolve had constantly battled within her during her life. Recently, however, Wyatt had helped stem the tide and strengthen her will. Sometimes, though, she felt her strength ebbing and desperately wished to cling to him.
“Would I what?” he questioned tenderly.
“Would you hold me tonight?” she asked, her voice hesitant. “I know how it sounds. And you don’t have to. I’ll be alright if you would rather not for some reason.”
Wyatt gave her a sad smile. “Sweetheart, of course. Always. You never have to worry about my answer to that question. Or feel you need to justify asking it of me,” he replied, kissing her forehead and pulling her close. He felt her rest her head under his chin as he snuggled her close.
Addi returned from inside the cabin and studied her brother and Nev. Their embrace seemed tender, but there was a sense of seriousness to it that made her uncomfortable. She began to feel like Nev was far more damaged than even her brother would be able to mend.
As fat raindrops started to fall and the first roll of thunder echoed around them, Addi motioned for them to come inside. “The cabin is clear. Whoever lived here has been gone for a while, although it looks like they left in a hurry and not willingly,” Addi explained as she headed back inside.
Wyatt led Nev towards the cabin door. It was obvious from the door’s condition that it had been forcefully kicked in. It now hung awkwardly from one of its hinges, swinging as the storm’s winds caught it. He could see his sister was already lighting a lantern and picking up some of the cabin’s strewn contents.
There was a jar filled with unintentionally dried flowers sitting on the table next to Addi’s lantern. A cup, whose contents had long left it, still sat on a counter. Wyatt got a deep sense that something unpleasant had transpired here. “This cabin. Something bad happened here,” Wyatt sighed as he and Nev entered the two-room home.
Nev could sense more than just the hints of distress that lingered. She felt her breath leave her and feet stumble as a realization hit her. He had been here. Sagrine had taken someone from here. The thought filled her with terror as she felt it slither into her consciousness. She squeezed her eyes tightly closed and strained her mind to shove it to the shadows of her memory. He can’t know. He already worries far too much, she thought as she endeavored to keep Wyatt from sensing what she knew to be true.
Wyatt wrapped an arm around Nev as he felt her balance falter. He led her into the cabin’s only bedroom and sat her down on the nearby bed. Kneeling before her, he stared at her anxiously. “Are you alright? What just happened?” he inquired deeply concerned.
Nev managed to nod and force a tiny smile. “I am fine. Just a little lightheaded. Maybe I should have eaten more breakfast,” she replied, hoping to allay his unease.
Wyatt studied her closely. He was trying to determine if that was honestly the cause. “Alright, if you are sure… then I guess I will get on dinner duty,” he said, staring at her a moment longer. He was not fully convinced she’d told him everything, but he was eager to have her really eat something… anything.
“Thanks,” Nev replied softly.
Addi had watched the exchange and decided this was her opportunity to ask Nev some questions. “I will help change your bandages while my brother attempts to cook,” she offered quickly.
“I can get to that in a minute, sister,” Wyatt suggested.
“Hush. Would you please feed the girl? Maybe some food is still edible in the cupboards. You should check. Oh, and get a fire going and secure the front door,” Addi directed.
“Well, of course. Is there anything else I should do, dear sister?” Wyatt asked, feigning an over willingness to comply with her orders.
“Probably. I will let you know when I think of it. Now, stop complaining and get to work,” Addi said, laughing at his annoyance.
“Great. I can’t wait,” Wyatt replied. He rolled his eyes at her an
d then secured the door with a frayed piece of rope he found on the ground. Once that was tended to, he started searching the cupboards at the far end of the cabin.
Addi approached Nev and started to pull healing supplies from her pack.
Suddenly, Nev felt uncomfortable with Addi’s attention entirely focused on her. “It’s feeling alright. You don’t have to do this,” she suggested, hoping to dissuade Addi from feeling the need to tend to her wound.
Raising her eyebrow at her, Addi replied quietly, “Really? My brother seemed very convinced it was paining you greatly. So, either he is wrong, lying, or… you are. So, you are going to let me wrap your shoulder and chat with me a bit.”
Nev looked at Addi and tried to find a response. She could sense Addi wanting to press her. The discomfort from her memories, shoulder, and the cabin were suddenly eclipsed by her feelings of unease with being questioned by Wyatt’s sister.
Seeing Nev growing even tenser, Addi sighed. “Look, relax. I’m not going to yell at you. Wyatt might never forgive me if I ‘encouraged’ you to leave again. That being said, I am worried about my brother. So, I’m hoping you can do something to help with that,” she explained, trying to sound reasonable.
“Alright. That is fair,” Nev replied sincerely.
“Good,” Addi stated.
Nev sat quietly and watched as Addi gingerly removed the lightly, blood-stained bandages from her shoulder. As Addi worked, Nev caught a glimpse of the “mark” she carried. “Is that it?” Nev whispered, her voice shaky.
Addi stopped what she was doing and looked up at Nev. “Yes. Have you never seen one?” she asked quietly.
“No. I am not usually this close to other people,” Nev admitted.
Nodding and pushing up her sleeve, Addi extended her arm and held her wrist close to Nev. “Go ahead. You should be allowed to see a piece of what you’ve had to run from,” she offered quietly.
The Obsidian Throne Page 15