by Rin Grey
Gemma shepherded Mitch out the door, despite his whine of, “Why can’t you get the washing by yourself?”
Then it was just the two of them in the room.
Digger shrugged uncomfortably. “I was offered a job, taking a package from here to Niacin. I figure there’s more for me there than there is here.” His voice was low and dull. But at least he was talking to her.
Even so, Elizabeth could hear the finality in his reply. He was leaving. He’d accepted that it was over, and she needed to as well. There wasn’t anything she could do to stop it. She shouldn’t even be trying. She was the one who was pregnant and leaving in a few days.
She was just going to miss him, that’s all. “That sounds like fun,” she said a little wistfully. “We did have fun, didn’t we, Digger?”
“Don’t, Liz,” he responded, and his voice choked.
Elizabeth stood up. “I’m sorry, Digger. I’ll go. There’s nothing keeping me here either, and it will be easier if I just accept that and leave.”
Digger sighed. “No need to leave on my account. Gemma and Mitch need time to say goodbye to you. They’re what’s keeping you here, not me.”
Elizabeth winced. If it were just Gemma and Mitch, she would be gone by now. They’d miss her, it was true, but she hadn’t betrayed them. She’d done everything she said she would when she’d arrived. Mitch was in complete control of his magic now, and she’d gone with him to see Jocelyn and take the position as heir two days ago. She knew they’d both be fine without her, and if all went well, she’d be back to see them again.
Digger was the one who would be gone for good. He was the one who she wished she could fix things with. To at least have their goodbye be on good terms.
But that was impossible. She knew that. “I’m sorry, Digger,” she repeated helplessly.
“Don’t worry, Liz. I’ll be out of here soon, and you can forget all about me and head off to your perfect life in the Dome.”
She wanted to tell him that she didn’t want to forget about him, but she didn’t have the right. So instead she said, “Yeah, ‘cause it’s so bloody perfect that I’m rushing to get there.”
Digger raised an eyebrow. “What, having second thoughts before you’ve even left?”
“I never suggested it would be perfect,” Elizabeth said softly.
“What’s up? Not so keen on waiting on the attentions of a married man?” Digger said bitterly.
Elizabeth winced. “I suppose I deserved that.” In reality, she deserved a lot more. She had no right to hope Digger could forgive her, but that didn’t stop her trying. “I know things didn’t work out the way you wanted, Digger, but do we have to hate each other because of it?”
For a moment she saw indecision on Digger’s face, and then he sighed. “I don’t hate you, Liz. It would be easier if I did, but I can’t.” He came over and sat down next to her at the table. Some of the distance was gone from his face, if not the gloom.
Elizabeth was surprised at the intensity of her relief. “I’m glad,” she said softly, resting her hand on his arm.
They were silent for a moment, then Digger asked roughly, “So what’s the problem?”
“Problem?”
“Yeah, with returning to the Dome. Is it him?”
Elizabeth sighed. She shouldn’t unburden herself to Digger, he was the last person who needed to hear all her issues. But maybe he also deserved to know. Maybe it would help to understand that she wasn’t returning to some fairytale. That she wasn’t completely sure about this choice she was making.
“I don’t know. I know I’ll never really know where I stand with him. But I guess I knew that going in. Out here, it didn’t matter so much. I had other things to do to keep me busy—Gemma, Mitch, being the heir…”
“Me?” Digger raised an eyebrow.
Elizabeth winced. Why was admitting the truth always so hard? “Yeah, and you,” she agreed. “When he wasn’t there, I didn’t feel so alone. Once I’m in the Dome, I won’t have anything.”
“Well, you’ll have a baby soon enough. I’m sure that will keep you busy.” Digger’s voice was neutral, distant.
He had no idea how much that scared her. Last time she’d cared for two little babies, she’d been terrified she’d hurt them both. Her heart fluttered in her chest at the thought.
Instead of admitting that truth, she tried to keep her voice light as she said, “Yeah, in eight months. What am I supposed to do until then?”
Digger shrugged. “What about that position as a teacher you were offered?”
She’d considered that too. “I suppose so. It should keep me busy at least.” She was silent for a moment, then admitted quietly, “Nothing is going to live up to our adventures out here. Besides that, everything else is just dull and boring.”
That wrung the first genuine smile she’d seen from him in this conversation. “I’m not sure whether to be flattered or depressed about that one.” He hesitated for a minute, then asked, “How about you come with me on this one last adventure?”
Elizabeth couldn’t help an involuntary smile. “I’d love to,” she said quickly, pushing away the doubts that immediately assailed her.
Digger’s answering smile made it worth it.
Gemma came back in then, and smiled to see them laughing. “Here are your socks, Josh. Are you sure you want to leave this morning? I’m sure they could wait an extra day for their package, if you want to catch up with Elizabeth some more.”
Digger smiled. “Yes. Liz is coming with me.” He squeezed Elizabeth’s hand. “I’ll go finish packing,” he said, and left the room.
He missed the worried frown his comment elicited from Gemma, but Elizabeth didn’t.
“I’m sorry, Gemma,” she said. “I know you and Mitch would have liked to spend more time with me, but I’m sure I’ll see you again often, even once I’m back in the Dome.”
But Gemma shook her head. “It’s not that, Mamma. It’s Josh I’m worried about. He’s been so cut up since he heard you were leaving, and this job seemed to pick him up a little. I’m afraid you going with him will just make it harder for him to move on.”
Elizabeth was silent. That hadn’t even occurred to her, she’d just been so relieved not to have things end on a sour note. “You’re right, I shouldn’t have accepted his offer.” She tried not to let her own disappointment show in her voice.
Gemma though, was far more perceptive than she was. She reached out and gave her a hug. “I’m sorry, Mamma. Perhaps I’m wrong. Either way, now that you’ve agreed, it would hurt him worse if you changed your mind.”
She was right. Again.
Elizabeth sighed. “I’ll try not to mess it up.” She hesitated. “I’m sorry I’m not staying longer with you and Mitch, it’s just…” She trailed off, not sure how to even begin explaining.
Gemma smiled though. “You just wanted to have one last adventure before you settle down. Perhaps it will be good for both of you. Go and have fun. You know where I am, I’m not going anywhere.”
Elizabeth smiled, relieved. “I do, and I’m sure I’ll be back often.”
Then Digger was back, his pack slung over his shoulder, his sword at his waist. “Are you ready to go, Liz?” he asked.
She nodded and gave Gemma one last hug. “I’ll see you soon,” she promised, then she headed upstairs to pack her own belongings.
Chapter 14 – Interruption
Nostalgia brought a smile to Elizabeth’s face as she saddled Rianna, and riding out of the town with Digger at her side just felt right.
As soon as the last building was behind them, she kneed her horse to a gallop and shouted over her shoulder to Digger, “Last one to the big pine is setting up camp!”
The wild ride soothed the last few weeks of feeling lost, and by the time they arrived at the pine, both were breathless and laughing.
Digger tried to cover up his loss with bravado. “I couldn’t beat you. I couldn’t let a pregnant woman set up camp while I sat around doing nothing.”
/> Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. “What, now I’m an invalid who can’t even help set up camp, am I? If that’s so, why did you invite me along?” Somehow, that question ended on a more seductive note than she’d intended.
It was a sign of how much things had changed between them when Digger blushed. “I didn’t mean it like that, I was just… Freck, I don’t know. Maybe I shouldn’t have invited you. Are you sure this isn’t going to hurt the baby? Especially with you galloping like that?”
For some reason, his concern about her baby, about Sean’s baby, felt wrong. She didn’t want to talk about the baby. For a short while, she wanted to forget about it. She’d have to deal with it soon, but right now, she didn’t want to.
But Digger was looking at her, his expression worried.
“The baby’s fine,” she said shortly. Gemma was right, this had been a bad idea. How had she ever expected things between them to be the same, when so much had changed?
Digger’s face closed up and he stared ahead, walking his horse slowly through the trees.
Elizabeth felt a sense of loss. She kept messing things up, over and over. She kneed Rianna to a trot and caught up with him. “I’m sorry, Digger. This is all new to me too. Can we just ignore the fact that I’m pregnant and be as we usually are?”
Digger hesitated, and Elizabeth held her breath. Eventually he smiled and nodded. “Sure, Liz.”
She let her breath out in a sigh of relief. Crisis averted.
At a more sedate pace now, they continued their ride over the plains. It was a long trip, and hurrying would only leave them tired.
Despite saying he was going to ignore the fact that she was pregnant, Digger suggested they stop and make camp much earlier than they would have usually. His excuse was that it was a good watering hole, and they wouldn’t find another as good for several hours.
Elizabeth pretended she was unaware of the concession, surprisingly glad to dismount. A glimmer of magic removed the ache from her joints but did little for the tiredness. She even let Digger set up camp, despite having resolved earlier to be sure to help him.
Once the tent was up, the horses watered, and dinner cooked, he brought her a bowl of rabbit stew and sat down opposite her. “Are you all right, Liz?” he asked, giving her a sideways look.
“Yeah, I’m fine, why?” she asked.
“Well, I didn’t actually expect you to let me set up camp on my own,” Digger pointed out, grinning.
Elizabeth smiled at him. “Right. I wasn’t intending to either, but I’m kind of tired.”
Digger looked down at his stew. “Early night then. You can have the tent, I’ll be fine out here.”
The distance was back, and it tugged at Elizabeth’s heart. She hesitated for a moment, feeling the strangeness of the situation herself, but she couldn’t help herself.
She raised an eyebrow. “Has something happened that we’re being proper and not sharing a tent?”
“Um, yeah. You’re pregnant with another man’s child and all that. Remember?”
“Yeah, and he’s married. I don’t think he’ll be pointing any fingers,” Elizabeth said dryly.
This time Digger met her eyes, searched her face even. “What exactly are you suggesting?”
“I’m saying, come to bed with me,” Elizabeth said softly.
A hopeful look flashed across Digger’s face, only to be replaced with uncertainty. “Are you sure, Liz? I don’t want to cause any trouble, or…” he trailed off.
“I’m sure,” Elizabeth said with certainty.
Digger looked at her once more, then nodded. They finished eating and he banked the fire, then followed her into the tent.
*****
Digger woke first the next morning, and for a moment he just lay there, enjoying the feeling of Elizabeth lying in his arms.
He’d been ready to leave it all behind, to do the honourable thing and keep his distance, as much to save his own heart as because he cared about what her prince thought.
He hadn’t in his wildest dreams expected her to come with him, and even when she’d agreed to come, he hadn’t expected anything more than friendship. He had no idea where this was going, or what it meant for the future, but he wasn’t about to argue.
He didn’t wake her. She’d been tired when they’d come to bed last night, and it had certainly been a few hours before either of them had slept. He was in no real hurry. In fact, he could see several reasons to draw out this journey for as long as possible.
Eventually she stirred, stretched, then grinned up at him. “Good morning.”
“Good morning yourself,” he returned. “Or should I say good afternoon…”
Elizabeth sat up in shock. “It’s not that late, is it?”
Digger laughed. “No, that might have been a slight exaggeration,” he agreed.
The sun was a third of the way above the horizon when they emerged from the tent. They had lost an hour or two’s travel, but nothing major.
Digger set to work packing up the tent while Elizabeth cooked breakfast, then they were on their way.
He kept a close eye on Elizabeth as they travelled, and when he saw signs of her flagging, he looked for a likely place to break for lunch.
As they sat on a log eating some bread and cheese, Elizabeth said quietly, “I’m slowing you down, aren’t I?”
Digger grinned. “Nah, I’m just deliberately going slow because I don’t want this trip to end.”
“Why not?” Elizabeth asked, obviously confused.
“Because I’m guessing you’re not going to stick around after we get there, are you?”
“Oh.” Elizabeth was silent, and she was just about to add something when abruptly she jerked her head up.
Digger followed her gaze but saw nothing.
“Get down,” Elizabeth hissed, and dragged him down behind the log they had been sitting on.
Digger stared at her, bewildered, just as the bolt of magical energy exploded harmlessly above their heads.
Digger ducked, even though there wasn’t even any heat from the explosion.
“Mages?” Digger asked, even though the answer was obvious. Another bolt of energy exploded directly above them, and again Digger ducked, his heart hammering in his chest. There was nothing he could do. He couldn’t fight a force he couldn’t even see until it hit him.
Luckily, he wasn’t alone. The frown of concentration on Elizabeth’s face said she had something to do with their continued survival.
“Yes, two of them,” Elizabeth answered, her expression far off.
“Can you take them?” Digger asked.
For the first time, Digger saw Elizabeth hesitate. “Maybe,” she said. “But I can’t.”
“What do you mean?”
“They’re from the Dome. They teleported here.”
“Are they after you?” Digger asked in concern. He’d known this was too good to be true. Why would her mage lover accept her being with another man if he could do something about it?
“No, I doubt they’d be trying to knock us out if they were after me.”
That made sense. Her lover wasn’t going to want to harm their child, even if he was angry with Elizabeth. Digger though, was another matter. He swallowed. “Why do you think they’re here then?”
“I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.” And before he could stop her, Elizabeth stood up and stepped over the log, slipping her hand into her belt pouch as she did so, then withdrawing it and holding it above her head. The light glinted off something on her finger.
“I’m from Linarra,” she said loudly. “Stop your attack.”
There was silence then, and Digger dared a peek out from behind the log. Standing just metres away were the two mages, both male and both young. Or at least, they looked young. You couldn’t tell with those mages. They were talking quickly and quietly.
Elizabeth waited patiently.
“Who are you, and what are you doing here?” one of them asked eventually.
Elizabe
th tapped Digger on the shoulder, and he gingerly stepped out behind her, half expecting to be blasted any minute.
“I’m Mage Elizabeth Salinga,” Elizabeth continued. “And what I’m doing here is my business. Why did you attack us?”
The younger one looked defensive. “We’re here by order of Prince Veryn.”
“And Prince Veryn ordered you to attack me?” Elizabeth asked haughtily.
Digger snuck a look at her, but her face was closed and she seemed unfazed by the thought of her lover sending someone to attack her.
Digger wished he could be so calm.
“Well, no. He said nothing about a mage being here. We were after him.” The mage waved his hand at Digger.
Digger swallowed. He didn’t like the turn this was taking at all. It hadn’t even occurred to him that sleeping with Elizabeth might make him an enemy of her powerful lover.
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. “And just why is that?” When they didn’t answer, she pressed further. “You’re Seekers, right? Well, I suggest you go back to Prince Veryn and fill him in on the details, and see if that changes his orders.”
The two exchanged glances, and Digger could see they were taking her suggestion seriously. That relieved him, but only a little.
Finally, the older one said, “I’ll wait here, you go consult with Prince Veryn.”
The younger one looked pleased to have the excuse to leave and promptly teleported away.
The older one scrutinised Elizabeth for another moment before saying quietly, “I take it I can trust you to wait for Prince Veryn’s answer?”
Elizabeth gave the man one of her sweet smiles. “Oh you can trust me to wait all right.”
She then proceeded to ignore the man, sitting down on the log as she had before and calmly eating her bread and cheese as though famished.
After a moment, Digger joined her, but he was unable to summon up any appetite. He wished he had half as much confidence in a positive outcome as she did.
The mage walked back and forth some metres away, and while his back was turned, Digger asked quietly, “Could you take him?”
Elizabeth nodded, her mouth full of cheese. She swallowed. “No problems. But I’m not going to.”