Discovery at Nerwolix (13 page)

“Nice send off by the way.”

“Thought it was appropriate,” he winks,
starting for Sampson’s home. I dig my feet onto the bark, scanning
the opposite direction. Reid turns. “What’s wrong?”

“We should probably check on Able first.
Make sure he’s doing okay.”

Keeping our hands clasped, we head for the
Rogue’s trunk-dwelling and once we reach it, Reid opens the red
curtain. He pokes his head in. “You awake, Commander?”

“Hey, Boss. Yeah, come in.”

Reid steps back and I enter first, relief
flooding through me at the sight of Able awake in bed. He’s propped
up against some extra red cushions and as I move for him, I can’t
help but smile. “Hey there, bestie.”

“Fallon!” his face lights up. “How are you?
I heard you were captured by—”

“I’m fine,” I scan his arm. “How about
you?”

“Eh,” he shrugs with his good shoulder.
“Feeling better. Had a few Zingfinold girls come in to check on me
today. That was nice.”

“You get a sponge bath?” I raise a brow.

“Not quite,” he grins, “but some massages.
They uh… they really believe in a touchy physical recovery.”

“Sounds like Jace would love it.”

“Oh he would—this is his paradise. He just
doesn’t know it yet.”

“I think he knows…” Reid laughs, eyeing
Able’s position. “Think you’re up for a walk to Sampson’s?”

“Definitely!” Able swings his feet off the
bed and moves to a stand. “I’ve been meaning to get out all
afternoon. But then the girls kept coming in and…” he shrugs with a
shy grin, “you know….couldn’t just leave them.”

“I bet.”

“What’d you guys do?” Able looks between us
as he passes the red curtain.

“Walker showed us how to get around the
trees,” I explain. “He started on the weapons but Perry showed up
and said Sampson wanted to talk,” I lead us up the slanted
branch-bridge toward the post in the middle. “I’m sure we can teach
you what we learned.”

“Good. So…” he looks between us, “is this
like a dinner thing or…?”

“Not sure,” Reid says, and after a moment,
glances over at me. “What about it? You hungry?”

My stomach rumbles in response and I slip my
hand over it. “I could eat.”

“Okay. I’ll get us something
afterwards.”

Reaching Sampson’s home, we find the room is
already packed with all the Dofinikes, the rest of the Rogues,
Walker, Pratt and Mae. It is an extremely tight fit and I can’t
believe we’re all able to squeeze in here.

“Didn’t want to leave Able out of this one,”
Reid gestures to the Commander.

“No, not at all,” Sampson shakes his head,
gesturing to a giant bowl of fruit sitting on his bed. “Please,
eat.”

“
Yes
,” Able celebrates under his
breath, already making for the mountain of food. “Let’s see, what
have we got?”

After retrieving his selection, I reach for
the closest fruit—a round melon with a deep golden-green skin. Reid
grabs something else and we both retire to the walls with the
others.

“And everybody please, take as much as you
want,” Sampson looks around, strumming his fingers in front of him.
“We wanted to keep you up to date with where things stand.”

“As you know, Hozfin wants very little to do
with what’s happening. We cannot force him to plan for the
offensive…” he sighs, “…but, he has agreed to widen his
perimeters.”

“From the Hylas Mountains all the way to the
shore,” Qippert nods eagerly. “Which is
extremely
essential
for the invasion. Better to have eyes further out.”

“Eyes?” Pratt asks.

“Lookouts,” Clarence bites into his plum
fruit.

“There’s a shore around here?” Mae glances
between Blovid and Sampson.

“At the southernmost edge of the forest,”
Clarence chews with a nod. “There’s a beach.”

“Is it a good possibility they’ll come from
there?” I grip the golden-green food in my hand. “Are they going to
land right on the Zingfinolds? Or go straight to searching for the
Gift?” I bring the food up to my mouth, hesitating. “What do you
think?”

My teeth sink into the soft flesh, the sweet
tangy juice filling my mouth. Sampson glances to the others,
pausing briefly on Clarence and Blovid. He looks back at me. “In
this case? Both. Reuzkimpart has the numbers. He can afford to
search and keep us distracted in battle. In fact, that’s what I’m
betting he’ll do.”

“If we knew where the Floating Ruby was
hidden,” Clarence sighs, pacing in the small bit of space
available, “we could protect it.”

“But they do not know where it is hidden
either,” Blovid says. “We are at the same disadvantage.”

“Who
does
know where it’s hidden?”
Reid asks.

“Thias. Hozfin, possibly. There’s no way of
telling.”

“Would the Vermix go after Thias?” I
ask.

“It would be suicide on his part,” Sampson
exhales. “The Zingfinolds are skilled at keeping off invaders… but
King Thias has a formal defense force. From what I remember, it
stands at fifty thousand strong. And that was… some time ago. It
may have increased by now.”

“It has…” Blovid nods, “and since the Vermix
will entertain rumors of the southern region, I suspect they will
leave the Nerwos out of it. For now, at least.”

“So we’re really on our own?” Jace asks.

“You’ve got all the Zingfinolds,” Walker
retrieves another fruit from the bowl. “I know we didn’t get much
training in, but that’s nothing to sneeze about.”

“Yes,” Clarence agrees, “we’ll have all the
Zingfinolds, but if Reuzkimpart’s aim is doing this only once,
he’ll bring as big a force as he can.”

“What’re you thinking?” Reid asks.
“Number-wise?”

Clarence shrugs, glancing to Sampson and
Blovid. “What do you say…five? Ten thousand?”

“Holy shit,” Jace coughs, mid-chew.

“Ten thousand?” Booker asks. “Is that worst
case scenario?”

“Oh no,” Sampson shakes his head. “Could be
much,
much
more. But,” he sighs, “unfortunately, Reuzkimpart
is not completely daft. He’ll play this smart. I would say…” he
inhales, “a wave of five first. Then another five.”

“And we have no idea
when
?” Mae
asks.

“
Soon
.”

“I’m surprised they haven’t done it yet,” I
take another bite.

“Oh…” Blovid hooks his hands on his hips,
“he is getting ready to. Reuzkimpart is mobilizing his forces as we
speak. If I had to put a guess to it…I would give him…. another few
days.”

“That’s it?” Mae blanches.

“He’ll want to strike soon,” Sampson agrees.
“We’re looking at a very small window here.”

Everything is silent for a long minute.
Finally, Pratt breaks the silence between bites. “At least they
widened the perimeter.”

“Yes,” Qippert nods. “That is good. That is
paramount
.”

“Indeed.” Sampson agrees. “The sooner we’re
notified of where they’ve landed, the better chance we’ll have of
protecting the city.”

“I can’t believe they’ll be here in a few
days,” Mae mumbles, pulling at her fingers. “It’s like Harrizel all
over.”

“That’s why you’ll need to spend them with
Walker; learn the Zingfinold’s best defenses before then.”

“Are we going to be ready for this?” Reid
raises a brow at Sampson. A quiet look passes between them.

He shifts his weight from foot to foot. “I
think we’ll never truly be ready. But we know it’s coming. We know
to expect them,” he looks around. “And that’s a good start.”

No one says anything. They keep chewing,
staring down at the ground and ruminating over everything said.
After a few minutes of silence elapse, Pratt wipes her mouth with
the back of her hand.

“I’m tired,” she stands, moving for the
curtain. “I’m going to sleep.”

“Yes, maybe it’s best we retire for the
night. We can reconvene tomorrow in the morning. Walker,” Sampson
turns to him, “you’ll be showing them the beach and the edge of the
Hylas?”

“We’re leaving right after breakfast.”

“Very good.”

“Another beach, ay?” Jace sighs.

“Are we staying on the sand this time?” Able
asks.

“Unless you fall in, yeah,” Walker nods,
tossing his fruit up and catching it again. He takes a bite. “But
it wouldn’t hurt if we all went in for a dive.”

“Pretty much wearing bathing suits anyway,”
Jace shrugs, “maybe a quick dip wouldn’t be bad.”

“As long as we get the full perimeter,”
Tucker narrows his eyes. “We need to know where they can come
from.”

“We’ll go the full perimeter,” Walker nods,
taking another bite. “Don’t worry.”

“I’m going to head back and lie down too,” I
say. “Still feeling a little tired from… everything,” I look around
the room. “Night.”

Reid pushes himself from the wall. “Want
some company?”

“S-sure.”

Grinning, he threads his fingers with mine
and I do my best to ignore the smirks from the Rogues and the sour
frown emanating from Walker like a blast of disapproving heat.
Before I have a chance to process his expression, Reid and I whip
past the red curtain and emerge out into the dark night. Jarred
fireflies light up the black trees, emitting a faint glowing
through the cracks in the bark. A few jars are hung along the
branches, illuminating the bridges as we head over them.

“Here we go,” Reid stops right at my red
curtain, his hand still locked with mine.

“Well… thanks for the escort.”

“Any time.”

Blushing, I slowly step back. Meaning to hit
the curtain, my back finds the hard wood but I don’t even feel it.
I’m too focused on Reid’s intense gaze. Licking my lips, my heart
takes off in a pounding race as he leans in, placing a hand on the
trunk above my head.

“I can…” his mouth widens into the sweetest
smile, “help you inside… if you want.”

“Mighty generous of you,” I watch his lips,
heat already burning through me. I want him to kiss me like he did
earlier, like he always does when I can’t breathe and the world has
stopped and I’m lost in the power of his touch. Already trembling,
I gulp. “Did you uh…want to come in?”

“Always,” he whispers in my ear, his hands
slipping to my hips. My body jerks in response and Reid presses
against me. I’m burning up, especially as he trails his lips down
my jaw. He moves for my mouth and reaching it, he cups his hands
around my face, holding me to him. Opening my mouth, he groans, his
tongue in hot exploration as he takes over. Another groan escapes,
deep and desperate from the back of his throat.

“Maybe we should slow down…” I break off the
kiss, shifting to the side.

“What?” he pants. He’s confused—scared a
little—as he waits for my answer. This feels so good—why would I
want to slow down? Because, if we keep this up, we’ll be on my bed
in seconds and… what if I say it again?

“Hey,” he tugs on my lower lip. “You
okay?”

“Yeah.”

“You sure?”

I nod.

“You really want to slow down?” his hands
slide to my hips. Breathing down my neck with gentle, whispered
words, he sends shivers along my spine. “We can do whatever you
want. No pressure…” he softly kisses my collarbone. “You know that…
right?”

I nod again, biting my lip.

“Or did you want to slow down to
this
?” he brushes his lips against the tender part of my
throat. Unexpected suction nearly causes me to convulse, my eyes
rolling up at their own will. I’m on fire, my body completely
liquid under his. Still gently latched on, Reid moves his hands
over my stomach.

“Gross,” Perry sneers.

Dropping his hold on me, Reid’s hand flies
out to the bark above my head again. With an annoyed sigh, he
flashes her a look. “What do you want?”

“Not to witness this.”

“Then leave,” Reid points behind her.
“Bye.”

“I need to talk to you.”

“I’d rather shoot myself.”

“This is serious, Rox,” she steps forward,
pulling at her fingers. “It’s about the invasion. You guys don’t
tell me anything… but…
I
might have information that could
help.”

Reid hangs his head and after a second, he
looks to me. “Am I invited in later?”

“Depends on how late it is,” I throw Perry a
glare. She returns it fully, rolling her eyes as she crosses her
arms. I look back to Reid. “How long do you think you’ll be?”

“Not long and I’m coming here right after,”
he gulps. “Okay?”

“Okay.”

Reid kisses my temple and turns for the dark
featured girl in front of me. I spin, heading past the red curtain.
I have no intention of seeing him pair off with Perry so I focus on
the bed, still panting out my boiling nerves.

“You better give me something good,” Reid
huffs, his voice petering off as they move away.

Good.

This will give me a chance to cool down. I
can’t think straight with his hands on me. And I’ll tell him again.
I know I will. And he won’t say it… he has every right not to. Reid
doesn’t have to tell me he loves me. It hasn’t even been a month
since he found out he was engaged, since he found out he belonged
to someone else. It’s too soon for him and I get that. But even
though I’ll pretend it’s not happening, my heart will break a
little.

***

I’m not sure how long I’ve been lying here,
slowly drifting in and out when something soft presses against my
lips. My eyes flutter open, a new warmth stirring inside. Reid’s
face is inches from my own. “Asleep already?”

“I see you let yourself in.”

“It’s not too late…” he sits on the bed. “Is
it?”

“Depends. How long were you with her and
what’d you learn?”

“Thankfully I was only with Perry for about
twenty minutes. She told me about a tunnel through the Hylas
Mountains. She went there with one of the tribesmen and didn’t
think Walker knew about it.”