Page 60 of Sword & Shadow
Deckard’s head snapped up in shock.
“I’m sorry,” she said around her laughter. “That was uncalled for. I quite appreciate your altruism. It makes you all the more charming.”
He didn’t speak as he continued to study her, doubt evident in his darkening gaze.
Evylin took a step closer, the Day magic curling contentedly around her limbs. “I know you’re trying to take care of me,” she promised. “But it isn’t necessary.”
He stood there, unmoved by her words.
“I’m all right, Jonn. I can carry it.”
“No,” he said firmly. “You can’t.”
Evylin chewed on her bottom lip. “You’re going to make me give it back no matter what I say, aren’t you?” she realized, hoping her fear didn’t wend into her voice.
“Yes,” he said.
Evylin nodded. “All right. What if—what if we make a deal?”
His eyes narrowed.
She held up a hand to beg his indulgence. “I’ll give the Relic back to Rafferty,” she said, then added, “for a day. And then,when I prove to you that you’re wrong—that it won’t hurt me to be parted from it—you let me have it back.”
Deckard drew in a long, deep breath. “And if I deem that I was right, and you can’t handle its inevitable removal?”
“Then you can keep it from me,” she assured him.
As Deckard considered her proposal, Evylin steeled herself for his refusal. She needed this. One day. She could make it one day without the Relic. Shehadto make it one day. But he had to give her the chance first.
“Please, Jonn,” she begged.
Slowly, Deckard released a sigh. Then, with a great deal of reluctance, he nodded.
“Thank you,” she whispered, relief and anxiety coursing through her.
“I won’t let you hurt yourself, Evylin,” he replied, determination and compassion mixed in his words. “Even if you’re convinced you aren’t.”
“I know,” she said, forcing herself to smile. “I’ll be fine. You’ll see.”
The disbelief plain on his face hurt her, knowing it washerhe didn’t believe in.
“I’ll give it to you now if you’d like,” she offered.
“I trust that you’ll hold up your end of the bargain,” he said. “When we get back to camp, I’ll pull Rafferty to the side. We won’t tell anyone else about this. They don’t need to know.”
Evylin nodded, appreciating his discretion.
They walked back to the camp, an uncomfortable distance and awkward silence in the chasm between them.One day,Evylin told herself. She only had to make it one day. And then she could have the Relic back for good.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
5TH OF CHRONOS, 1574
The world had never been so cold.
After nearly a fortnight under the Day Relic’s warming touch, the cold dampness of Wauld permeated deep into Evylin. It didn’t matter that she wore two shirts, leather armor, a wool coat, and a thick travel cloak. The frigid rain and frosted breeze bit at her skin, slicing through to her bones, leaving her brittle and shivering.
Her memory of lying in the snow after Hewitt’s death, freezing in her sorrow, tortured her with every shake of her body. Over and over, she felt the same hollowed-out sensation that came with knowing she’d never again see the person she loved most. Somehow, the ache was as intense as if she were experiencing that loss for the first time.
