Page 17 of Dryad’s Treasure

Keir’s lips twitched as he fought a smile. “I’ve never known Martin to be anything but. As a matter of fact, some would say it is not one of his finer attributes, though I’ve never thought so.”

“I’m not sure if I was just insulted or if that was a compliment,” Martin said.

Keir gave Martin a truer smile before turning back to me. “If Martin says he can do this, then I believe him.”

“And you’d stake your life on that? Because that’s what you’re asking me to do.” If I hadn’t made this crystal clear before, I wanted to do so now. “If I get lost while in my wisp form, if the pull is too strong and I’m being torn asunder, there’s no going back. Martin will be all I have.” I swallowed hard, wondering if I were truly considering this.

Keir gave a solemn nod and answered, “Without hesitation.”

I scoffed and turned from both of them. Arms wrapped around my middle, I lifted one hand enough to chew on my thumbnail. That was easy for Keir to say. Martin actually liked him. Me, not so much. I wouldn’t apologize for being a will-o’-the-wisp. But I’d be lying if I said it didn’t bother me that Martin disliked me. I wasn’t sure why. Sure, Martin was handsome, but so were a thousand others. Looks weren’t everything. Far from it. Sometimes there was just something inexplainable—something intangible that dug its claws in and made you take notice.

That’s how Martin made me feel, like there was an itch deep in my chest I couldn’t physically reach. It was curious at the best of times and downright annoying at the worst. And right now was not one of those better times.

“Maybe you should contact another will-o’-the-wisp.” My words were barely loud enough for Keir and Martin’s ears.

“I was under the impression another would have the same issue. Is that untrue?” Keir asked.

I shook my head, still unwilling to turn and look at them. “No, it’s true.”

“Then I do not see what the advantage would be.” Keir sounded truly confused.

“Maybe Martin would like them better. He could⁠—”

“I would not agree to be anyone’s anchor but yours.” Martin interrupted my foolish statement.

This time, I did turn. Eyes wide, I stared up at him. I wasn’t certain when, but at some point, Martin had moved closer. Barely three feet separated us now. “What?”

Cheeks stained pink, Martin held my gaze. “I said, I would not agree to be another will-o’-the-wisp’s anchor. Just yours.”

“Why?” I wasn’t feigning confusion.

Martin shook his head. “All I can say is that I wouldn’t be able to guarantee their safety the way I can guarantee yours.”

“You’re that certain?”

“I am.” Martin certainly sounded sure of himself.

“And you understand that if I agree, you could very well hold my life in your hands. If you fail when I need you, I⁠—”

“I won’t fail.” Martin’s chest puffed out, his shoulders thrown back, and the glare in his eyes determined. “I will not fail you.”

My heart hammered and I gripped the fabric over that beating organ. Was I really going to agree to this? The quiet “all right” that slipped passed my lips indicated that yes, yes I was going to agree to this.

Eight

Martin

I stared into those pale blue eyes and knew I meant every word I’d spoken, every promise I’d made, and every emotion that had underlain them. I couldn’t explain it. One minute I’d been telling Keir every reason this wouldn’t work and the next… The very idea that Grayson thought I couldn’t be his anchor, that I would be incapable of performing this task—that was the tipping point. Possibly the point where I’d lost my dryad mind.

I wasn’t sure if it was my wounded pride speaking or if Grayson’s disbelief in my abilities had sparked my competitive nature. Maybe it was neither of those and something I wasn’t ready to admit. Right now, I didn’t even want to go looking. The reason didn’t truly matter. All that was important was that I believed what I said—that I had every intention of being what Grayson needed.

Now I just needed to figure out how to do that.

Clearing his throat, Keir stepped closer before announcing, “Jima requested my attention earlier. Now seems like a good time. I’ll leave the two of you alone to hash things out. That is, unless I’m needed here?”

Grayson’s gaze never left mine as he answered, “No third party required.”

“Excellent. The two of you may feel free to use my quarters to…discuss things.” I only peripherally noticed Keir leaving, the door slipping closed with a nearly silent whoosh, leaving Grayson and me alone.