[This post is from Phelan’s point of view.]
“If it’s not one thing, it’s another,” Jacqueline grumbled, standing near the tangled holly and lavender that grew along the edges of the ravine now, planted months ago in the hopes that it would help anchor the wards that Marin had worked so hard to lay, the ones that they’d all tried to help her with—with varying levels of success.
Phelan stayed quiet, kneeling next to one of the plants, idly fingering its branches. There was something calming about the action and calm was something he certainly felt like he needed in the wake of everything going on—from his realization that Vammatar’s sisters were back on his trail to Cameron’s news about Leviathan, he needed something to help him find his center again.
There’s no telling when I’m going to have to pull another trick like what Matt and I did the other day or what I did on the ice to save Thordin—and I don’t know if I’ve got another trick like either of those in me at this point. Maybe not ever again.
“Phelan, are you listening?”
He blinked, looking up. She was staring at him, a strange look on her face. He frowned.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured, looking back down at the stalk of lavender between his fingers. “My mind was wandering.”
“It’s been doing that a lot the past few days,” Jacqueline said, sinking down to sit beside him. “What’s wrong?”
He shook his head slightly. The buds were soft against his fingertips. “I’m all right. There’s just a lot on my mind.”
“There’s a lot on all of our minds, Phelan,” she said softly. She put her hand on his arm and squeezed. “Talk to me. Don’t shut me out.”
Phelan shook his head again, shifting to sit instead of kneel. Jacqueline sighed.
“Is this the way it’s going to be?” she asked. “Are you going to clam up every time something’s bothering you just so you don’t upset me by letting me in on what’s going on in your head?”
A choked laugh escaped him. “I hope not.”
“Then talk to me.”
Phelan closed his eyes and leaned toward her. She wrapped both arms around his waist, resting her head against his.
“I love you, Phelan,” she murmured. “Even if you keep secrets and scare the crap out of me. I just don’t want you to shut me out.”
“I won’t,” he promised, wrapping one arm around her. “I promise.”
