Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR

GA'REK

S he's sought my touch not once, not twice, but now thrice.

Her dainty hand rests tentatively inside mine, so small and delicate that I'm afraid to move for accidentally hurting her. This hand that has only known violence and is calloused from years of holding a sword now holds something so precious I feel as though my heart might burst from the simple joy of it.

It takes me a moment to realize the scared woman has begun to speak, because I can't stop watching the way her hand sits inside mine.

"It started a few months ago," she says, her voice quailing. Her dark brown eyes flit between us and some spot just over Piper's shoulder.

A chill breeze brushes across the nape of my neck, and I rub one hand over it absentmindedly.

"It's okay, Violet," Piper says, her voice calm and strong.

A generous heart beats under her ribcage, and I narrow my eyes. She's a study in contrasts: her ability to care so deeply for others and expect the least in return is baffling. She doesn't like that she needs help, doesn't expect it, doesn't want it—and then is embarrassed when I offer to ease her burdens.

And yet, she wants to carry everyone else's.

"Tell us. You'll feel better. Here," she pushes the steaming mug of tea towards the other woman, who picks it up with trembling hands. "It's charmed to help soothe the soul. I assume you know we're mostly witches and magical creatures here in Wild Oak Woods." Her voice is calm, steady, and the woman sips from the mug, then nods.

"That's—that's why I'm here. I thought you could help."

"We can help," Piper tells her, and I'm struck again by how easily she offers something she will not take.

I squeeze her hand reflexively, though, loving the fact that I might just be part of the ‘we' she's promising. Helping is something I'm unused to, sure, though Caelan needed a fair bit over the years. Kieran, too, of course, the Unseelie prince the entire reason Caelan and I ended up in Wild Oak Woods at all.

Perhaps I'm better at helping than I think.

Perhaps I just need to convince Piper I'm the one she should count on.

"We can help," I agree, watching Violet swallow a huge chunk of sandwich.

"I went to the inn at the edge of town, but the owner, he said that they're renovating before a festival and the few rooms they have available are already let." Her voice breaks on the last word. She takes another bite of her sandwich, her cheeks full as can be as she stares down at the ham-and-brie in her hands.

Piper glances up at me, her brow furrowed, and I know without a doubt what she's going to offer.

I need to beat her to it.

"I have a spare?—"

"You can have my room," I interrupt her, my voice booming louder than the storm outside. "I have a room at that inn. I'll tell Caelan, he's the one tied to—I mean, he runs the place."

"No, I couldn't possibly," Violet starts, then claps a hand over her full mouth. Her eyes are huge and pleading, but it's not her I'm trying to help, not really.

Because this is an extremely selfish move on my part, and will put me exactly where I want to be.

"She can stay in my guest bed?—"

"I'll stay in your guest bedroom," I tell Piper, grinning at her. At her, and at myself, because I can't deny that I'm very pleased by my own quick thinking. "Violet will be more comfortable in her own room, and then I have a much shorter trip to work in the early mornings, right, Piper? Plus, you've been so worried about this festival, and now I'll be around all the time to help with that."

Piper's pretty pink mouth is wide open as she stares at me, her cheeks rosy. She clears her throat, and I watch the smooth column of it tense.

I want to lick a stripe up it, scent her skin and put my ear to it as she begs for me to take her.

Like the former blood sport champion of the Unseelie Court, however, I control myself.

I've already made the opening ploy for Piper's attentions, by inserting myself into her guest room. Then she will accept my help for the autumn festival, and from there we will?—

"I don't want to put anyone out," the newcomer says nervously.

"Don't be ridiculous," Piper tells her easily. "I love having people stay with me, and as much as it pains me to admit it, I need the help Ga'Rek is offering."

"I could help too," Violet says. "I mean, I am… all over the place right now, but you're being so kind, the least I can do is help with your festival."

"We will take all the help we can get," I tell her, and Piper makes a small noise of dismay. I arch an eyebrow at her, daring her to disagree.

She doesn't though. Instead, she rolls her eyes towards the brass and glass pendants hanging from the ceiling and sighs in defeat. "He's right again. I do need help, but we won't demand too much. The best person I can think of to help you would be Nerissa, for your type of magic."

"You're not… you're not afraid of me? Of… the fact I can see dead people?" Violet's eyes brim with tears.

"I've killed enough in my time that I would have to be a fool to be afraid of the dead," I tell her with a laugh.

She turns to me, blanching, and Piper pinches the bridge of her nose.

"What Ga'Rek means to say is that there is nothing to fear of the dead. It might not feel like it now, but this is a gift. Being afraid of death is normal, of course, but it isn't evil, or bad. It simply… is." She shrugs a shoulder. "It is part of the balance of life, and like all magic, seeing those on the other side of the veil only turns dark if that is your intention."

"I don't want to hurt anyone," Violet says, her fingers trembling as she reaches for the tea again.

I scratch my chin, because I'm not sure I would have the same reaction were I able to communicate with the dead. Not that I'm searching out people to hurt, not by any means, but I would surely have someone keep an eye on the Dark Queen for Caelan, Kieran, and me.

"I'll take you to Nerissa's as soon as the storm dies down," Piper says. She peers over her shoulder, at where the rain has slowed to a sleepy drizzle, though the wind still makes the old building groan and creak. "She's a spellsmith, and she'll help you start getting sorted out." Piper brightens. "Oh, and then you'll get a familiar once your powers have settled a bit, and you can join our book club, and you're just going to love it here. I'll send over some things for your room at the inn, too."

I smile fondly at her, because she's babbling and excited and biting off more than she has time for yet again, so eager to assist everyone that she comes in contact with.

I've never met anyone as kind-hearted as this brown-haired witch, who holds my hand.

My tusks scrape against my lower lip as I smile.

And I get to sleep in her guest room tonight, and until the new witch finds a permanent place to stay.

If I could reach my back to pat it, I certainly would.