Chapter 2Walking back into the village, toward the inn, Aric kept an only slightly protective eye on Emrys, at his side. Em did not need protecting, but old habits died hard; he knew they both still occasionally dreamed of fire, licking leaping flames at the edge of bound hands, and the haunting specter of everything that might’ve happened.
He took Em’s hand, heedless of mud and wide-eyed villagers. He liked the feel of those slim fingers in his.
Em’s stormcloud eyes glinted, amused. He didn’t object to the affection, though. “There’s something in that lake.”
“Aside from magical giant snails, you mean?”
“Unfortunately, yes.” Em hopped over a puddle, and didn’t let go of his hand. Around them, faces peeped from windows, from doorways; the residents of Dun Nas watched them with equal par
