That part of him that loved Ember without reservation.
I’m not going to be stupid this time.
He’d get off this rock and get on with what needed to be done. His father had been right. It was time to start thinking with the head on his shoulders.
*
By the next morning, Bastien was only moving because of the roots he’d found. As soon as he heard Dancer stirring, he knew the Andarion would be in every bit as much pain as he was. So to be neighborly, he carried a root over to him.
Dancer glared at his approach.
Bastien grinned at the death he saw in Dancer’s eyes. “Not enough root in the universe, eh?”
“Be glad my weapons are too far to reach or I’d shoot you.”
With a groan of his own, Bastien sat down beside him. “Not a morning person, are you?”
“Fuck you.”
Bastien laughed. “You’re not my type and I’m not quite that desperate.” He flicked playfully at Dancer’s ear. “Though I have to say that you are awfully pretty for a male. If I were ever tempted, it’d probably be by someone as cute as you.”
Dancer bared his fangs to him at the same time Sumi came over with a plate for each of them.
“Our fierce protectors.” Her eyes danced with mirth. “You two don’t look like you could take on a sleeping lizard this morning.”
Dancer mustered a lopsided grin. “I have to say that I definitely felt better last night.”
She blushed profusely.
Which made Dancer blush, too, as they all felt awkward over what the two of them had done last night.
Darice came running up to break the tension. “I saw a sparn this morning. Isn’t this where they nest?”
Dancer hesitated. “Dari—”
“Can’t I go with Thia while we wait?”
He shook his head. “That’s a bad idea. Thia’s no better at climbing than you are. I wouldn’t trust the two of you at an indoor gym alone.”
Darice’s face swelled up immediately. “We’re so close! It’s not fair that I can’t get my Endurance feather!”
Dancer’s expression was every bit as despondent that he was having to say no. With his brow furrowed, he rubbed at his ribs as if he was actually considering taking the climb with his nephew.
Bastien was aghast. While Andarions were tough, that went straight into the realm of stupendously stupid.
Sumi looked up at the cliff in front of them. “What kind of climb are we talking about? Can it be done in one day?”
Dancer hesitated before he answered. “The main approach is just over there.” He pointed to her left. “It’s twelve pitches to the summit. Mostly face climbing with some corners and headwalls. There’s a couple of gendarmes where sparns nest, so you shouldn’t have to go all the way to the summit to get the feathers. The only hazard really is loose rock, and I wouldn’t trust any existing anchors that you might find along the way.” He locked gazes with her. “It’s easily done in a day, barring an accident.… What are you thinking?”
“That I take him.”
They all stared at her.
“What?” she asked in an offended tone. “League trained, folks. Head of my class. Before that, I was a xenobotanist. Been on many vertical expeditions in some frightening places. I can climb a mountain … building … dead body…” She cast a playful grin to Dancer. “Surly Andarions … no problem.”
Dancer turned green and for a minute, Bastien thought he might hurl.
“Please, Dancer?” Darice begged. “Please! Please! Please! I’ll do anything if you say yes! I’ll even wash your boots. Sharpen your sword. Be your personal slave.”
Dancer glanced to Sumi.
“You know I won’t let anything happen to him.”
Darice went down on his knees, crawling toward Dancer and begging as if he were in absolute agony. “Please, Uncle Dancer, please!”
With an irritated sigh, he nodded. “But!” He held his hand up to his overly excited nephew. “You lip off to her and she’s to bring you right back down here. You understand me, Darice?”
“I’ll be good. I promise! I love you, Dancer!” Whooping in delight, he shot to his feet and ran off to get ready.
Hauk pushed himself up with an even louder groan.
“You okay?”
He nodded at Sumi’s concerned question. “I want to double-check the climbing gear.”
“All right, Grandma.”
“I also have the pitches diagrammed.”
“That’ll be helpful. Anything else?”
He pulled her against him and pressed his cheek to hers. “Don’t get hurt.”
Sumi smiled. “I won’t let anything happen to Darice.”
“Not just him.”
“I know.” She kissed his cheek before she pulled back. “Thia? You going with us?”
The look of horror on her face was priceless and comical. “Oh hell no. Peeing off the side of a mountain, listening to Darice moan and complain … I’d rather bring a date home to meet my dad—that would at least be entertaining until I had to scrub the blood out of my clothes.” She gestured toward Bastien. “Think I’ll hang at base camp and watch over the two males who don’t whine like babies.”