Copper Veins(30)

“Well?” My head snapped up, and I saw Micah towering over me.

“Well, what?” I countered. Micah’s nostrils flared—I should have paid more attention to the yelling.

“What reason did you have to do this?” he demanded. I opened my mouth, but he kept going. “Did you wish for that vile black brew you crave? Or for a journey to the Mundane realm to see that man? Or perhaps this was all over one of those hooded jerkins you insist upon wearing?”

“If you would let me speak—”

“Yes, wife, please speak and explain why you went to that…that hag when I could give you whatever you desire?”

“Was I supposed to just let you die?” I shouted, leaping to my feet. “It took me forever to dig you out, and then you were so cold and I couldn’t wake you up and I didn’t know what to do…I called for the silverkin to help but then she was just there…”

Micah went very still. “You dug me out?”

“Yes!” I wailed. “I felt like I was dragging you out of your grave.” I covered my face with my hands and turned my back to him. After a moment, I felt his hands on my shoulders.

“I…I have no recollection of being buried.”

“Well, you were.” I sniffed and wiped my eyes.

Micah’s thumbs rubbed little circles under my shoulder blades. “This was after the Goblin Market?”

“Yes. After Stoney created those mini-volcanoes, you threw me behind you. I think I hit my head—anyway, I passed out. When I woke up, you were buried under piles and piles of stone and ash. Gods, Micah, you looked like a corpse.” The words caught in my throat, and Micah’s arms slid around my waist. “Then she was there, and I asked her for help. She said I’d owe her, but I didn’t care.” He turned me around then, his silver eyes searching mine. “I told her I would owe her anything, as long she told me how to save you.”

Micah’s eyes widened, but I babbled on, “And you know what? I don’t care if you’re mad at me. I. Don’t. Care! I’d owe her everything, forever, if—”

Micah kissed me then, like a man starved, startling me so much that for a moment I didn’t kiss him back. Then my arms slid around his neck, and my tears slowed, though they didn’t stop. The memory of Micah almost dying was still too fresh, too painful.

“Sara, forgive me,” he murmured, pressing his forehead against mine. “I truly did not know. I recall throwing my silver at Greymalkin, and my next memory is of waking in the silver cairn with you.”

“I’m glad you don’t remember,” I said. “I wish I didn’t remember, but I will never forget. And,” I added, clutching his shirt in my hand, “I’m still not sorry, not one bit.”

“No, I am the one who is sorry,” Micah murmured. “I should not have lost my temper and shouted at you. I should have let you speak. And when we fought before, about your father…” he trailed off, then shook his head. “Please forgive me for being such a terrible husband.”

“How would I know if you’re terrible? You’re the best husband I’ve ever had,” I quipped.

“The only one you’ll ever have,” he said, before kissing me again. “When she said that you owed her a debt—”

“Hush,” I said, placing my fingers on his lips. “It wasn’t my finest moment. Still, I’d do it all again.”

He smiled and nipped at my fingers until I let him speak. “And when she calls for what you owe, we shall pay it together.”

We held each other a bit longer, and then I tugged him toward the metal pathway. “Let’s go home,” I said. “I bet you have a sore throat after all that yelling. I’ll make you some tea. With honey,” I added. Micah’s eyes lit up—he loved honey. Sometimes, it even made it into his tea. Hopefully, none of this honey would.

Micah caressed my cheek. “Gods, I do love you so.” With that, we went home.





13


Just as I’d suspected, Micah didn’t last too long after we returned. By the time the silverkin had brought up the requested tea, he was out like a light, all that honey languishing in its jar.

I stayed in bed with Micah for a time, but I was wide awake and restless. Since I didn’t want my fidgeting to wake him, I rose and made my way to the kitchen. I found Dad, Max, and Sadie seated at the table. Interestingly, Sadie didn’t appear nearly as freaked out as the last time I’d seen her, and I hoped that the two of them had talked some sense into her.

“Dad just had a great idea,” Sadie said without preamble.