Copper Veins by Jennifer Allis Provost Page B

rattle in my head. When we finally stopped, we were standing in the middle of a green meadow. The tranquil scenery did little to alter Micah’s mood.
    â€œWhere are we?” I asked, wobbling as my legs adjusted to being still. “Why didn’t—”
    â€œHow could you do such a thing?” Micah yelled. “Of all the foolish things you could have done, owing a debt to the crone is arguably the worst!”
    Ah. Micah had taken us to the middle of nowhere so he could bellow at me at the top of his lungs without risk of being overheard. If he kept yelling like that he was going to blow out my eardrums. I was almost hopeful at that thought—at least then I wouldn’t be able to hear him.
    I sunk to my knees, watching as Micah stalked around the field, yelling and flailing his arms. I hadn’t seen Micah this mad since the time Max led a gang of iron warriors to the manor, and Micah had crumpled them up like so much used newspaper. While I was used to people being mad at my brother, Micah hadnever been this mad at me.
    â€œWell?” My head snapped up, and I saw Micah towering over me.
    â€œWell, what?” I countered. Micah’s nostrils flared—I should have paid more attention to the yelling.
    â€œWhat 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?”
    â€œIf you would let me speak—”
    â€œYes, wife, please speak and explain why you went to that…that
hag
when I could give you whatever you desire?”
    â€œWas 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?”
    â€œYes!” 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.
    â€œI…I have no recollection of being buried.”
    â€œWell, you were.” I sniffed and wiped my eyes.
    Micah’s thumbs rubbed little circles under my shoulder blades. “This was after the Goblin Market?”
    â€œYes. 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.
    â€œSara, 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.”
    â€œI’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.”
    â€œNo, I am the