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Chapter 11
After that Galian became exhausted and Annalaya allowed him to rest his head in her lap.
She stayed there for over an hour, smoothing the hair from his face.
She was so thankful that he was all right. She didn't know what she would have done if something bad had happened to him.
Annalaya looked down at the sparrow-man feeling tears well up in her eyes.
What was it she felt for him? Was it really love or appreciation of not being alone? Whatever it was, it was very strong, and it scared her.
It frightened her all the more when she realized that she didn't want to live alone anymore or could. She needed human companionship—she craved it. Now that she had a taste of it after so many years she didn't want to go back to just her and a sparrow as a friend. She didn't want to go back as Galian being just a sparrow.
Galian shifted and his hand found hers. Annalaya watched as a small smile twitched on his lips.
He was so peaceful to have been shot not even a day ago. His face betrayed no pain from what she could see.
A twig snapped somewhere in the trees and Annalaya stiffened, her fingers stilling in Galian's hair.
What was that… or she should say who was that?
The peddler woman? Could she have found them this quick? Was there nowhere safe to hide?
Her heart clenched in her chest. She feared more for Galian than herself.
There wasn't anywhere to hide. Galian couldn't change into a sparrow in his state and was the most vulnerable. Even if he changed it would likely hurt a great deal.
What could she do?
Rustling in the brush made her head shoot up in alarm.
Her eyes found a doe, and she slumped in relief. They were safe for now.
Annalaya turned her gaze back to Galian and longed to kiss him. She wasn't sure where this urge had come from but she just couldn't help herself. She leaned down and touched her lips to his. When she pulled back his eyes were open.
Oops…
She hadn't meant for him to know. Let alone wake up. She felt her face turning red.
"I must have been dreaming for I thought you to be kissing me," Galian's words were muffled from sleep.
Maybe he would think he dreamt it up. Yes… maybe he just would.
"I should find us something to eat." Annalaya rose up after propping the sparrow-man's head down on the brush.
Galian frowned. "Must you?"
Annalaya didn't answer. She had to get away before her emotions got the better of her. She couldn't declare her love for him, it would complicate things. She couldn't risk losing him as friend.
So lost her thoughts the tree girl hadn't realized she had just walked into a trap until it was much too late. Annalaya screamed as a net closed up around her and she was suspended in the air.
"No! No, no, no!" She furiously pulled at the net. It only bound itself tighter.
So she did the only thing she could do. She screamed for all she was worth.
"Annalaya!" Galian's voice rang through the trees.
No. He couldn't get up and find her. He would bleed out. She wouldn't have him climbing the tree to release her.
You can always die… a voice said in her head.
Annalaya scowled.
A few minutes later a sparrow landed on the net. She could see his wound across his chest.
"Galian!"
The bird gave her a scathing look, well as much as a bird could.
The sparrow chattered and flitted off into the tree. He faltered in his flying but he pushed himself forward.
He was too weak for this. What was he doing?
He bit at the ties with his beak for a few minutes. When that only loosened the net, Galian landed on a fairly large branch near the ties. He grunted in pain as he landed down hard from his phasing.
He gave the rope ties a sharp yank.
SNAP!
Annalaya squealed as she hit the earth floor with a force. Her cut up hands smarted from the impact.
Galian was down beside her in moments. "I'm sorry." He helped her out of the net, ignoring his own pain.
"As am I." a familiar voice called up.
Uh oh...