“You’re a hard one to find, Starborne,” Draven bellowed through the heavy rainfall.
“Clearly not hard enough!” she shouted back, emphasizing her annoyance.
“Well, are you going to invite me in?” He gestured with a nod at her spot beneath the willow.
Astraia stood as she spoke, a challenge in her voice. “Why would I, bounty hunter? So you can continue to lie to my face? Or so you can finally drag me to your beloved king?”
“I just want to talk. Can we agree to be civil, or are you going to let me drown out here?” Water was pouring down his face, his hair soaked.
“Fine. But one wrong move, and I’ll slit you from nose to navel.” Astraia pulled back her cloak, revealing her Celestial dagger for emphasis.
“Understood.” He grinned, stepping under the willow branches.
The rain only drizzled beneath the shade of the tree, but Draven was already soaked through. His shirt clung to his chest to accentuate his intimidating form. He had rolled up both of his sleeves, his cryptic and elaborate tattoos on full display.
“Alright, you invaded the one sanctuary I have left in this wretched realm. So start talking,” she barked, forcing her eyes to meet his.
“Civil, remember?” His eyebrow rose, scolding her.
Astraia huffed, not willing to indulge him with an answer.
He ran his hand through his wet hair, letting out a sigh, then rubbed the back of his neck. “I wanted to thank you. For helping me.”
She blinked in shock. “What?”
“You saved me. You could have left me to die out there in the woods, bleeding out, but you didn’t. You know what I am, and you still saved me. So, thank you.” His voice was lined with subtle disbelief, as though he still was grappling with the reality of her rescue.
“Well…” she started, “I owed you, so, let’s just call it even now.”
Astraia made to leave the cover of the willow tree, but Draven grabbed her hand. Sparks danced between their fingers, warmthrushing through her skin, making her hair stand on end. Her gaze fell to their hands, then back to his face. His eyes were fixed on her.
“I’m leaving tomorrow.”
“What? Why?” She struggled to mask the panic seizing her.
“I told you not to trust me.” Draven echoed his warnings from days past, a touch of hurt in his tone.
“But why stay this whole time? What was the point of saving me, Draven? Is this just a game to you? Some kind of messed up game of cat and mouse?” Astraia’s voice rose as red-hot heat flooded her face.
She tried to pull her hand from his, but he would not let her go, instead pulling her closer to him under the rainy willow tree.
“You aren’t what I was expecting. You are powerful, loyal, kind without cause. You have every reason to burn the world down. To make them all kneel to you. But you don’t. And now, I can’t trust myself. I need to leave, before I burn it down for you.”
Draven spoke without hesitation, resolute as he stood before her. Whispers of white smoke swirled around him, as though his declaration had caught fire—and Astraia was not afraid.
She quit tugging at her hand and looked at the bounty hunter. She could see the war waging inside him, a conflict between his honor and his orders. He was leaving to save her.
Astraia raised her free hand and cupped the side of his face. New warmth pulsed beneath her palm on contact, putting her bond on edge.
His hand moved to rest on top of hers, his eyes closing. His entire face relaxed, peace replacing the wrath he swore to bring down on her enemies.
“Stay. Please.” Her plea was but a whisper in the rain.
His eyes opened, locking onto hers. “This is the only way to keep you safe, Starborne.”
He gently pulled her hand away from his face, releasing his hold.
“I wish you wouldn’t call me that,” she murmured, looking up at him, trying to commit to memory every line and scar and curve of his face—terrified this would be the last time he would tease her.
