What are you doing?she asked in his mind, her eyestrailing over his still-bent back and the hand he wouldn’t drop until hers slipped into it.
Raine rounded his eyes innocently. “I am being yourfriend.”
Why do you keep saying that like it’s a threat?She sliced her own eyes back.
Because it was…
If it was the last thing he fucking did, it would be not to be her friend, but to be everything else.
But he didn’t say that; instead, he shuffled forward, holding himself in a bow until he was able to grab her hand himself. “Come on, sunshine. Throw me down in this ring like I know you want to.”
The words came out rougher than he meant, and Raine had to steel his spine not to react when Frecco cleared his throat, amusement filling the sound.
Frelina went entirely crimson as she hissed “Get up,” but while her face was stern as she pulled him with her to one of the free spots—many Fae and humans had now gathered to practice their skills—her hand didn’t release his when they halted in the place she’d chosen.
Raine wasn’t about to fucking let go, either, so he just grinned at her until she realized what they were doing, then dropped his hand and stepped back, shaking her head.
“Should we get started?” Raine wiggled his fingers over his curved blades.
Frelina hummed as she planted her feet, holding her own sword with two hands.Yes. But… sunshine?
You needed a new nickname.Raine spun his blades in his hands, somehow feeling more connected to them, to the air, to the world around him as those golden eyes held his captive.
She frowned.But why sunshine?
I’ll tell you when you get these swords out of my hands.Raine bounced his brows up and down as she stepped forward, knowing very well that might never happen—not unless he allowed her to win. Still, he could tell that fueled something within her, and he couldn’t help but be fucking proud of the force she attacked him with.
Again and again.
Until they were both drenched with sweat.
Chapter 17
Lessia
She couldn’t stop staring at the shimmering castle as it towered over them, throwing the beautiful path—with flowers in all colors she could think of weaving around it—in shade, although given how high the sun stood in the sky, it was a welcome relief.
The gold and red stones that made up the castle glistened under the rays of the sun, though, and Lessia had to squint to continue taking in the several towers shooting up toward the sky where sparkling glass windows were open to let the breeze in.
She’d heard of this place growing up—it was where her father had been raised, after all. It’s where every Rantzier had lived since it was built. But it was another thing seeing it.
It was magnificent. She’d thought the white castle in Ellow had been as well, but… it paled in comparison to this massive structure.
A wooden drawbridge with thick chains was already down, and based on how the soldiers postedalong it, and down the entire rest of their path, stood with their heads lowered, not a word slipping past their lips, she guessed Merrick’s warning had already been spread.
Glancing up at the Death Whisperer, she couldn’t help but smile again when he immediately turned his head her way, his eyes flying over her face to ensure she was all right.
She’d seen in his gait and his tense shoulders how much he hated stepping into the role he’d now been forced to, and although she wasn’t as sure he regretted killing that commander, she couldn’t fault him.
He’d done it for her.
Like he would do anything for her.
Like she would do anything for him.
That’s just how it was. She knew that now. They would live or die or fight or flee together. There was no other option. She and Merrick… they weren’t just soulbound. There was something else.
Maybe fate… but she didn’t think that was it. Not only fate, at least.
