Even Matthias smirked at that one. I, on the other hand, had to swallow the stream of insults that came to mind.
“Fine,” Rummy said. “I’m going to take a walk. Enjoy the riveting conversation while I’m gone.”
Was she kidding? “You’re going on a walk? Right now?” I couldn’t help but snort. “I don’t think so. Sit down.”
She was already pushing herself up, the blanket slipping from around her shoulders. “Excuse me?”
My blood heated with annoyance. “It’s too dangerous out there right now. You can’t go wandering around the forest at night, Rummy.”
I should’ve known what was coming next. I should’ve known that no matter what I told her, she’d do the opposite. Even if I was trying to protect her.
“Watch me.” She stomped off into the woods without even a glance back.
I hopped to my feet, my blanket discarded on the ground, and followed her. Whatever I had done in the past life to deserve this, it must’ve been pretty fucking bad.
Chapter 9
Rummy
Ireally was bored. But honestly? I wouldn’t have left if I hadn’t been certain Jessiah would follow me.
The man was an overprotective control freak, and I refused to sit around and let him command me like I was one of his men.
Besides, spending too much time with three men around a fire couldn’t be good for my mental health.
I needed to reconnect with nature, smell the trees, look at the stars, et cetera.
Still, I was already missing the warmth of that fire. I spent many nights in the freezing cold winters of Midgrave, but I was not cut out for this. The breeze brushed against my already chilled skin, and even though it was dark, I took maybe ten paces before I felt Jessiah’s presence.
“You couldn’t possibly make my life any harder, could you?” he asked. “Goddess above, I sometimes wonder how much planning you put into ruining my days.”
“Awww.” I shoved a small branch out of the way, releasing it so it hit Jessiah in the chest. “You wonder about me?”
He growled. “Not funny. I told Wolf and Huntyr that I’d do my best to get us all back home alive. If you go off and die in the woods, they’ll be pissed. And they’ll blame me.”
Just the sound of his voice irritated me. “We can’t have that, can we? We can’t have anyone mad at poor little Jessiah.” I marched faster, desperate to put more space between us.
Of course his concern was upsetting Wolf and Huntyr. He wasn’t actually worried about my safety in the damn woods. I should have known. That would be too nice of him.
He was done caring about me a long, long time ago. And truthfully, I didn’t blame him. Not after what I’d done.
“Can you stop for one damn minute?” He gripped my bicep and spun me around, the force of the move enough to make me lose my balance.
I was dangerously close to smacking into his chest when I caught myself. “What are you?—”
At the sound of leaves crunching to my right, I snapped my mouth shut, and Jessiah and I both turned that way. It was pitch-dark, but every one of my senses lit up.
No, I wasn’t afraid of the woods. But being attacked by a giant monster in the dark? Maybe I was a little afraid of that.
“Don’t move,” Jessiah whispered.
Even as a chill ran down my spine, I rolled my eyes. “Wasn’t planning on it. I’d rather not get eaten by whatever’s lurking out there.” We were probably overreacting. It was probably nothing.
Before I could say that to him, he pulled his sword from his belt and stepped in front of me, his white wings outstretched, as if sheltering me.
And we waited. Though it was only seconds, it felt like hours. My heart pumped, sending blood flowing to my limbs, preparing me for the fight.
Not like it would do me any damn good.
