When I raise my hand, the thread lifts into the air, fighting gravity itself. Brundil mirrors the motion, lifting her spindly hand as well, too many rooty fingers to be human. The thread loops around her digits, pulling our wrists together until our fingertips touch.
Locking eyes with her, I say, “Brundil of earth, I bind myself to you. Let there not be a day that I do not bask in your wonder,am not satiated by the creatures of your lands, and am not comforted by the magic that courses from you, all around me.”
Her fingers lace with mine and the thread explodes into stardust, fading from view. Tiny flowers pop up along her roots. She gives a smile and nods before sinking back into the ground.
I stare in wonder as the grasses return to their previous positions. There is no sign that she was ever there.
Aurora rests her hand once more on my shoulder. “Well done.”
CHAPTER 18
I siton the cot in Conri’s tent, waiting for him to arrive. He demanded I be delivered earlier tonight, leaving no time for Evander to sneak me off. I briefly consider trying to take care of my needs before Conri can arrive. But the idea of doing it on his cot…where he could walk in at any moment… The thought makes me gag.
Instead, I keep my hands busy and my mind focused on other things.
My cape is draped over my knees, thread beside me. I slowly embroider a tree in the same thread I used earlier to bond with Brundil. It is a reminder and a memorization. It is a physical manifestation of tying her magic to mine…and to the children I don’t yet have that I dream of someday passing on these names and powers to, just as my grandma and mother did for me.
Without warning, the tent flap opens. I knot off the thread and quickly snap it with my fingers, returning the needle to my kit.
“I’m sorry to keep you waiting. But I see you found a way to entertain yourself.” Conri smiles and approaches, kissing both my cheeks.
“It’s good to have hobbies.” I try and fling the cape around my shoulders, but I don’t have a chance before Conri takes it from my hands and sets it aside. I have to bite my lip to keep myself from asking him not to touch it and clench my fists to stop myself from grabbing it back from him.
He glances back in my direction, noticing the former. “Oh, allow me.”
Conri takes my face in both of his hands again, leaning forward to kiss me slowly. He sucks my lower lip between his teeth, biting lightly. The movement almost elicits a moan from me. I force my thoughts instantly to Evander—the only thing that can break Conri’s charm. I think of Evander’s mouth on mine. Of him next to me in his cot where I have pleasured myself for the past few days.
It keeps my head about me enough to break the kiss from Conri when there is a moment and pull away. “Forgive me, but travel still makes me weary. I do not think I will be a worthy bed companion for you while we are on the road. And you, my king, deserve nothing less than the most enthusiastic partner.”
There’s a glint to his eyes that complements the wickedness in his grin as he says, “I know what you’re doing.”
My blood runs cold. Those words. So simple. As sharp as a knife’s edge running down my throat.
“My king?” I look up at him, trying to have nothing but confusion on my features. Play the part. Don’t give too much away until I must.
Conri, wolf king, drops to one knee before me. The cot is low and he is tall, so our eyes are nearly at the same level. I can’t clear a knot in my throat. My mouth is bone dry.
He seems to enjoy the silence. No, he enjoys what it does to me. Conri allows me to steep in it a little bit longer until he lets out the soft rumble of a chuckle.
“I know someone must have told you of my charm and you are doing all you can to resist it. I know you are most likely conspiring with Aurora to use her magic, in some way that I do not understand, to help subdue the influence.”
I open my mouth to object, not wanting Aurora to be dragged into this. She’s already on thin enough ice with him. The last thing I want is for her to face more unintended consequences.
He stops me by raising a hand, that sly smile still curling his lips. “I don’t have to know. In fact, I think I like it better not knowing.”
“What?” I’m too surprised to think of what my gasp of a word might be giving away.
“You see, Faelyn…” Conri rests both his palms on my knees and slowly slides them up my thighs. He pushes open my legs, placing himself between them as he shifts and leans forward. “It has been years since I last could enjoy the chase of a woman. Years. It’s all well and good to have people throwing themselves at you. But it grows…dull.” His lips split into a smirk, teeth shining. “I am a predator by nature; the hunt is in my blood.”
His chest presses against mine. It compresses my breath. My head spins with his proximity. Every breath I take is on his exhale. The world has become so very small.
“So continue resisting me. Let me work for you. Let me show you how deep my desire runs. Make me ache for you—yearn for you. Show me your ferocity and watch how hard it makes me. It’ll make the taste when I finally do have you that much sweeter.” His lips almost brush against mine as he speaks. But he doesn’t kiss me. The quivering of my lower lip nearly leads ours to touch. But still, he doesn’t close the gap. Instead, with another low noise of amusement, Conri pulls away and stands. He goes to the lantern, snuffing it for the night as though this is just another evening…as if he hasn’t found out the truth of my protest.
“What if I never want you?” I whisper into the darkness that comes crashing down around me.
“You will.” He shifts around me, situating himself behind me in the cot and pulling me down with him. “They all do, in the end.”
“I might never,” I insist, instantly wishing I said “will” and not “might.” How is it that I already sound weaker than I intended?
