Hard.
I stumbled back, more from surprise than force. She was strong for a human, but not strong enough to move me if I'd been braced for it.
Her knife appeared in her hand. The movement was smooth, practiced, the blade suddenly between us like it had materialized from air. Her stance shifted, weight balanced, ready to fight or flee.
I should be angry. Threatened. Instead, approval surged through me.
She was magnificent.
"Be careful,kyvara," I said, the endearment slipping out before I could stop it. "Or I could take that as a threat."
Her eyes narrowed. "What did you call me?"
I didn't answer. Couldn't. The word had escaped without permission, pulled from some deep part of me that recognized her as mine regardless of whether she knew it.
She kept the knife between us, her grip steady. "Answer me."
"It's nothing."
"Bullshit. What does it mean?" Confusion warred with suspicion. "Why would you call me that?"
Because you're my mate. Because I've been half-mad with wanting you since the moment I caught your scent. Because every instinct I possess is screaming at me to claim you, protect you, keep you safe even when you're determined to throw yourself into danger.
I said none of those things.
"Does it matter?"
She studied me, her gaze searching. Looking for answers I couldn't give. The knife didn't waver.
Silence stretched between us. The desert wind carried scents of heat and sand through the opening behind her. Somewhere in the distance, a night predator screamed. The sound echoed off the rocks, a reminder of everything waiting beyond the relative safety of Scalvaris.
"Are you going to stop me?" she asked finally.
The question hung in the air.
I could. Should. I was bigger, stronger, faster. I could disarm her, carry her back to her quarters, lock her in if necessary. It would be easy.
It would also destroy whatever fragile thing existed between us.
And it wouldn't change the fundamental problem. The missing humans were still out there. The Council had still voted to abandon them. Lexa was still desperate enough to risk her life trying to find them.
Stopping her now would only delay the inevitable. She'd try again. And again. Until she succeeded in getting herself killed or I ran out of ways to prevent it.
The bond wouldn't let me leave her unprotected. If she was going into danger, I would be there. Not to stop her. To ensure she survived it.
The decision crystallized with sudden clarity.
"I'm coming with you."
6
LEXA
I stoodbeneath the sky vent, pack strapped tight across my shoulders, weapons checked for the third time in as many minutes. My fingers found the knife at my belt, traced the familiar grip, released it. Found it again.
Restless energy crawled under my skin.
I was early. Patience had been impossible after Nyx's declaration an hour ago, my mind churning through scenarios and contingencies and the simple, unavoidable fact that I was about to spend days alone with him in the wilderness.
