Themorningsunlightwasblinding, gilding the camp in its golden touch as Dominic stepped out onto his balcony, a new sense of determination fueling him. Through the branches and leaves and woven paths in the midst of the trees, Dominic saw figures seated on a wooden platform, playing cards spread in their palms and coins scattered in the middle of them.
Evreux was one of them. Dominic noted the bandage wrapped around his bicep, the small cuts visible on the profile of his face, but other than that, it seemed the creatures of the island had taken it easy on him. The newcomer reached out a hand,tangling his fingers in the thin golden threads of light that dangled from a large red mushroom sprouting from a tree limb. Despite himself, Dominic almost smiled at the awe on Evreux’s face. It was always so intriguing to see how they reacted to the magical elements sprouting within their home after surviving the mutants that prowled Andreilia.
Vesper’s white hair gleamed in the glow of lanterns hanging on the trunks that illuminated the shadows cast from the foliage. Evreux stiffened as he approached, presumably remembering Vesper was one who argued against letting him stay. But Vesper merely clapped him on the shoulder and said, “Don’t take it personal. We’re all just doing what we can to keep everyone safe.”
Evreux relaxed and shifted to the left, giving Vesper room to sit between him and Adara to join their game.
Tiny tree frogs that emitted a purple glow as they hopped along the bark limned the group with ethereal wonder. One landed on Zephyr’s outstretched finger, who hung upside down from a branch above, watching the group playing cards. Adara’s silky brown hair shifted as she peered up at Zephyr with a gentle smile. She sent a little flaming butterfly his way, and his brown eyes filled with awe as it landed on his nose but did not burn. She turned her attention back to the game as Evreux displayed his hand for the rest of them to see. Asher stared down at the cards in disbelief.
“No way!” Caleb shouted, throwing his cards into the pile in the middle. “You cheated!”
Evreux pressed a hand to his chest, feigning offense. “How dare you accuse me of such a thing?” His lips cracked into a knowing smile.
Adara’s calculating gaze turned to him, eyes glancing between him and their cards now tossed haphazardly between them. Acunning smile emerged on her face. “You rigged the deck,” she said, less accusatory and more proud than anything.
Evreux’s shoulders shook with a chuckle as he collected his winnings.
Dominic rolled his eyes. He hated to admit it, but Adara was right after all. Evreux was harmless, and his slyness could be useful.
Tobias climbed the stairs to join them, giving Caleb a peck on the cheek as he sat down. The latter’s face flushed red against his pale skin.
Dominic started toward them, crossing a bridge suspended between two huts and walking over a thick branch until he hopped down onto the platform on which they sat. All eyes turned to him, and he almost laughed at the fear radiating from Evreux.
“Done trying to kill me, Nite?” Adara mused, shuffling the deck with nonchalance.
He smirked. “Not quite. We still have a war of hearts to finish,” he said, extending a hand to her. “And a Realm Fracturer to forge.”
Emotion flitted across her irises, lighting with newfound hope.
Despite the revelation about the dragon scale and shadow steel, Dominic wasn’t giving up. Perhaps theycouldfind the relics in Malryn, or maybe they’d find a way to break the damn spell hiding Blemythia from the rest of the world and get the relics from there. Then Adara would be home and would have no need for the Fracturing Sword, and they wouldn’t have to battle for who would get to use it.
Sparks shot through his fingers as Adara’s hand, surprisingly, clasped his. He pulled her to her feet, his strength returning with this new fervor to win her heart and forge the most powerful weapon in the world.
Their hands lingered together for a moment, her touch a warm comfort. Ice returned to his skin as she awkwardly pulled away. “Where to now?” she finally asked.
“Malryn,” he said. “Time to find the ashes of the Ruins.”
Mud squished beneath their boots as they walked through the jungle, rain clinging to their clothes. The rest of the Andreilians were already on the ship, lugging supplies and travel packs on board, while Adara and Dominic remained behind, devising a plan and poring over the Realm Fracturer riddle once more to be sure they weren’t missing any details about the remaining relics. Once again, they dared to sail across the Plagued Sea to dock in Lykrios.
“I told you he’d survive,” Adara said, turning to walk backwards so she could face him with a cocky smirk.
“You got lucky,” Dominic grumbled. “I’m still not sure he won’t try to kill us in our sleep.” The boy seemed useless in terms of combat, but Dominic simply didn’t want to admit that Adara was right.
She breathed a laugh. “Oh, come on, he’s harmless,” she replied. “Niran or Silas could beat him in a fight.”
“You’re a fool for being so trusting with a stranger.” Dominic couldn’t help himself. It was much too enjoyable to see the way her cheeks reddened with embarrassment or anger when he insulted her. He found it fun to banter back and forth with her, but he ultimately loved it when she would get flustered at hisimpassive reactions, irritated that she couldn’t stir up emotion from him.
Adara huffed, shaking her head and pinching the bridge of her nose. “You know what, Nite? Fuck you.”
A sharp turn and a step in the other direction was all she got before Dominic was upon her, backing her against a tree with his hands braced on either side of her face. She didn’t flinch, utterly unfazed by his sudden movement.
He needed to start playing this game right to win the key to her heart. Perhaps, if he won over her physical attraction first, that would open a doorway to new emotions. Perhaps she would like the way his eyes ran up and down her body, every curve and dip noticeable through her wet clothes flush against her skin. Although he was only toying with her, Dominic couldn’t deny the way his body reacted to her nearness. The way he ached to be closer to her. He wanted to slowly, agonizingly, peel the damp fabric away, revealing every inch of her to him.
Adara shivered, from the icy rain or the brush of his lips against the shell of her ear, he didn’t know. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” he drawled.
Her teeth dragged across her lower lip, her eyes alight with hunger beneath dark lashes. “If you wanted me against a wall, all you had to do was ask.” Her words were a quiet rasp, as if his touch affected her as much as it did him.
Dominic tensed at the challenge.
