Finally, he took the knife from her. In one quick motion, he sliced his forearm open, and blood of shadows dripped down his arm like ink from a pen. “Do not focus on the blood, or else our magic will fight each other. Focus on the wound and picture it healing.”
She tried to look past his blood, but she must have taken too long because the wound healed on its own. He ran the knife along his skin again, and blood began to flow. Quickly, she mentally mapped out the steps she needed to take to mend the injury. In her mind’s eye, she pictured the practical details of sewing his skin back together. Her hands warmed, her magic tingling as it pooled along her fingertips. Glowing now, she held them an inch or so above his arm and released her power, directing it all to his injury. Light poured from her and, with it, her strength, but she wasn’t done yet. Breathing heavily, she worked her magic, holding on to it like one would a needle and thread, weaving it along the tissue of his skin until the wound was fully sealed. When it was done, she slumped to the ground, gasping for air, utterly spent.
Damien was by her side in an instant. Cursing the skies, he pulled her into his arms, holding her against his chest as if she were something dear to him. “We shouldn’t have done that.”
Faintly, she looked up, losing herself in the depth of the forest concealed in his eyes. A weak smile tugged at the corners of her lips. His constant concern for her well-being was endearing, but he must have known—just as she did—that she needed to push herself. “It’s not like I would have let you say no to me.”
He let out a long exhale; a silent admission that he knew she was right. He ran his fingertips along her jaw, his features softening. The touch was comforting, and she leaned into it.
“I know I pull away but . . .” His voice was quiet, as if he was struggling to find the words for what he was about to reveal. “I don’t think I possess the ability to deny you anything.” He bit the edge of his bottom lip, and she wished he was biting hers instead. “I’d probably give you the moon itself if you asked for it.”
Luna’s breath hitched. One moment, he kept her at arm’s length, and the next, he offered her impossible things, breaking down every wall she’d tried to rebuild. She studied him, wary yet unable to ignore the quiet sincerity in his gaze.
Before she could respond—perhaps fearing what she’d say—he groaned and turned his attention to the stick she’d been sharpening. “Let’s save spearing fish for another day,” he murmured lightly, tossing it aside. Without pause, he moved to the fire, flipping over the fish he’d placed there earlier to cook.
Was he aware of the spell he was putting her under? Perhaps he was fully aware and simply desired to tease her to madness.
When the fish were thoroughly cooked, Damien removed them from the fire and passed one to Luna, along with some bread from their supplies. “We’re making good time. We should be in Kalt Ravine in the next couple of days or so.”
Hm.Apparently they were going back to chatting like a couple of pals. Fine with her. She could bury the electrifying sensation crawling along her skin that made her want to throw herself at him and kiss him until she was completely out of breath, and then kiss him some more.Yeah, that shouldn’t be too hard to do.
She reached down and grabbed the vine pendant necklace Damien had given her after she was done eating, admiring the metalwork. Her mother’s ring had small stones embedded throughout the vine, with more details in the metalwork compared to the pendant—but still, she loved it. It was the first thing Damien had given her, just because. Though she didn’t know exactly what his feelings for her were, the necklace proved he cared for her on some level.
“They say vines are a symbol of strength,” Damien said between bites of his fish. “No matter where you plant a vine, it’ll always reach for new heights.”
“I like that.” She flexed her fingers. “The vine shape reminds me of my mother’s ring.”
Damien nodded. “They do look similar, except the necklace is cheap metal, and the gems on your ring are actually glass that contains fairy magic.”
“Oh really?” She lifted her hand closer to her face to inspect the gems. Small swirls slowly spiraled inside, confirming what Damien had said. She sighed, returning her hand to her lap. “I wish I had the chance to have an actual conversation with her.”
“You still could.”
Her gaze narrowed on him. “What do you mean?”Nina’sdead.Luna had watched her pierce her own heart at the protection ceremony. No one could survive that, could they?
Damien rubbed the back of his neck, looking sheepish. “Did I not mention she’s recovering near Winta and Felix’s?”
“No,” Luna said flatly, her jaw dropping, “you hadn’t.”
Anger surged like a tempest within her, swirling with hurt. How could he keep such a monumental thing from her? Reeling with disbelief, Luna had an overwhelming urge to smack him; not that it would do anything.
But the thought of being reunited with Nina—something Luna thought impossible—warmed her heart, softening her anger, replacing it with hope.
She’d finally have answers for all the questions she had about her birth mother . . . and maybe, just maybe, they could even have some sort of mother-daughter relationship. Of course, it wouldn’t replace the familythat she left behind, but knowing she had someone who she could call family made her feel . . .
The smile that had crept across her face disappeared. How did it make her feel? She’d forever mourn losing her adoptive family. The gaping hole in her heart was not going to disappear, regardless of whether she managed to have some kind of relationship with Nina—though perhaps it would stop hurting so bad.
Luna looked backwards at Damien, only to find him watching her; his green eyes devoured every emotion that played across her face. When their gazes met, his mouth opened and then shut, like he wanted to say something.
He drew in a breath, sucking in courage. When he spoke, his voice was rough, like the words were difficult for him to say out loud. “During the protection ceremony, we tried to rescue you both from the humans—but, as you know, that failed horribly. However, Marion and Corey were successful in getting Nina a safe distance from the king and his men. Once she was healed enough to travel, they went ahead and took her to Winta and Felix’s while Gregory and I stayed behind to free you.”
Luna thought back to the protection ceremony. She’d assumed Nina had died; clearly, she’d been wrong. She hadn’t questioned Damien’s decision to go to Winta and Felix, but now it all made sense—he had wished to reunite them. She leaned against him and whispered, “Thank you for rescuing us both.”
Damien’s body went rigid against hers. “Please don’t thank me.”
Twisting her body to get a better look at him, she asked, “What aren’t you telling me?”
He sighed and stretched his legs out long in front of him. Luna gulped, bracing herself for the answer that required him to get comfortable first. “I worry that Nina will only be a disappointment. She has quite the”—he scratched the back of his head—“reputation.I don’t know all the details, but long story short, she didn’t leave Eloria of her own fruition. The Darkened One exiled her.”
