Aster’s lips pull back, revealing razor-sharp canines, and Nana tilts her head, exposing her neck to him. With a firm hold on his messy waves, she pulls his head down toward her neck.
“Impatient, are we?” Aster says, his voice rough.
I frown. What are they doing?
My breath catches when she yanks his mouth toward her exposed neck and he...bites? It should make me feel disgusted, but watching him drink from her, I’m anything but.
Mine.
The thought slams into me so hard I wake with a jolt. My eyes flash open, my body burning, the cool night air failing to quell the unfamiliar desire within my lower abdomen. Letting my hands slide along the insides of my thighs the same way Aster did to the woman in the dream, I gasp as my fingers flutter over the core of my desire.
I pause. This is so wrong. Sexual intimacy should be for procreation alone, never for pleasure. As a property, I know that better than most. I was oath-bound not to pleasure myself. Those kinds of touches were restricted for a master.
But you are not in Bronich anymore, Laïna. You are your own master now. You can do whatever you want.
I blink up at the twinkling soul stars, and then, before I can think better of it, I let my fingers explore the throbbing area between mythighs. It’s slick and wet in a way I didn’t know possible. A soft moan escapes my lips when I find an especially sensitive spot. I close my eyes and stroke it with a slow, circular movement that makes my breath come out in shallow gasps, and my body arches with pleasure. The vivid scene of the dream replays in my mind, and as I becomeher, I’m overwhelmed by the fiery passion and intimate connection with Aster, causing a longing so intense that it momentarily steals my breath. Biting down on the neck of my lover, drinking deep, a scream pushes past my lips as stars explode, my body trembling with the intense wave of pleasure.
My breath coming out in ragged gasps, I collapse, feeling more alone than ever.
STILL HALF ASLEEP, I SQUINT at the unfamiliar light in the sky. Whatever it is, its warm rays feel delightful on my skin. I lie on my back, and a blissful wave washes over me as I bask in the heat. It seems Rea is not so bad after all. I stretch my arms above my head lazily and push myself into a seated position, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes.
Glancing down at my naked body, my cheeks heat as the memory of the night’s passion surfaces. The dream seemed so...real.My skin tingles as a wave of lust washes over me at the memories. There’s that same ache pulsating deep in my lower abdomen. Where do these sensations come from?
Shaking my head, I rid myself of the too-vivid memories. This is not the time to upset the Father with inappropriate behavior. I need every grace I can get if I’m to survive this journey.
I wade into the icy river, the shock a welcome contrast to the warmth of the golden rays. Lying down in the water, I allow it to cool my heated body. Who were they? The dream felt so real, and that man... Aster. The fire flares back upfull force.
Forget about him, Laïna. Focus. He’s a character from a dream, for Father’s sake.Besides, even if he is real, he belongs with her. I plunge my head underwater, pushing his smile firmly out of my head.
The water is shallow here, and the rough white water is gone, so I’m not scared. I blow out a breath of air, causing bubbles to emerge, letting myself sink to the sandy bottom, then sit up with a splash. What am I thinking? I need to get moving, not lie around here all day until Llyr has time to catch up with me. The river carried me far, but there’s no need to take unnecessary chances.
Wading toward the muddy riverbank, I step out of the water, my skin glistening wet. I pause to catch my breath, scanning the area for any sign of movement or danger.
My eyes widen at the sight of massive paw prints on the muddy riverbank. Wolves. Or a lone wolf, by the looks of it. Why didn’t I notice them before? I really need to start paying better attention to my surroundings if I’m to survive. I shake my head at my own foolishness and kneel in front of one of the paw prints, placing my hand on top. It’s close to the size of my hand. I scan my surroundings. I’ve cheated death one too many times these last couple days. The odds are not in my favor.
Pulling my clothes back on, I eat a handful of the berries growing along the river for breakfast. With everything else so vastly different, I’m happy there’s at least one thing that is familiar. Feeling a lot better than I have in a long time, I decide to follow the river south. If there are any settlements, they’re probably by the river, and I need to find somewhere to make a living. I have a handful of iron pennies, but that won’t last long. Meanwhile, I’ll set out snares and forage, I decide.
A slow smile spreads across my face. For the first time in my life, I can go wherever I want. For a moment, the unbelievable sensation of freedom overshadows the anger and sadness caused by Llyr’s betrayal.
You are free, Laïna. Free.I rub the spot where my brace used to be. I almost can’t believe it. The only conclusion I can come to is that Llyr must have been the one to place the brace on me in the first place.How else could he have had the power to remove it? Master Coperie held the mother piece, true, but that doesn’t mean he was the one to put it on, and there are only two ways to remove a brace: either you hold the mother piece, or you’re the one who initially placed the brace. I'd give anything to remember that fatal day, but it's a black hole in my memory—and not the kind trauma leaves behind. This is different. As if removed with surgical precision. I remember everything else from that time, but the bracing itself? Nothing.
What I still don’t understand is what caused Llyr to live in Bronich all these years. What motivations did he have when he knewthisexisted? And what were his plans forme? I groan. Father willing, I’ll never find out.
chapter nine
DETERMINED TO GET AS FAR away from Llyr as possible, I walk almost continuously for close to three weeks, with no notable incidents. I frequently catch what I believe must be some type of hare in one of my snares. At least it resembles a hare. Except it has small wings, like an owl. I often see them in the forest in the evenings, dancing together in the clearings or hopping from tree to tree right before the golden light disappears. It tastes all right. Many wild plants, mushrooms, and berries grow along the river, most of them familiar, so I have yet to experience hunger. And with the days warm and dry and the nights only slightly cooler, it makes for easy travel.
Today is particularly warm, and around noon, the scorching heat compels me to take a break. Yesterday, the mountain range ended, and now the river flows lazily through a vibrant green forest on both sides. It’s so peaceful here, the melodic song of the birds accompanied by the faint rustle of leaves and the calming sound of running water.
I scoop a couple handfuls of the crystal clear river into my mouth. How much farther will it be before I reach a settlement? I don’t mind being alone. Far from it. In truth, I prefer it. But the seasons in this land are still unknown, and I don’t want to be caught off guard in the wilderness.
Lying down on my back by the river, I gaze up at the sky. It’s painted in a delicate shade of pale blue with wispy white dots drifting by, moving at a languid pace, a delicious contrast to Bronich’s perpetually gray skies. This place is alive. And not just with wildlife. No,everythingis alive. It’s as if nature itself has a pulse.
Placing a hand on top of my chest, I tap my fingers to the steady beat of the land, and it doesn’t take long before my heart follows suit, beating to the same tune. I sigh. The dull ache that always accompanies me is still there—not gone, as I hoped it’d be once I had my freedom. Even now, a gaping hole yawns inside me, a raw, painful emptiness that refuses to heal.
Lost in my own dark thoughts, I don’t hear the men approach until a twig snaps behind me and I freeze, cursing myself for not paying better attention. A shadow falls across my face.
“What we got here?” The menacing voice makes my blood run cold. “Looks like we’ve stumbled upon some fresh prey.”
