And gods, he couldn’t read her because her features remained impassive. She didn’t shift on her feet or fidget. She didn’t do a godsdamn thing. Twin flames had the easier path, being able to feel each other’s emotions and hear one another’s thoughts. This was raw and real and godsdamn difficult.
He cleared his throat softly, letting his hand fall back to his side. “Did you retrieve all your arrowheads?”
“No,” she answered.
“Aside from the one I have,” he amended.
“The others collected them and returned them. Because they are mine. But you no longer have my arrow. You used it,” she accused.
“I did,” he confirmed. “To defend a member of the castle staff weeks ago and again tonight to defend those in my care. I will not apologize for it.”
“And now you have done the noble thing twice and can return it,” she insisted, a hint of pleading coming through in her words that he was surprised to hear.
“Not until the union is anointed,” he said simply.
“What will that matter?” she demanded.
“Keep your voice down. We are not alone,” he hissed, glancing around to where the others were busy tearing down the campsite. It didn’t mean they weren’t listening though.
With a flick of his wrist, darkness pooled, a hazy dome of thick black fog encircling them and keeping their words only for their ears. Her gaze slid over the magic, and for a moment, he thought she was going to lift a hand to touch it. Her arm twitched, fingers flexing, and then she stilled once more.
Returning her stare to his, she said, “What does the union matter? Truly?”
“You won’t be able to leave once it’s anointed.”
“You think a union will keep me from disappearing? Did you forget we have a Bargain? I do not wish to be cursed as you are.”
“First, let me be very clear. If you disappear, I will find you, tiny fiend,” he said, his tone becoming as dark as the power surrounding them. “There is nowhere you can go in this kingdom that I would not find you.”
Her smile was serpentine, and her tone just as vicious when she said, “I came from across the sea, king. You think I can’t find my way back? How will you follow then?”
His mouth thinned, and he knew his power now drifted in his glowing silver irises. “You just said yourself you do not wish to be cursed.”
“Perhaps that curse will be more tolerable than the one I’m currently facing.”
“Outside of forcing your hand in the agreement, I have been nothing but kind to you on all accounts, Kailia,” he said, his patience hanging on by its last thread. “How can you possibly have such vitriol for me when you don’t even know me?”
“I know enough,” she said simply, pushing past him to mount her horse. Looking down at him, she added, “Your reputation precedes you.”
Then she was urging her horse forward, making her way to Wren and Razik as he pulled his power back.
How could he have any reputation across the sea? The Wards had been in place for centuries. He’d never stepped foot outside the Avonleyan borders. If she considered him cursed for that, she was going to find herself in the same torment.
Because he wasn’t about to let her go back across the sea. If anything, last night had proven how much they needed her to protect the people of this kingdom.
She’d come to accept her fate, even if he had to bend fate to his will yet again.
“We need to talk.”
Cethin looked up from his midday meal to find Razik standing over him. Setting the tin plate of food aside, he stood, not liking that he was having to look up at the male.
“What?” Cethin asked sharply.
“Do you still have that arrowhead of hers?”
“It’s not your business, Greybane,” Cethin said, starting to turn away, but Razik gripped his shoulder, spinning him back.
“Do you understand she is the one real defense we have against these things?”
