Well-wishers circled, offering congratulations, praise, blessings.
The bond stirred again every inch of space between Wolfe and me suddenly unbearable.
We stood with the Bloodsworn and two older Fae females who spoke fondly about Wolfe’s parents.
They offered me so much praise and seemed to genuinely like me, but I couldn’t focus.
I needed air.
Or rather distance.
This thing—the bond—seemed to be more tolerable when I was away from Wolfe, not near him. At least that was what I’d assumed, judging from the fact that I was okay before I arrived at the palace.
I tugged on Wolfe’s arm. “I’m just going outside. For a few minutes.”
Wolfe’s eyes sharpened instantly. He knew. He knew why I had to go. “I’ll go with you.”
“No. I’ll be fine. I just need air.”
He thought for a moment then nodded. “Alright, don’t go too far.”
I nodded and excused myself from the group.
The bond tugged once more as I slipped from Wolfe’s grasp and turned toward the doors.
His eyes followed me but I dare not look back.
People bowed as I went by. I barely managed to smile at them as I went by.
Finally, I made it outside and dragged in a deep, deep breath of the cool night air. But it wasn’t enough to appease the ache that was now ploughing through my chest.
I decided I needed more distance so I made my way through the garden.
My pace quickened and I didn’t stop until the music had dulled behind me.
The gardens stretched wide beneath the night sky, silvered by moonlight and the gentle glow of lantern. Gravel crunched beneath my shoes as I veered from the main path.
At the far edge of the grounds stood a small stone folly, beneath a cluster of cypress trees. It rose from the manicured hedges, its arched entrance framed in climbing ivy. The roof curved in a shallow dome, with its pale stone walls catching the light.
This was perfect. Exactly what I needed.
I stepped beneath the arch and savored the cooler air.
I pressed my palms to the smooth stone and drew in a slow breath. Then another.
The deep breathing steadied the spinning in my head, and even eased the heat beneath my skin but it did nothing to quell the restlessness of the bond’s pull in my mind and body.
I closed my eyes and continued breathing.
Just then, shadows stirred beside me.
Not the gentle shift of night.
A gathering. A folding in the air.
I straightened as the darkness thickened, twisting in on itself before unraveling in a rush.
Wolfe stepped from it as though the night itself had shaped him.
