“I’m sure.”
“How can you tell?”
“Because I’m cold, hungry, and my wrists are rubbing raw from these restraints. I’d be pretty pissed if I’m a hallucination in this much discomfort.”
“Good point.” I move positions, trying to ease the ache in my back. “Was I lucid the entire time you’ve been here?”
She hesitates. “No. You seemed to be babbling to yourself for a while before finally speaking to me. But time’s hard to track in here.”
I hear her picking at the rocks around our hole, and I desperately wish she’d slip her hand through once again.
I curl my hands into fists, holding tight.No. Don’t become dependent on someone who’s likely to be ripped away.
“If you found this place and they still have the person you were looking for, why are they keeping you alive?”
I snort. “Good question. As far as I can tell, they keep me here because I know the location of someone they want.”
“Ah.”
I nod, knowing she can’t see me. “I shared mine, is it time for you to share yours?”
“Share what exactly?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. Anything. I’ve been alone for months. Any talk that doesn’t involve torture is welcome.”
She chuckles. “Fine. I’m useless at fishing.”
I perk up. “Are you terrible at hunting too?”
“No, just fishing. I don’t have the patience for waiting.”
“Ah, so you’re a live wire. You are a redhead, aren’t you?”
“None of your business.”
“Fair enough. But for the record, whatever color your hair is, I’m glad you’re here.”
“Glad I’m imprisoned and probably going to die?”
“Glad I’m not alone.”
She’s quiet for a long moment. Then, so softly I almost miss it. “Yeah. Me too.”
I close my eyes, suddenly exhausted but more alive than I’ve felt in months. “Goodnight, Lithia of Shadowmist.”
“Goodnight, Kier of this prison.”
I smile, listening to her breathing gradually slow and deepen as she drifts into sleep. The sound is comforting in a way I can’t fully articulate.
I press my palm against the wall that separates us, imagining I can feel her warmth through the stone.
Lithia.
You feel that?I ask my wolf, barely breathing.
Mate,is his answer.
His confirmation hits me like a physical blow. I lean my head back against the stone, my chest tight with an emotion so powerful it threatens to crush me.
