As we lead the horses away from Duskridge Hollow, I can’t help but glance back at the trader’s pocket where my cuff disappeared. A part of me feels like I’ve left a piece of myself behind.
“It’s only silver,” I lie to myself as we walk away.
The farther we walk the horses away from the settlement to regroup and plan for our first journey together, the more the shadows of the Frael Forest encroach. Its jagged canopy weaves a tangled web of darkness, cutting the sunlight to threads. A cold mist seeps from its depths, a sharp contrast to the blisteringsummer heat that clings to the outside world. The eerie calls of unseen creatures echo from within, each sound a reminder of what awaits us.
The oppressive silence is broken by Ronyn’s familiar voice. “So, shall we address the obvious problem here? Has anyone thought about how exactly we’re getting five people on three horses?”
I sigh heavily.Yes, obviously.
“No,” I snap, my tone short.
Kael’s lips twitch into a smirk, his expression thick with mischief. “You’re a terrible liar, Lightborne.”
Before I can retort, Therion cuts in, his voice as sharp and unyielding as ever. “I ride alone.”
His tone leaves no room for discussion, not that anyone would particularly enjoy sharing a horse with the grumpy bastard, anyway.
“I’ll ride with Seren,” I say quickly, trying to defuse the tension.
But Ronyn, ever the thorn in my side, crosses his arms indignantly. “There’s no fucking way I’ll be sharing a horse with one of these beasts, thank you very much. And Seren’s not going anywhere near them, either.”
For the love of all the Stars in the sky. I would never let Seren ride with either of these men, both of whom look like they could kill someone with a single glance.
“Kael and Therion can share. I’ll ride alone,” I offer, though I already know how this is going to end.
“NO,” the two men bark in unison, their voices firm and resolute.
“You’re with me, Duskae,” Kael purrs, his voice like velvet and smoke. His gaze pins me, heavy with meaning. “There’s no way you’re leaving my sight—I’ve waited years for you.”
Something in his tone—a promise, a warning, or maybe both—makes my pulse race. His words are layered, and I crave to unravel them, to push and prod until I understand. But I swallow the urge and settle for incredulity. “Duskae?” I snap.
Therion’s eyes dart to Kael in shock. His mouth presses into a thin line, and he shakes his head, as if in disbelief.
“Duskae,” he echoes. “Suits you,” he says, but doesn’t elaborate.
I grunt in frustration. Every answer this man gives me only creates more questions.
“I’ll make it entertaining,” Kael promises, a teasing lilt in his voice as the corner of his mouth quirks upward.
“Let’s just get it over with,” I mutter, unable to hide my exasperation. The amusement on Kael’s face deepens, but there’s something else there too—a warmth in his gaze that sends heat spiraling through my chest. The way he looks at me is unnerving, as if he sees something no one else does.
The word pulses through my mind like a drumbeat.
Duskae.
Duskae.
Duskae.
I don’t know why, but something about it feels familiar, warm, despite his teasing tone.
Duskae.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Kael swingsonto the russet mare with a grace that borders on terrifying. His movements are fluid, effortless, like the horse is an extension of him. He reaches a hand down to me, his expression softening into something unexpectedly sincere.
I hesitate. The loss of my mother’s cuff still weighs heavily, and nowthis—a forced closeness that feels too intimate, too exposing.
