I grin, actually feeling a sense of pride. “And all this time you thought I was a useless mortal girl.”
“I thought a lot of things about you when we first met.” He studies my face, as if trying to memorize it. “Turns out I’ve been wrong about a lot of it so far.”
Our eyes connect again, and a buzz charges between us that feels tangible. For a fleeting second, it’s just me and him.
No running.
No fighting.
No danger.
Just two unique, beating hearts in one room.
I linger by the door. “I expect to hear more about Koa,” I tell him, instead of focusing too much on how I feel in this moment.
He presses his lips together, contemplating it. “Sure, sweet one. Later.”
“Okay.” I blush at the nickname. I try to dismiss it—pretending his words haven’t just twisted me into tender little knots or that my heart isn’t pounding with excitement—but I can’t stop the smile from spreading across my face.
I’m feeling things for him.
Things I never expected.
Chapter 35
“I’m afraid I won’t be making it to the shores with you, my friends.” Kelrean sits with a quilt around his shoulders in front of a gentle fire.
The group’s healing time takes much longer than we anticipated. The sun is setting now, dipped halfway under the horizon. The sight of it increases my anxiety. If we don’t get moving soon, we’ll lose daylight.
Everyone from our crew is now seated around a firepit. Thane is better, but still a little sore, and Rynthea’s arm has recovered completely from the healing elixirs.
Kelrean, on the other hand, needs more time before he can go anywhere, even back home. Apparently, the stab wound through his ribs and shapeshifting took a toll on his body.
“You should rest,friend. Looks like you need it.” Thane’s eyes catch the flames as he points his attention to Kelrean.
“You will learn to like me one day, broody sorcerer.” Kelrean flashes a smug grin at him before looking at Rynthea. “You really don’t plan on continuing the journey?”
“Not without my scythesword,” she says. Then she smirks. “Unless you let me borrow your ax.”
“Absolutely fuckingnot!” Kelrean shouts, then he winces and clutches his ribs.
“You don’t even need it right now,” she retorts.
“That doesn’t matter! I had that ax handmade with alvanite and the finest steel in Thelanor. I’m the only one who has the honor and privilege to wield it. If I let you borrow it, you’ll hold that over my head, too.”
Rynthea scoffs and then bites into an apple.
Queen Xiaodera and King Jehon approach with three elementalists flanking them. My eyes stretch with surprise when I spot Rynthea’s scythesword in Jehon’s massive, inked hand.
“Rynthea…” I tap her arm.
She peers up from the fire. Then she gasps. She sounds so innocent, like a child who’s found their lost toy.
“My scythesword,” she says in awe as she stands and marches around the fire with heavy steps. “Where did you find it?” Her eyes sparkle as Jehon hands it to her.
“Washed up on the banks at the bottom of the waterfall while some of the tribe were fishing,” he answers.
Rynthea inspects the blade, running her fingers over the thick handle. “Hardly a scratch.” She looks at the king and queen. “Thank you.”
