“Hey,” Eyden replied. He looked around the room, trying to hide his discomfort. It was the first time the two of them were alone.
Amira rose from her bed. “Let me grab my cloak.” Turning her back to him, she picked up the cloak that was hanging on the back of her chair.
Eyden’s voice startled her. “I’ve been meaning to apologise to you.”
Amira wrapped the fabric around herself, a bit confused about where this conversation was leading. “Apologise for what?” She turned back to him.
He shuffled on his feet. “For giving you fortae. I took advantage of your addiction for my interest.”
“It’s all right, I get why you did it.” She could see he had a kind soul, just like his sister. “And you weren’t the one that got me hooked on fortae. If I remember correctly, you crushed most of the pills you gave me. I’m guessing that was on purpose.” She walked up to him.
Eyden gave her a half-smile. “Maybe. I’m glad El met you.”
Amira’s cheeks flushed. “So am I.” She extended her hand. “Shall we go?”
He took her hand. In a matter of seconds, the whole room disappeared as the wind seemed to pick her up, pushing her forward. For a second, there was only darkness. And then she saw Elyssa’s smile and felt the night air brushing against her skin.
“Hey there, princess,” Elyssa said with a large grin.
Amira’s heart sped up. The sight of Elyssa always troubled her, but in a good way. “Hey,” she replied, a bit out of breath.
“I’ll come pick her up in a few hours,” Eyden said, already ready to leave.
“Thanks,” Elyssa said, her gaze stuck on Amira. “You’re dismissed, Eyden,” she teased.
Eyden hid his grin as he disappeared in front of their eyes.
Facing Amira, Elyssa asked, “How are you feeling?”
“Like everything is going to collapse any minute,” Amira said in one breath. She thought about telling Elyssa about Wryen’s reappearance or his threat to her mother, but she knew there was nothing they could do about it tonight. Elyssa had enough to worry about. They would deal with it after their victory against Karwyn. Tonight, Amira needed tolive.Who knew what tomorrow would bring.
Elyssa’s hand gently caressed Amira’s cheek. “You’ve gotta have faith. We’ve come too goddamn far to lose.”
Amira let her face rest on Elyssa’s hand. She found solace in the touch. “I wish I had your optimism. Life has told me that nothing ever goes well for me.”
“Fuck what life says. We’re forging our own way. Look at us. Life hadn’t planned for us, yet here we are, together.”
Elyssa leaned in, her eyes locked on Amira’s. She responded to Elyssa’s silent question by kissing her. Elyssa’s lips were softer than silk. Deepening the kiss, Amira grabbed Elyssa by the waist, her hands feeling the shape of Elyssa’s muscular back. Feeling bold, Amira slightly bit Elyssa’s lower lip, drawing a sharp cry of surprise from her. Elyssa pulled back, a striking grin on her face.
“Come on, I want to show you my tent.” Elyssa grabbed Amira’s hand and led her through the woods. She stopped in front of what looked like a regular clearing with only trees in sight and whispered a few words. Suddenly, Amira saw a village of tents appear in front of her.
Her eyes widened as they made their way to the camp. A few humans were still lingering outside, talking in groups, eating around the large bonfire, or sharpening their weapons. They gave them questioning looks, probably wondering who Amira was.
But no one came looking for trouble. No one except a short man with unkempt brown hair. Across the fire, the man gave them a dirty look. Elyssa noticed him, and her face immediately hardened.
“That dickhead is Jaspen, the leader of the group.”
Amira could hear the hatred in Elyssa’s voice. She didn’t need to know more to immediately dislike the man. They kept walking and brushed past him. Seeing him up close, Amira had a strange déjà vu feeling. His hateful eyes chilled her skin.
“Who’s this now? Another one of your fae friends? Are you trying to make it even easier for fae to infiltrate the camp?” Jaspen asked, contempt lacing his voice. “Soon enough, they’ll all see that I was right. That you are our doom.”
“Watch it, Jaspen,” Elyssa spat out. “She’s a witch, and she and I have been more useful to our cause than you’ll ever be.”
Without letting him reply, Elyssa grabbed Amira’s hand and led her away. As they walked away, Amira turned back, trying to understand why Jaspen had felt familiar. “I have the feeling I’ve met him before,” she whispered in Elyssa’s ear.
Elyssa furrowed her brows. “You’ve met your share of assholes, maybe that’s why.”
“Possibly,” Amira said, still doubtful.
