The picture he painted only fanned the flames rising inside me.
“You wouldn’t know what to do with a willing female. Only bound ones,” I said through gritted teeth.
“Do you want to test that theory, little fugitive?” he laughed darkly. “I’m more than happy to allow it. All you need to do is ask.”
Yet as his voice rolled over the last word, I got the sense that the asking would be more like begging. I didn’t need to see my cheeks to know they were the color of a sunrise.
“Fine, give me the food then.” I snapped a hand out for whatever he was offering me, if only to get him to go away. Because we were treading dangerous territory.
Something heavy and wet settled there, and then, the Issaraeth retreated.
My nerves still buzzed like they were primed for a strike of lightning.
I brought the food into my orbit, noting a piece of rabbit dripping in some sort of oil. I hadn’t realized he’d killed our dinner, but I was too hungry to put more thought into it than that. Teeth sinking into the gamey meat, I tore it from the bones, chewing only a few times before swallowing it down.
The entirety vanished in moments, and I even licked my fingers clean. The Issaraeth’s heavy gaze neverleft me. I hated that he was a witness to my starvation. That he caused it in the first place.
I tossed the bones away and settled back against the rough bark. Crossing my arms, I stared into the fire. The warmth beckoned me closer, like a blazing trap. Each crackle a sharp invitation to warm myself. Each lick of orange hues against the dark a signal of safety.
“Sylaira.”
My name on my mate’s lips made me jump. The word in his mouth was unholy, and yet the depth of his baritone when he spoke it made me want to hear it again.
I loathed myself for that.
“You’ll take a bedroll while Ilae keeps watch.”
His tone left no room for argument. I did it anyway. “I’m fine right here.” The tremor that swept through me before I’d finished speaking exposed my lie.
“Out of my reach and in danger from a predator sneaking down the trunk of that tree? I don’t think so,” he growled.
“Death is better than being with you,” I shot back.
He scoffed, and in my periphery, his form rose to his full height. Rather than have his hands on me again, I lurched forward, my bound wrists making standing unsteady. Thank the Goddess my eyes were permanently affixed to the ground, otherwise I would have tripped over a gnarled root. I half-stumbled, half-sank onto the empty bedroll on the opposite side of the fire from the Issaraeth. I’d scarcely hit the ground before I turned my back to him.
Heat licked my backside and sank into my bones. The relief was short-lived as a gust of wind swept through our camp, my body still exposed without a blanket to cover me. But I couldn’t deny that this position was infinitely more comfortable than how I’d slept while fleeing my mate.
Shuffling around until my neck wasn’t at such anawkward angle, I finally settled—as much as one could as a captive of their enemy. Owls hoots soon filled the night, accompanied by a chorus of insects who took advantage of their prime season to live.
Too bad that would never happen for me.
Instead, I was headed to Sivy, situated in the heart of the Eso Forest. Unlike the alpine trees we found ourselves in now, snow would never reach it. From what I’d learned, it was balmy year-round, thanks to its favorable location halfway between the Skala Mountains and the vast ocean that led to the other continents.
Tears pricked the back of my nose at the thought of being held in the capital so soon. For decades, I’d been on the run. And to realize that it was all over now? Itguttedme.
One hot drop leaked out of my eye. A single concession to the despair clawing at my chest.
At least there, Heraphia and I could be together again. Even if they sent Zuriel off to the front, I would be there to hold her, to comfort her. And she could do the same to me when my visions went dark and twisted.
I almost wished the bronze cuffs would become permanently affixed to my flesh. When they did come off, I’d have to sneakily consume more virelthorn to suppress that side of my magic.
And currently, I had none.
My thoughts continued to spin and circle, much like I was executing a full Vaelaï performance solo, long into the night. And by the time morning came, my emotions were a tattered mess.
Despite the myriad of thoughts that had drowned my night, one remained prominent and pronounced: I could noteverlet our mating bond snap into place.
Three weeks. I could keep my head down that long. Then,he’d be off to hunt more Elessarum and I’d never have to see him again.
