Licking his maw, Pablo fell under my hand. I huffed out a breath, giving Matthias a glance over my shoulder and left his chambers, a damn sight cooler than I’d entered them.
CHAPTER 29
They say I’m the most powerful Deviant in a lifetime. They all came seeking my gifts: kings, queens, the rich, those powerful souls lurking in the shadows, tugging on strings and swaying opinions. All to no avail as my purpose had already chosen me. I vowed no emerging Anomaly would ever suffer the devastation of the blight. I’ve failed twice. It will never happen a third time.
— FOREWORD FOR MRS GLESNI GRACE’S ADVICE FOR MENTORS: THIRDEDITION
‘Why do I feel like I’ve been here before?’ Asher asked, a wide smile on his face as I glared at Matthias.
‘Because we have,’ he said, rubbing his temples. ‘I won that time too.’
As he shielded his red eyes from the rising sun, I surmised he was suffering a crippling hangover. Good. After I’d spent the night alone, my fists clenched, listening to the constant tick fucking tock of a clock, I didn’t want the man near me. Earlier, he’d tried to brush a kiss to my cheek, offering a weakapology, but I’d stormed away. I glowered at Ifan. For someone who’d drunk an entire brewery the night before, he appeared remarkably sober, though by the distance left between him and his older brother, at least he appeared to carry some guilt.
Pablo sat on his haunches with a sigh. The wolf was eager to get out on the road, but as Matthias wanted me to share a bloody horse again, we were at a crossroads. This time, I wouldn’t give in. Though as my gaze raked over him in his riding clothes; the stretchy riding trousers leaving very little to the imagination, the black tunic and fur riding cloak, maintaining my ire was a struggle.
‘Firstly, we’re on a time limit. We have to get to Graig Du as soon as possible. Sharing the same horse will not only slow us down, but it’ll also be uncomfortable for the poor creature…and me. So, no. I’ll be riding on my own.’
A wide grin spread across his face, and I itched with the urge to slap it away. His hands dropped to his side, stalking towards me, his eyes locked on mine.
‘See, I disagree.’
My breath hitched as his stupidly handsome face came into focus.
‘I think sharing a horse will beincrediblycomfortable.’
The bastard winked.
‘Then share with Asher.’
I turned, and Matthias grabbed my hand, tugging me back.
‘Come on, Sorrow.’ His frayed tone brought even more colour to my cheeks. ‘I only had one drink. I don’t know what happened. I’m sorry.’
Oh, I’d make sure he was sorry. I called his horse over. He narrowed his brows as his stunning steed turned around so his rear end faced Matthias. He took a step back.
‘Seriously?’ A smile tugged the corner of his mouth. ‘You’d have my own steed kick me?’
‘Of course not,’ I said, calling my own horse over and placing my hand on the pommel, heaving myself into the saddle. Matthias’s horse lifted his tail high, and the stable yard descended into raucous laughter as everyone realised exactly what I’d planned.
He raised his hands in mock surrender. ‘Fine, fine, you win.’ He walked to the side of his horse, stroking his gloved hand down the midnight hair on the horse’s withers.
Glesni chuckled as she heaved herself into the wagon, one leg seeming to give her some trouble.
‘Well,’ she said, shuffling into her seat, ‘if we don’t find any Vyrium, at least we know we still have the upper hand.’
‘How so?’ asked Asher, bringing his white mare alongside her wagon and passing her the reins.
‘Sorrow can get every creature in the vicinity to shit on our enemies. Imagine the history books!’
She laughed again, and tears stung at the back of my eyes. I knew if I looked closely, the glint in her eyes shone less bright, regardless of how loud she laughed.
By the third day of travelling, my anger still simmered, only to be joined by boredom. Even Matthias conceded sharing a horse hadn’t been one of his finest ideas.
‘All right, you win. We’d probably be at each other’s throats by now sharing a single ride. I’d forgotten what a natural rider you are.’
‘Or,’ I turned to face him, and that damned tingle of attraction stormed through me. I straightened my spine, fought to keep my features neutral. ‘You thought I couldn’t ride as well because my sight is failing.’
He raised his dark brows, his mouth a thin line. ‘I-I hadn’t seen you in so long. The way Romero worded it, you’d been soinjured by the fall, he had to protect you. Keep you safe. In my head, that wilful tearaway, the girl who could wrestle me to the ground, climb higher, shout louder, fight harder…I’d lost her. And it was my fault.’
