But his uncertainty was what I’d intended above all.
I was causing it here and there, in bits and pieces.
“I can certainly hold up my end of a conversation, however, I predominantly meant as company, so you aren’t alone.”
“If you were really concerned about me being alone, why barely allow me any interaction with the necromancers down here—just brief moments here and there?”
Because he was picking up on issues, on dissent in his ranks, and he didn’t want that infecting me.
“The bond between us is already established. I don’t want you overwhelmed by forming others too quickly. All in good time—just like you, yourself, said, in regard to letting go of your grief over cut ties to your old life.”
Piece of—
I sucked in a breath and forced a smile. “Well, then, that’s actually very considerate.”
“I am working hard to be precisely that for you. To make you feel welcome.”
Yeah, to make me easier to use.
Because to take on the weight of powering this place, it had to be a willing bond with the realm, or it wouldn’t work, wouldn’t fuse properly to me.
“And it’s coming along. Once I’m healed, I’ll be able to show my gratitude properly.”
Jeez.How did Vax keep up with this sort of thing? The way he could guide a situation and problematic elements to his liking with specific and targeting phrasing while remaining so calm and deliberate, never showing his hand—only among our foursome… it was a lot.
Ruxnoth reached out again, this time stroking my jaw, where I had to slide my hand into my hoodie pocket and clench the fuck out of it to endure the touch. His eyes burned into mine, as he rumbled, “I have no doubt, miraculous boy.”
Unlike last time, he didn’t release me right away.
Instead, he tightened his grip. “Speak the words.”
I swallowed. “What words?”
“You know well the words I am referring to. Say it. Say you’re my deathborn darling.”
I’d never wanted to harm anyone. In any way whatsoever. Just the thought of it had made me sick to my stomach. And it still did.
But with him?
With him, it was different.
And I’d never thought that would be possible, that I would imagine tearing somebody apart with my bare hands, then watching the shock and defeat all over their face as I took their miserable life.
Yet here we were.
And it was another thing I hated him for.
I snatched his wrist, my Wraith frost crackling over his skin, and making him hiss. Then I called my shadows, guiding them to wrap around his wrist, using the strength of them to remove his unwanted touch.
Then I spun to him, bringing our walk toward the palace to a sudden halt.
“Like Isaid,” I hissed. “Once. I’m. Healed.”
Our eyes locked.
The tension ramped up.
A dangerous silence descended.
