I stalked toward them, ignoring the way Etienne’s gaze stayed trained on me. I cared little what he thought, but nearly tripped when he tipped his head in what I thought was encouragement.
Which was madness, unless he no longer wanted Finley as his intended. Gods, if that were true, if he hurt her . .. Was that why she’d been crying?
From the corner of my mind, Teddy called my name, but even if she barreled into me, she couldn’t stop me.
“You’re riding with me,” I said when I reached them.
“Brent,” Elias warned at the same time Finley snapped, “Excuse me?”
My heart thundered in my ears, blood heating in my veins, but when I touched her back, I kept it gentle. Just enough pressure to guide her if she allowed it from me.
“Let’s go.” It came out more controlled than I felt.
She hesitated, and that split-second pause speared straight through my heart, right where our bond lived and breathed.Fool. When would I learn she hadn’t chosen me? She’d never choose me.
Her attention turned to Etienne as if she needed his approval on what should’ve been solely her decision. With my hands fisted, I dug my nails into my palms.
“Etienne is your intended, not your keeper,” I said, my words a thick snarl. “You make your own decisions.”
She splayed her hand on her waist, her chin tilted up, defiant and confident and so fucking beautiful. “Yet you’re demanding I go with you.”
“That’s right, pet.” I winked, and when her cheeks flamed red, not from embarrassment but our argument, my dick stirred.
“I’m not your pet,” she shot back. “I’m not anyone’s pet.”
“Then act like it.”
She threw her shoulders back, righting herself to her full height, and curled her lips at me.Vith,this female knew how to put on a show, leaving me as her enraptured audience.
“Then leave so I may ride with our king.” Her jaw tightened as her magnificent eyes blazed into mine.
I rubbed the stubble on my chin, doing my best not to show how much she affected me. But gods, if she asked it of me, I’d strip myself bare with only my tattered heart for her to see.
I took a long step forward, invading her personal space. I touched her chin, not needing to tip it up very much. She took in a shuddering breath that I inhaled. I licked my lips, tasting her breath that was a satisfying mixture of spice and sweet.
“What do you really want, Lolli?”
Something like despair fell from her parted lips. I understood that anguish. I hadn’t called her Lolli in such a long time.
Before our worlds were divided and we’d broken each other’s hearts, she’d been my Lolli because of the endless supply of lollipops she carried with her, while I’d been Squishy, a name she’d given me because of my chubby cheeks.
With maturity, my face had thinned, but not enough. Teddy loved nothing more than to pinch my cheeks, and while most times it didn’t bother me, other times, when this untethered bond with Finley roared through my veins, the single act felt like a lance through my chest.
Finley’s features softened, and while I missed the fire that flamed behind her eyes, I also knew I’d won. She squared her shoulders, her body still close to mine, and her attention on me. “If I may, Your Highness, I’d be more comfortable riding with Brenton.” It didn’t sound like a request so much as a command.
Like the goddess my heart claimed her to be, and whose vibrant soul was as incomparable and special as hers.
Since we were younglings, I’d always been able to light that fire in her soul. I loved it when she didn’t shrink who she was to fit into society’s mold. My own fire responded to her each time she unapologetically took up her space.
I knew her well enough to know how much it bothered her that others feared or were uncomfortable around her. It was their loss, though. If they knew who Finley was, they’d trip over their feet to be in her presence.
When Elias nodded, I guided Finley to Hoshiko, who curled his lips back to show his large, sharp teeth. I patted him between his flaring nostrils, watching a muscle that twitched just below his right eye.
Just as I motioned for Finley to draw closer, a vicious snarl rumbled from his throat.
“Hoshiko,”I warned, his name coming out wild with sudden fury.
Finley took a retreating step, her head turning toward Elias, who was already atop Nalari.
