She huffed out a laugh, her eyes sparkling. “Do you truly want me to wear this again?” She extended her arm toward me, teasing and light. “I already smell of you. You needn’t drown me in your scent.”
I cupped her hand, curling my palm around it, and bent to her wrist. My breath ghosted over her skin as I dragged my nose slowly along the line of her arm. Her eyes flared white, widening as she tracked me.
“You think that’s the reason?” When I reached her shoulder, I brushed her shirt aside and buried my face in the space where her throat and shoulder met. I inhaled deeply, her scent filling me. The clean woodsmoke of the fire, the salt of her skin, and beneath it all, the unshakable scent that was Finley.Mine. “I like you in my clothes, Lolli. Not just because it carries my scent but because you look like you belong in them. And when your scent clings to the fabric, I’ll wear it and carry you with me.”
Heat flickered in her eyes, but she hid it with a grin. “Will you not wash it, then?”
Gently, I tugged on her hand, and she stepped into me, her body fitting against mine as if it belonged there. Her fingers skimmed over my shirt, across my stomach, before settling on my chest, right over the thrum of my heart. Beneath her touch, the steady beat turned reckless, and I knew she could feel the way it tremored for her.
“And wash you away?” I murmured as I brushed my lips over her temple. “Never.”
She laughed. “That’s disgusting, Brent. What about sweat and dirt?” Her teasing words barely covered the truth that shone in her expression. She tipped her chin up, her eyes steady on me as if she dared me to counter what she said next. “I understand what you’re saying, though. You mean, you’re mine too.”
I lowered my forehead to hers, closing the little space between us until her breath mingled with mine. “Every piece of me belongs to you. As you’re bound to me, I am bound to you, just as wholly.”
For several beats, neither of us moved. She rubbed her cheek against mine, and I felt her breath skim over my lips. My chest eased, the tug on our bond loosening.
Her lips curled into a radiant smile. “I make the same vow to you. I am bound to you just as wholly.” Her fingers trailed down my chest and through my shirt, leaving a trail of fire everywhere she touched. Then she gave me a little push. “Now, go. Let me change into your clothes.”
Reluctantly, I left her, curling my fist as if I could trap the memory of her touch on my palm and keep her against me a little longer.
The night air cooled the heat she’d left behind. That was when I saw Elias, striding toward his tent with clipped urgency. His movements were too sharp to be anything but trouble.
I quickened my pace, flicking a glance at my tent before catching up. “Elias,” I called, but he didn’t slow. I reached for him, my fingers closing around his arm.
He spun, fists half raised before recognition dropped them. His eyes were wild. Haunted.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, breath tight.
“I need to go back to Niev.” His words came out fast and sharp.
My stomach knotted. “Why? The kids, Teddy—what happened?”
He shook his head hard. “They’re fine. Nothing’s wrong. I just—” His jaw locked, trapping the rest of his words. “I can’t explain. But I need you to stay, Brent. Keep an eye on Javier when he returns. Stay alert. Look after the others.” He looked back over his shoulder at his tent. “Trust me, nothing is wrong. I only leave to ensure it remains that way.”
Confusion twisted through me, but Elias was already moving again, hands moving swiftly as he tore down the tent with precision.
“I can do that, Elias,” Everly said, stepping in. “Go. Nalari is waiting for you.”
He gave a jerky nod. “Stand together and return home when you complete this mission.” His voice carried that of a command, his expression grave enough to match.
I set a hand on his shoulder, steadying the tension coiling there. “You know we will. If that is your kingly command, then of course we’ll obey.” I let the corner of my mouth twitch, teasing, but beneath it was the promise I’d always give him and my friends. I’d watch over each of them as fiercely as I would my own blood.
“Thank you, brother.” His voice roughened as he dipped his forehead to mine, the gesture brief but heavy with everything hewasn’t saying. He did the same with Everly, then turned, striding at a run toward where Nalari waited.
I watched him go until the night swallowed his silhouette. My chest tightened with unease. In all the years I’d known Elias, he’d been the one who stood between us and danger, our shield and protector. Not just for his kingdom, but for us. His chosen family.
So what demanded that he leave us behind in a realm we knew nearly nothing about?
“What was that about?” I muttered, running a hand over my face.
Everly pressed her mouth together in a thin line. “I don’t know. I saw him speaking to a human female. Their interaction was . . . heated. Then he said he had to go.”
“Did you recognize the female?” I asked.
“I don’t think so.”
The worry in my stomach curled tighter. “Point her out to me tomorrow.”
