Reluctantly, I forced myself to step away from her. I wanted her too much. Now with our magic wound to our souls, it was far too easy to forget the world outside her eyes. “Crazy about being crazy for you.”
She shook her head, amusement clear in her features. “You are by far the strangest male I know, but I wouldn’t change a single thing about you.”
Her words warmed me from the inside. That warmth only spread when she stepped away from the fire to hug my waist.
“I was made for you, too.” Her words were soft, her eyes burning with her vow.
She tilted her chin up, closing the space between us before I could think to tease her again. Her lips pressed to mine. Certain this time, more confident than any kiss she’d given me before.
I let her lead, let her set the rhythm, although every part of me ached for more. Her mouth moved against mine, curiosity edged with hunger. It was as if she’d finally decided to taste every part of what fate offered her.
When she broke away, her breath brushed hot against my lips. “Alastor and Callan are coming.”
My heart pounded as if it’d never find its rhythm again, but she undid me. Completely. And if she kept looking at me like that, I’d never remember how to breathe again.
Begrudgingly, I folded her list and tucked it in the pocket of my shorts.
Alastor and Callan approached us, with Callan carrying fresh water from the stream they slept by. When Alastor sat at a log by the fire, the scent of copper and old iron cut through the air.Blood. Yet there was no trace of it on either male.
I stilled, my eyes skimming over Alastor’s face. The way he pinched the bridge of his nose when he thought no one was watching. Beyond that, he looked off. Tired and unlike the indestructible mage I had befriended. I wanted to press theissue, but held my tongue. He wasn’t a male to be fussed over, and I knew how he’d react. It wasn’t simply the pride that was stitched into his bones but his need for control. To be seen as anything less than unshakable would cut deeper than any wound.
So after we exchanged a few words, I started preparing the tea from the herbal plant I’d carried from Niev. When I passed Finley a small bowl to set over the fire, her eyes flicked to Alastor with the same concern I felt but didn’t voice. I stayed quiet, grinding the dried petals into a fine powder and only met Alastor’s gaze again when the tea was ready.
He dipped his head down in quiet acknowledgment. After a few sips, color bled back into his eyes, returning to their calm gray. The pain didn’t leave him but lingered in the tightness at the corner of his mouth. Every instinct in me wanted to call it out and demand he rest the way Teddy would if she were here.
But if I pressed too hard, he’d only bury it deeper. So I let it stand despite the way it scraped across every protective bone in my body.
Callan, who Alastor had briefed upon our return, took the food Finley offered. When she passed it to me, I pulled her to my lap to share my food with her.
“Will you continue to train in the astral realm?” Callan asked.
Something inside me flared, not exactly nerves but something more fragile.Will I always feel her emotions so clearly? Or will it fade?I straightened, but my straining muscles relaxed when Finley threaded her fingers with mine.
“We can train on this island,” Alastor said, taking a small bite at the meat.
“How?” Finley asked. “Eiran said we needed to start training our magic against Zaicha’s attack.”
“Fae and dragon magic may not exist here,” Alastor said, cutting a gaze to Callan, “but my mage magic does not seem to bebound by those rules. Using the tethers of your bond, I can tug on Finley’s magic while you both try to keep it centered to that connection.”
Through our bond, Finley’s nerves wrapped around me.
“Can we start the training with me binding my magic to my breath?” Finley asked.
“It may take some time to untether your magic from your bond.” Alastor’s reply came back soft as if he understood Finley’s apprehension. “Magic does not exist here for you, and if your power is bound to your breath, you may not be able to guard against me. We do this how you wish to, Finley, but I believe it would be wiser to keep your magic anchored where it already rests.”
I turned to face her. “I agree with Alastor. Our bond is your strongest tether. I won’t let you falter.”
“What if it’s me who forces you to falter?” she asked, her eyes wide.
Unable to look away, I stared at the hazel eclipsing her silver eyes. Should I like having my mark on her in any way?
“We’re in this together, Lolli,” I said, a pulse beating inside me like a vow. “We keep each other from faltering.”
“Brenton”—she cast a nervous glance around her—“I’m scared. I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Your magic has never harmed me,” I said, keeping my gaze steady on her. “I’d bet anything that if it came down to it, your magic would do what it needs to keep me safe.” I brushed my knuckles over her cheek. “I’m your damsel in distress, remember?”
She huffed out a laugh. “You’re ridiculous, but you’re my ridiculous damsel.” Her lips curved, something more confident flickering in her features. “I trust you. If you say we’ll keep each other from faltering, then that’s what we’ll do.”
