Page 97 of Her Ivory Flame

“Give him a chance, he isn’t Silas. He fought for you because he cares aboutyou, not what you can give him. From the sounds of it, Silas was more interested in what he could gain from you. ” Raine’s words finally struck a core inside her, the sting awakening part of her again.

“I need to get my power back so I can take that lying piece of crap out for good.” She snarled, Silas’s face flashing in her mind and she felt her power flare.

“Keep working with Kaden, I’m sure you are close to achieving it.” Raine assured.

She didn’t respond, the thought of still training with him made her stomach turn with a mix of emotions and she wasn’t sure which one to grab onto.

Another knock sounded on the door and Raine stood to open it while she stayed staring at the floor.

“Is she ok?” Kaden’s voice was barely loud enough for her to hear.

“Physically, yes.” Raine whispered back. “Mentally…”

“Can I-”

“Can you both please just leave me alone for a little while?” she snapped.

A sting of guilt ran through her chest, not really upset at Raine but she was overwhelmed and just wanted to be away from prying eyes.

The door closed and she laid back on her bed curling into a ball on her side with a sick feeling still in her stomach. She was able to fall asleep a short time later with Kaden’s face haunting her thoughts, that thread in her stomach vibrating one last time.

- - - - - - - -

It was dark when she opened her eyes. The sound of laughter drifting from the main hall had woken her, and she yawned as she sat up. The air was colder now, the temperature having dropped with the night. A chill brushed against her exposed skin. She was still in her nightgown, with far too much skin uncovered, and she knew it would only get colder as the night wore on.

She got up slowly, her back still sore and checked her drawers across the room to see if there were any of her old clothes in it.

They were just how she left them.

She grabbed a long fur lined robe, the warmth of it welcoming around her body as she tied it around her. The smell of pine filled her nostrils and for the first time since she had been back, she actually felt at home.

Hesitantly she walked to the door and entered into the main hall following the voices that woke her.

It was the same group she had been around for the last few days, all drinking and sitting around one of the long tables. Food cluttered the table and she saw Kaden instantly lookin her direction.

She avoided his eyes and instead looked to see Finnley draping his arm around Raine, who was leaning into him with a large smile across her face.

She was happy for her friend, that feeling of safety and love was something everyone deserved. She thought she had finally had it for good, but now she wasn’t sure.

The thread between her and Kaden pulsed, and she finally let her eyes meet his across the room. His beautiful maroon eyes were drinking her in and she could feel her guard melting away slowly.

He rose from his seat, the others quieting and could feel their stare as she stood still in her doorway. Slowly he walked to her, every step making her heart ache in need and she wasn’t sure if she was ready to speak with him again.

He stopped a foot from her, his eyes watching her carefully and she let out a long breath trying to calm her nerves.

“Come with me?” he asked softly, his eyes pleading with her once more and his hand reached toward her.

She stared at his hand for a few seconds, her mind and heart battling each other and she decided to let her heart win.

Gently she grabbed his hand and let their fingers intertwine with each other. He squeezed hers, his body relaxing and they started towards the door while the others continued their conversations quietly.

They stepped out into the night air, the moon lighting up the clear sky and casting shadows down the path into the trees. Thepath led down to her village, one she could see lit up with the evening fires and lanterns.

They didn’t use fae lights up here, traditional glass lanterns and candles suffices for them and saw no reason to change. They also didn’t want to rely on the Fae magic just in case they broke the alliance with Ambros.

Kaden grabbed a lantern that hung at the beginning of the path and they both walked in silence through the trees.

She took in a deep breath, the familiar scent of her home taking over her and she felt any tension she held fade away.