Page 56 of Wraithwound

She gave him a questioning look.

“The outpost is located just off the plains, but creatures have been known to wander in if they don’t seal the gates,” he said.

Cross mounted his horse, extending a hand to her. Lena hesitated. “Despite his attitude, Kharon doesn’t bite,” he said.

But Lena wasn’t worried about his horse. She’d been riding on Kharon for over a week, but last night, she’d let the wraith in.

She glanced around as if willing another method of transportation to appear. Her heart pounded in her chest as she considered. It was clear Cross wasn’t afraid of her, but she couldn’t say the same about herself. Lena took a steadying breath and willed her heart to slow. Henry was keeping her from turning somehow, but if his strength gave out, would she turn? Or worse, hurt Cross? He wasn’t invincible, despite the rumors that swirled about the illustrious warriors. She’d learned that firsthand.

Reluctantly, she accepted. Seated in front of him, she felt the heat of his body seep in through her cloak. Lena fumbled with her hands, unsure of where to put them, until finally, she turned to ask and saw Cross trying to hide a smirk.

Maybe she should have just eaten him when she had the chance. Her heart lifted a little at the use of Henry’s interpretation of what she’d done. But the feeling of levity didn’t last. Eduard’s face flashed in her mind, and she was suddenly drowning in shame and regret.

Kharon’s sudden movement brought her back to the moment, and she exhaled a shaky breath. Later. She would think about it later.

Chittering from the trees let Lena know the eleuth wouldn’t be left behind. It launched itself from a nearby pine and transformed midair, its eyes going black. Lena was stunned to see a pair of ghastly wings appear on its back as it soared toward them.

“Did you know it could do that?” Cross asked, awe clear in his voice.

“No!” She half turned, her cheek brushing across his chin.

“Pet of yours?” he asked.

“No. A new friend, I think,” she said.

Cross merely nodded and went back to scanning their surroundings.

They rode across the swaying, brown grasses of the plains, scattered vegetation the only markers of their progress. Eventually the terrain changed, the plains giving way to abrupt, vertical rock features and small streams that wound through steep rocky slopes. As the sun crept higher into the sky, the chill in the wind seemed to vanish.

The sun beat down on them relentlessly with no shelter or shade in sight. That, paired with the veritable heater at her back, made her vision swim. Lena reached for her water skein and drank deeply, hoping the water would snap her from her stupor. All she could think about was the heat seeping into her skin, making her blood simmer. A cooler shift in the air had her leaning over, chasing the feel of it on her skin, when⁠—

“Whoa!” Cross exclaimed, slowing Kharon.

Strong arms rose up around her, as her body went loose. She leaned into those arms, the only solid thing in a world that swam with bright light and bleeding colors.

“Lena, what’s wrong?”

She tried to get the words out, but her lips wouldn’t move. She tried again, managing one word: “Hot.”

The word was barely a whisper. He touched her forehead and placed his palm on her cheek. She let her face fall into his hand, eyes threatening to close.

“I have to get this cloak off you. Is that okay?” he asked. When she didn’t answer, he shook her gently.

“Can I take this off?” he asked again, a little louder.

She managed a nod. That seemed to be enough for Cross, who unhooked the clasp of her cloak and pulled it down her back. The next thing she felt was the rush of cool water as he poured the contents of his water skein to soak her shirt.

Lena moaned at the feel of the water as it pulled the heat out of her skin.

“Talk to me, Lena,” he said, panic lacing his tone.

Lena blinked, her vision beginning to clear. She was clutching Cross’s forearm, blood beading where her fingernails met the tanned skin of his muscled arm. He had opted to wear his cuirass this morning, leaving his arms exposed. Lena recoiled at the sight of his blood, even as she turned to face him.

“I—I just scratched you!” Lena hid her face in her hands, memories of the other times her nails had drawn blood assaulting her. Had she just reinfected him?

“I’m fine,” he said gently. “I’ll get it looked at in Lythara.”

She peered down at the puncture marks in his arm and was relieved to see the absence of thin black veins or grey tinged skin. It took her a moment to compose herself. Cross waited patiently, giving her the room she needed despite his proximity.