“What…are you doing?” He gritted out between clenched teeth.
She ignored him, reaching around his body to grab the edges of his cloak and pulling it around herself, hiding most of her body. She stayed just like that, cuddled into him, the side of her face resting against his neck the entire way to the gate. The wind shifted her loose curls, and the brush of them on his skin mixed with the warmth of her body set him ablaze.
He forced himself to focus on their surroundings, Trey doing the same. And he had to hand it to the annoying man—he’d been right. The guards stationed at the gate looked tired and eager for their replacements. They glanced at their group, but seeing nothing of interest, they just nodded before looking away, bored.
As they rode past the outskirts of the city, Jaren felt a weight release from his chest. He’d been waiting for Trey to attempt something as they passed the guards, but he must have known his chances were slim to none with her pressed so close to Jaren.
He barely kept the manic grin from taking over his face. He’d successfully stolen the zhu from Sulian, and that knowledge alone was almost heady.
Now he just needed a nice cliff for Trey to accidentally fall off of, and everything would be going to plan.
Chapter 16
VERA
She was content. Her stress had all but disappeared, and she was tempted to close her eyes and fall into an easy, blissful sleep.
The cocoon she’d formed around herself chased away the chill of the night, and she shifted to get more comfortable, causing her nose to graze against something warm. An earthy smell caressed her senses and blurry memories assaulted the walls of her mind.
The scent settled her and reminded her of her childhood, of before. Of laughter and chases, late night mischief, and innocent pleasures. Why was it so familiar? She pressed her nose more firmly against the warmth, allowing the smell to curl around her.
She all but melted when she felt the soft brush of fingers stroking her cheek, purring at the sensation. When they glided over to caress just behind her ear, Vera’s eyes shot open, and she launched herself forward. A wave of dizziness crashed into her, and she tipped sideways. If not for the strong arms holding the reins on either side of her, she would have face-planted right off the horse.
“Relax, little star. Phrino mbi thothori.” You are safe.
He gripped her waist gently and pulled her back. She wanted to argue, to fight back, to do anything other than give in, but her body refused to obey. She felt short of breath and her head dropped against him like a dead weight, lulling to the side.
“She’s in no condition to keep going. We’ll head to the forest line and stop just long enough for me to check the extent of her injury.” The vibrations in his chest rumbled up her spine with each of his words.
Trey’s voice came from the right, and if she possessed any function of her limbs, she might’ve jumped. Her mind was so fuzzy, she’d almost completely forgotten he was with them. “I’ll take care of her.”
The body wrapped around her stiffened. “Her life over yours, right?”
“Yes,” came the clipped reply.
“Then I suggest you fall back and follow like a good guard dog, because out of the two of us, only I can help her heal, Matherin.”
She couldn’t help but appreciate his ability to make Matherin sound more like a vulgar insult than a name. She chuckled, drawing his attention.
“You’re good at that,” she mumbled into his neck.
“At what?” A shudder went through his body.
“Being an ass.”
Vera wasn’t sure if he replied, the black dots that had been trickling into her vision finally taking hold and pulling her under, but she swore she heard a soft laugh.
∞∞∞
“Choose your next move carefully. Deal or not, I will watch you bleed out at my feet if you do not back up.”
“That’s an empty threat, and we both know it. You want her cooperation, and for the moment, that requires my heart to stay beating. So again, remove your hands from her person, before I make you.”
A dark chuckle, “I would truly love to see you try.”
Vera felt awareness creep up and she reached for it, trying to latch on. But the lull of sleep still clutched at her, trying to entice her back down.
“I said, remove your hands from her clothing, Magyki.”
Wait…what? Her clothing? Her confusion helped clear more of the fogginess around her mind until she became aware of hands gliding up the naked skin of her lower stomach. Her eyes flew open, and she sat up so fast the world tilted, and she barely had time to twist to the side before vomiting.
“What—” she said between heaves, “are you doing.” She clutched her side as it burned and screamed with each spasm of her body. Trey came around and crouched in front of her, concern pulsing from him in droves.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” She sat back, scooting away from the puddle of bile and inhaling slowly to settle her stomach. “Just a little woozy. Where are we?”
“Not far enough.”
She turned to look at the piercing green eyes of the male kneeling at her other side. “You passed out. I need to check your wound if you have any hope of staying conscious.”
Trey glowered at him, but he had a point. Traveling with an injury was irresponsible, and she definitely didn’t want to lose consciousness again.
“Fine.”
Ignoring the disagreeing grumble next to her, she scooted farther away before lowering herself to the ground and peeling her tunic up just enough to expose the cut. She bit her lip, fighting to stay still when he leaned over her and gently pressed around it.
Murmuring almost to himself, he said, “It’s a clean cut.” She didn’t doubt that. She knew from experience how sharp his daggers were.
“I just needed to confirm since you wouldn’t be strong enough to heal from anything more significant. Drink some water. If necessary, there’s food in my pack to help replenish your energy before sealing the cut.” He shifted back, ready to stand.
“Oh, is that all?” Vera couldn’t refrain from rolling her eyes. “A little food and water and suddenly the throbbing wound will no longer be of concern. How silly of me.”
Eyes narrowing, he leaned in, invading her personal space. His gaze moved over her face, trying to find the answer to a question he hadn’t asked. He suddenly grabbed her arms and hauled her up into a sitting position. Crossing his legs and sitting directly in front of her, he seemed more annoyed than anything.
“How much do you know about your heritage? Do you not even know what you’re capable of?”
Vera bristled at his tone and nervously glanced at Trey, still crouched a few feet away from her.
“If he hasn’t figured it out yet, he isn’t worthy of being your guard. Now, answer my question.”