His words hit me hard, their meanings hitting harder. He knows exactly what he is, what he does. He’s a pawn to be played in a game he is forever trapped in, and each horrible act he commits is in the name of duty, the name of Ilya.
But this boy before me looked into my eyes and admitted he was a monster, acknowledged what he has been created into without so much as a hint of horror. Instead, acceptance is written across his features, acknowledging what he is and always will be.
Distracted by my thoughts, I reach to rub more salve onto his wound only for him to catch my wrist. “We had a deal, Gray. I may be accustomed to torture, but this salve of yours is unbearable.”
He offers me a small smirk, clearly wanting to lighten the mood now. Wanting to do what we do best—play with one another. So I do just that. “You’re right. A deal is a deal.” I quickly wipe my hands in the grass before adding, “Thank you for telling me about...you.” At that, he huffs out a laugh that I quickly cut off. “And remind me to take a page out of your book and ditch the next ball to go get drunk with Kitt.”
I could have sworn he stiffened slightly at my words. “And why would you do that when I’m so much more fun?”
I laugh lightly. “If by fun do you mean flirty? Because you certainly are more of that.”
He flashes me a wicked, wide grin and my heart trips over itself stupidly. “I can’t seem to help it when I’m with certain company.”
I scoff. “Yes, if certain company extends to the entire kingdom because you seem to be flirty with every female in Ilya.” I think back to the many women he danced with at the ball, the way I watched him slip on that charming smile of his.
His eyes search mine. “What, wanting me all to yourself—”
My palm connects with his face, stunning him into silence. He blinks. Confusion and the smallest hint of amusement flicker over the face I just slapped. When he finally turns his head back to me, I raise my hand in front of him to reveal the squashed bug in the center of it.
I smile at him innocently. “Mosquito. You’re welcome.”
“How kind of you,” he says dryly.
My smile is full of mock sweetness as I wrap the fabric back around his wound and shoulder, covering the salve with the battered bandage. “Just looking out for my new partner.”
“Is that so?”
“Mhmm,” I hum distractedly, biting the inside of my cheek as I examine my handiwork.
“Well in that case...” Kai stands to his feet, steps close, and hits me lightly across the face.
I let out a humorless laugh, touching my fingers to my cheek. Then my gaze locks with his amused one. He shrugs casually. “Mosquito.”
“Prove it,” I challenge.
The corner of his mouth twists upwards as he raises his hand to cup my face. “My proof happens to still be splattered on your cheek.” I hold my breath as he swipes his thumb gently over my skin before holding it up to display the smudged bug. “Just looking out for my partner.”
His tone is mocking, and yet, laughter begins bubbling out of me.
I can’t seem to stop, can’t seem to control my cackling. The thought of us hitting each other like children in the middle of a deadly Trial is extremely comical. And for once, I hope there is a Sight watching this unfold.
The glimpse of confusion and concern on Kai’s face only make me laugh more, and I clamp a hand over my now throbbing wound as I shake with laughter.
Maybe I am still delusional after all.
I snort loudly, and that’s all it took to get Kai laughing with me—well, at me. The sound is rich and deep, and irritatingly enough, I find myself quieting so I can hear it better. And then, all too quickly, the sound stops.
He’s looking at me, and I’m looking at him. I don’t know what to say or think or do as his eyes trail over my face, taking in my dirty and disheveled appearance.
He, on the other hand, looks just as annoyingly attractive as always.
I shake the thought from my head, running a hand through my tangled hair as I struggle to form words. Meanwhile, Kai is content to watch me squirm as I try to come up with something to break the heavy silence that has fallen between us.
My eyes drop to his bandaged wound and words tumble out of my mouth. “So, I’m assuming Braxton did this to you?”
Kai chuckles as he runs a hand through his own hair, only causing the messy, black waves to tumble over his brow again. “You should see what I did to him.” He says the words so casually that I would think he was kidding if I didn’t know what he was capable of.
“Yeah, well.” I look away, about to say something that will likely piss the prince off when he holds up a hand, quieting me.
“Don’t. Move.”
I scoff. “What, is there another mosquito on my—”
His hand clamps over my mouth before he whirls me around by the waist, pinning me against his solid frame. I’m stunned for heartbeat before I contemplate biting the fingers covering my lips. But something about the way his breathing quickens makes me pause my plotting to escape his hold. And with his chest pressed against my back, I can feel his heart hammering quickly. Too quickly.
I spot movement in my peripheral, my eyes snapping to the large, looming shape now stalking towards us through the wall of trees. Silver fur gleams in the sunlight, shifting with every move of the powerful body beneath. Glowing yellow eyes lock with mine as the beast halts, eying us from afar.
Wolf.
No. Wolves.
My eyes scan the trees, finding four more massive bodies covered in fur, all ranging in color. The five of them watch us, half covered by the surrounding pine trees as they size up their next meal with hungry eyes.
My heart is thumping against my ribcage, my breathing shallow and quick. It’s a good thing Kai’s hand is still covering my mouth, because I nearly yelp at the sudden feel of his lips brushing against the shell of my ear. “You never seem to listen, do you?”
I reach up slowly, keeping my eyes trained on the wolves as I grab his wrist and pull his hand away from my mouth. “Technically, I did listen. I talked, not moved,” I whisper back, my voice sharp.
I can feel his mouth smiling against my ear. “Smartass.”
“So, what’s the plan? What are we doing?” My voice is urgent as I eye the wolves.
“There is no we,” he says softly, releasing his hold to step slowly around until he’s standing in front of me. “You are still injured,” he murmurs, “and I’m not risking you tearing my stitches open.”
Absolutely not.
I step to his side, irritated. “What happened to us being partners?”
“Well, we won’t be partners for much longer if you insist on getting yourself killed,” he mutters, silently drawing the sword from its sheath at his side.
“And you’re just going to take on five wolves by yourself? I don’t think so,” I whisper harshly. There is no way in hell I’m letting him fight on his own. My pride and paranoia won’t allow that.
“Then you clearly underestimate me, Gray.”
Slowly, so slowly, I pull the bow from my back, watching the wolves as I do. They don’t make a move, though they’ve sunk closer to the ground, ready to pounce and bound toward us.
I nock an arrow.