“Let me see.” He reaches for the clasp of my cloak, and I bat at his hands. He isfartoo comfortable touching me.
“It’s fine.”
“If you don’t let me see, then I will lock your limbs.”
This is exactly why I want to keep the locket, so I’m not at the mercy of his magic all the time. I go rigid as he undoes the clasp at my neck, and my cloak thumps to the ground. He paws at me, testing my injured shoulder and comparing it to the other one. “I need to fix it.”
His face is so close to mine that I can make out every curling lash. I hike a step back. “Fine, then.”
“It’s going to hurt.”
“Fine.”
He quirks a brow. “Would you like a countdown?”
“No.” No sooner than the words have left my mouth, he flicks his hand and his magic fills my injured shoulder. My arm pops back into place with an audible crack. I heave a breath, the blood draining from my cheeks, but remain otherwise silent, practiced in keeping my pain hidden.
He studies me, looking mildly impressed. “I expected more complaints.”
“Thank you,” I say, thrusting the words out in a way that sounds a lot more likefuck you.
“You’re welcome,” he says, voice lilted with amusement. He bends down to retrieve my cloak. When I reach out to take it from him, he pulls it out of reach. “You should keep your arm still.” He starts to wrap the cloak around me before he pulls it back with a bedraggled breath. “You’re a mess.”
He’s right. Smudges of blood cover my dress, some even coloring the ends of my hair.
He gestures quickly, and the stains dissipate. I stare at the place the stains were a second before. As many times as I’ve seen it now, his magic in action, it still doesn’t feel entirely real. I avoid his gaze as he re-clasps my cloak around my neck. Or his cloak rather, the one I stole from his wardrobe. He does me this one courtesy in not mentioning it.
He turns around and pats a hand over his other shoulder. “Get on.”
I stare at him in bewilderment. “I’d rather die.” I sidestep him and stumble over a tree root in the process.
“Easy or hard way, Nought. Choice is yours.”
“I can walk.”
“You’re spent. I think a good gust of wind might blow you over. Plus, you don’t have any shoes. It’s this, or you’re getting tossed over my shoulder. Or I could carry you like this,” he offers, holding his arms out as if to carry a baby.
I shake my head vigorously. No, I’m not climbing on top of him. He starts forward. “Wait—“ I say, panicked. “I—I’ll get on.” My cheeks flame mercilessly as he turns to offer me his back. Our varying heights are going to make this difficult. “You’re going to have to bend down a little.”
He snorts softly but bends his knees to where I can reach him. I stiffly wrap my one good arm around his neck. “Hold on with your legs, so you’re not aggravating your shoulder.” I’m practically sweating with the sharp flashes of heat accosting me despite the cool night air as I loosely wrap my legs around his middle. My breath catches as he grips the bottoms of my thighs and leans forward to pull me more tightly against him.
There’s a prickle against my skin as his magic settles across me, holding me in place, so it takes very little effort on my part.
He strides forward, smooth and confident, and I’m once again encompassed by his…scent. Pressed even more tightly together than when we’d been on the horse. I’m much too aware of where our bodies meet, my thighs stretched around his sides, and my legs wrapped around his middle. One of my arms is curled around his chest, hand closed into a fist to touch him the least amount possible. My other hand is resting awkwardly against his back.
My heart flutters chaotically in my chest. I’ve barely been in the company of men, let alone pressed so close to one. I study the way the back of his hair is shaved so close to the scalp. The longer bits on top spiraling in silky curls. What would it feel like to touch it? Bristly and then soft?
“You’re quiet, nought,” he murmurs, startling me from my thoughts. “Plotting your next escape attempt?”
“No.” My voice comes out breathy and dazed. I shake my head and clear my throat. Surprisingly, I’m not planning another escape attempt, seeing as this one was an utter failure.
At least not yet.
I’m not sure howlong it’s going to take for the poison of the blood roots to take effect. Not sure how long until it takes someone down. Seeing as she’s not very big, I imagine the time frame will be even shorter for her.
Get her back and hope the antidote doesn’t take long to brew.
She is not fighting me and allowing me to bring her back, at the least. I suck in a deep breath, muscles loosening the further we get from the piece of the theurgynate. “How did you get out, anyway?”
