Page 16 of The Sunbound Princess
Helios hated it.What if they discover who you are?he’d demanded, flames shooting from the top of his head.
They wouldn’t. I’d withheld my name as long as I could. But the men would have grown suspicious if I insisted on remaining anonymous. The shortened version of my real name was a good compromise. It concealed my true identity without risking that I’d fail to respond when the men used it.
“So, Bel,” Nikolas said, turning the spit. “Are you looking for a family heirloom or something?”
I swallowed hastily. “No. Not really.”
Helios turned his head and stared at me.
Nikolas and Dain gazed at me, the fire crackling between us. Nikolas pulled the second rabbit from the fire.
“No?” he repeated, his tone casual as he worked. He glanced up, his brown eyes crinkled at the corners. “Or not really?”
“Just no,” I said, my voice sharper than I’d intended. My palm stung, and I wiped my hand on a fold of my cloak.
Nikolas smiled, seemingly unbothered by my tone. “Dain and I can help you find it.” He looked at the larger man. “Can’t we, Dain?”
Dain tore a hearty strip of meat from a bone. Firelight danced in his blue eyes and gilded his blond hair. He’d tucked the errantstrands behind his ears. The rest remained in its knot, which was secured with a strip of leather. Loose, his hair probably fell past his shoulders. But maybe it was even longer, the golden strands descending all the way to his?—
I jerked my head down, my heart pounding faster. I had no business wondering about Dain Zostas’s hair.
“Sure,” he said, jerking my gaze back to him. Eyes on me, he sucked the last of the meat from a bone and then tossed it over his shoulder. My heart thumped harder as he braced his elbows on his spread knees and studied me. “As I said before, it would help to know what we’re looking for.”
My palm twinged. Curling my fingers over the wound, I cleared my throat. “So…what were you two doing in these woods? Are you from around here?”
The men exchanged a look, and some kind of silent communication flowed between them. Nikolas turned to me, the amused glint in his eyes telling me he and Dain had decided not to mention my clumsy change of subject.
“We’re from Saldu,” he said in his smooth voice. “If you’re unfamiliar with Andulum, it’s the capital city of Saldu Kuum.”
Helios snorted softly. “We’re well-acquainted with your human kingdoms.” He shoved his spectacles higher on his nose. “And your lack of originality when it comes to naming your cities.”
Nikolas tossed another rabbit to Dain before turning his smile on Helios. “Big fan of human geography, are you?”
Helios crossed his arms. “Hardly.”
Nikolas grinned, and a dimple appeared in his cheek. He was more traditionally handsome than Dain with his tan skin and dark eyes that gleamed in the firelight. His lashes were long and thick, and dark stubble shadowed his jaw.
I squeezed my hands together in my lap. Pain shot through my palm, and I barely smothered a yelp.
“You’re hurt,” Dain said suddenly, his eyes on my lap.
I sat up straighter. “It’s nothing.”
He frowned, clearly unconvinced. “I saw you scrape your hand earlier.” He looked up, his blue eyes locking with mine. “I have a little healing magic. I can take a look.”
Before I could decline, he moved to my side and took my hand. The moment his skin brushed mine, heat shot up my arm. As he turned my wrist, a bright golden light flickered in the scant space between us.
This time, my yelp escaped, and I yanked my hand away. “Did you see that?” I gasped, meeting Dain’s gaze.
He nodded, his expression equal parts shocked and perplexed. “Felt it, too.”
“What?” Helios demanded, hovering at my shoulder.
Nikolas stood slowly, and he cast a curious look between me and Dain. “Magic.”
My heart pounded so hard I wondered if the men could hear it. If I’d harbored any doubts, the golden light erased them. I had no idea how or why, but Dain Zostas was part of the Dokimasi. If I wanted to find the sunstone, I had to remain with him. And since Nikolas refused to leave his side, I was stuck with Nikolas too.
“May I?” Dain asked, gesturing to my hand. Swallowing, I put my fingers in his. The light didn’t spark again, but heat blossomed in my chest. He darted a look up at me, and it was obvious he felt the same. But he lowered his head and traced a fingertip down the center of my hand. He closed his eyes, his lashes thick and golden on his cheeks. Heat suffused my palm, and my heart fluttered. Just as the sensation grew too hot, Dain released me.
