I spent the night watching her sleep. She was restless. At some point, I saw her shiver, so I covered her with a blanket and then folded mine and placed it under her head. She didn’t wake up.
She almost died.
That thought loops in my mind.
And I would have totally lost it.
I have to keep my distance. Inside me, Fury grumbles and growls.
Now I watch as she goes about her morning routine. She drinks, eats, and talks with the new girl—who I don’t trust at all.
Amber is still hurting, though she’s trying her best to hide it.
But we have to keep moving. There’s a good chance more shadowguard are about, so we need to get somewhere safe. And find some answers. And maybe my brother.
I make a decision. I stride toward her. She looks up as I approach and raises her brows. “You’re riding with me today,” I say.
She searches my face. I have no clue what she’s looking for, so I keep my expression blank.
“What do you mean, ‘riding with me’?” she asks.
“You can sit up front, relax. I’ll hold on to you. You can sleep.”
“Yeah. Right. That sounds very relaxing.” But I can see her considering it. Her hand goes to her side, and she winces. God, I wish Sheela were here to take the pain away. That’s another reason to keep moving—maybe this crone will have some healing magic.
But that reminds me that once we get there, I have decisions to make. My orders are to bring the Crone to my father without delay.
Will I?
Amber opens her mouth, and I’m sure she’s about to come up with numerous reasons why she shouldn’t ride with me—why it’s a stupid idea. “Don’t argue about this,” I say. “According to Thanouq, we have two more days of traveling. It’s happening. Come on.”
I hold out my hand. She stares at it for a second, then holds out her own. I slide my palm into hers, and the familiar tingle runs through me. She feels it as well. I lead her to where my horse waits, ready to go.
“What’s his name?” she asks, stroking his black neck. “I’ve never heard you call him anything.”
I frown. “I don’t know.” It never occurred to me to ask Brown if the animal had a name.
“That’s terrible.” She looks thoughtful for a moment. “Let’s call him Mayhem. You can be Khaos and Mayhem.”
It’s actually a good name for the animal. I don’t say anything but just place my hands on her hips and lift her so she’s sitting sideways in the saddle. She looks down at me, then swings her leg over. I put my foot in the stirrup and mount behind her.
She shifts forward as I settle into the saddle. There’s not a lot of room, and I can feel her against every inch of my body, can sense the heat of her skin. Her hair brushes my chin, and I breathe her in. This morning she smells of the ocean—the salt tang of a sea breeze. Freedom. Warmth stirs inside me. I do my best to ignore it.
I lean my head toward her ear. “Are you okay?” I ask, and a shiver runs through her. Part of me revels in the idea that she’s not immune to me.
Not good.
Distance, remember?
She just nods, and I nudge Mayhem into a walk.
For a second, she wobbles, and I slide one arm around her, my hand splaying across her belly and pulling her back against me. She lets out a squeak.
“Relax,” I murmur.
And she does. As the tension seeps from her body, she sinks into me.
Thanouq is riding in front of us, the new girl behind him. My eyes narrow on the man. Just what went on between them that night they spent together? I’m guessing not much—she was too hurt. But all the same, the possibilities torment me.
