A side of me longs for it, longs to grab Kassandra and never look back. The other side would mourn the garden I have tended so faithfully. But I would leave a thousand gardens behind if it meant protecting Kassandra and getting away from this horrid place.
“I haven’t convinced Luc or the rest of the leaders,” Gabriel says after a moment.
“Why?” Lightly, I trace one of the ancient words etched into Gabriel’s skin, marveling at the details.
“There are other people to consider. We cannot just leave them behind.”
“Who can’t you leave behind?” I continue touching him, feeling those lines. Those words. Those symbols.
He grabs me with his left hand, stopping my movements. “Praxis, for one. His family is here. And they are very attached to this place.”
“Why do you have this?” I pull away from him and allow my knuckles to skim over the tattoo.
He shrugs, grabs my hand for a second time, and removes it from his arm.
Embarrassment floods my cheeks. “Am I not allowed to touch you? I didn’t make the same vow you did.”
“I’m well aware.” He rolls away from me, presenting his back. Shutting me out.
“Gabriel.” Sadness grips my chest at his rejection.
He doesn’t speak.
Again, I shift to stare up at the ceiling. He’s as cold as a statue. As unfeeling as a pile of ash.
“Must you be so calloused?” The question comes out small. Fragile. “Do you hate me? Is that why you push me away?”
“I don’t…” He exhales and starts over. “It is better if you don’t touch me.”
“Why?”
“I haven’t been with a woman in months,” he says, his voice almost gruff.
“Oh.”
Then, my touchdoesaffect him.
The knowledge burrows into my heart. I smile at him, even though he has his back turned. I reach for my blanket and jerk it to my chin as another smile widens my mouth.
Maybe he feels something too, and Iamhard to resist.
ChapterThirty-One
“Sol.”
I stop milking Jersa, the cow, the following day, and turn to that familiar voice. I haven’t heard him speak my name in four summers. Four, long summers.
“Malachi.” I straighten and smile at him, taking in his blond hair and his storm-colored eyes.
“So, youdoremember me?” Mirth twinkles behind his stare as he grabs a stool, places it opposite me, and sits. “I was beginning to think you didn’t.”
“How could I forget you when you were constantly in my barn when we were children?”
He allows his gaze to rove over the barn we currently sit in. “Kind of like this one.”
“Yes, except…”This one is Bloodstone.
My stomach clenches against the reality of our situation. I’m here to avenge my mother. He’s here to…
