His touch calmed me after I hunted the man in Karra. Surely, he could calm me again. Isn’t that what our bond does? It draws us, holds us together, a connection as deep as the sun and moon, forever entwined, forever crafting the rhythm of day and night.
He won’t know you.
Even as the truth needles into my thoughts, my feet follow the urge to see him. I just need to look at him. To touch him. To kiss him…
No, Sol.
You cannot kiss him.
As I step into the loud alehouse, I allow my eyes to adjust to the dimly lit room. The place is packed with patrons, all drinking and laughing. A group of men sing a lewd tune in one corner, while another group engages in a heated argument.
My heart pounds as I scan the room for Hector. It doesn’t take long to discover him in the far corner with Cenric. Hector sits with a tall tankard of ale, his expression formidable.
I take a breath, knowing I need to be close to him.AndI need help.Hishelp.
Over the last three weeks, I have nearly starved, stolen from people, cursed people, and I am no closer to finding Everly and renewing myself. Hector has resources. He can help me.
I take an even deeper breath and walk to his table. Cenric glances up at my approach. Hector doesn’t.
I might as well be a loaf of stale bread for all the interest he shows.
As I slide into the chair across from the men, Cenric lifts an eyebrow. “Who are you?”
“Sol.” I shift to the edge of my seat, taking in Hector more. His silver-blue eyes seem darker in the torchlight, yet I know the passion he hides behind them.
When Cenric’s gaze shifts to my wrapped hands, I hide them under the table. “What’s wrong with you?”
“There’s nothingwrongwith me.” I swallow and continue staring at Hector, who still doesn’t look at me.
He’s never looked more handsome, more captivating. The torchlight frames his strong features and enhances all those angles I have come to appreciate.
A smirk pulls at the edges of Cenric’s mouth. “Are you interested in him?”
“Yes,” I say boldly. “But he will not even look at me.”
Please look at me.
See me, know that I’m yours.
“That’s because he’s not interested inyou, old woman.” Cenric grins, as if he finds great amusement in his words. He probably does.
Heat rises to my cheeks. I forgot all about my disguise, but it’s too late to leave now.
I swallow and lean forward even more, desperate to make eye contact with my husband. Maybe if he looks at me—reallylooks—some of my darkness will fade into the corners of my heart. “Hector.”
Swifter than a breath, Cenric pulls a dagger and places it against my throat. “Who did you say you are?”
Hades!
I forgot my husband isnotHector right now. He’s Gabriel.
“Sol,” I say in a choked voice.
“Well,Sol…”Cenric digs the edge of the blade into my throat, “…tell me one reason why I shouldn’t kill you right now.”
Desperation rises from the pit of my stomach and grips my heart as I struggle to think of a reason why Cenric shouldn’t kill me.
Think, Sol.
