Carver sits lazily at my side. The memory of Nollix’s lips against mine flutters through me every few moments, and my cheeks burn as if he can somehow read my thoughts..
And to my surprise, Jeriko and Nollix are arguing.
“I’m not going on a fucking death mission because you want to bury your cock in Princess Shitstorm over there.”
My brows lower as a scowl shapes my lips. Carver’s attention is pinned on Jeriko. His pretty irises gleam with hate. A scar across his knuckles gleams as he opens and closes his fists.
My fingers push over the back of his hand. His smooth skin is warm against mine. The small touch deters his hard gaze. It softens his features. For several seconds, he just stares at my hand against his.
“Stop fidgeting, you’re driving me crazy,” I whisper.
“That’s not what this is about. He’s a madman. He’s going to kill her, and then he’s going to kill us for being guilty by association.” Aggression shakes through Nollix’s voice. I feel his anger ripping through my chest.
“Speak for yourself. I’m not at all associated with her. I wasn’t seen in his chambers like Cameron was. As of now, I’m not chasing after her. I know what loyalty means, and I’m not loyal to a shamed little girl who can’t even control her magic.” She says it as if I’m an entirely different species. She says it like I’m a disgusting little thing she can’t even imagine being near.
It makes my blood boil.
Leaves start to swirl at my feet as I keep my eyes locked on Jeriko.
With the turn of the heavy winds, Nollix halts his argument. His gaze swings to me as if he can feel every part of me.
“Calm down.” Nollix’s wild eyes are fuming just like mine are. Our magic mingles between us. It’s a current of power. Mine pushes to gain momentum, and his caresses to slow me down.
I can feel it deep down inside of me. When they accepted me into the Wild Hunt, I never realized a bond was created. In a way, it’s the only thing that made me feel alive over the last few years.
Carver leans into me, brushing his palm across the scar along my knuckles, just as I had done to him.
I’m too much like my father. Too powerful. Too reckless. Too dangerous. The difference is I hate him enough to know I never want to become him. I can’t let Jeriko be right about me. I refuse to.
“Just breathe, Vi.” Carver’s voice is low and comforting. His warm breath fans against my jaw.
My eyes close slowly, and I inhale deeply through my nose.
“Bitch isn’t even stable enough to kill the king. So if your reasoning is right, we’re dead either way.” Jeriko’s harsh words snap my eyes open in an instant.
I hate that she’s right. I also hate that I love the swarming magic that’s ripping through my chest. It’s a shaking feeling that pumps through my blood.
With a wild gust of wind, my body breaks down into that deadly magic, and the breeze carries my particles of life in the wind.
And in a flash, I’m standing right before her.
“I do not need your help.” I love seeing the seething look in her eyes. “So stay here. Keep safe. Hide away and let us take care of our problems for you.”
All eyes are on me as I initiate a stand-off between us. Waves of Jeriko’s power wrap around mine, pushing and threatening. It coils around mine like a snake. And I let it. I let her try to snuff my magic from existence.
Her breathing becomes heavy as she squeezes tighter and tighter.
Until I give a small, insignificant little shove right back.
The unseen magic between us bursts from my force. It collides with the wind and throws the tall woman before me to the dirt.
My frame is unmoving. I stand tall over her body, my jaw ticking with fury.
“Stay seated, Jeriko. We’ll see you soon.”
I don’t give her a second glance before gripping Cameron’s hand and letting the wind pull me away. It’s a slow process at first; a few grains slip away into the morning sky. Then it’s as if the breeze owns my soul as much as I do. It tears greedily until I’m gone entirely.
The other two men follow after me. Their magic brushes along mine, tingling against me.
