Page 3 of Urn My Love

“Thank you again for your unexpected kindness. I’m feeling much better and have some work to do.” Not wanting August to see the sadness I knew had to be lurking in my eyes, I kept my gaze on the webpage and just used my fingers to wave toward the door.

Instead of leaving, his footsteps drew closer until he could lean his hip against the desk. “What happened earlier? I heard you cry out. When you didn’t answer my knocking, I came in and found you unresponsive. You were ice cold, but covered in sweat. I’m not a doctor, but that’s not normal. Are you sick? Will it happen again?”

Unable to help myself, I snapped, “It might, I don’t know. But I’m not your problem and I don’t know why you suddenly care what happens to me.”

It had come out sharper than I’d intended, and closing my eyes, I tried again. “I’ve got a lot going on and it’s probably just stress. If I feel bad, I’ll have Ryls call a doctor.”

I knew it wasn’t a human illness, but I had no desire to confide anything else in him. He’d been clear he wasn’t sticking around, and I’d never see him again once he left. That meant there was no reason to waste time with small talk.

“You were glowing.” August made no move to leave.

I found a page that looked promising and clicked the link. “I do that sometimes.”

“You aren’t going to tell me what you are, are you?”

“There’s no need. We aren’t mates, nor are we friends. I sincerely appreciate your help during my”—I paused, searching for the right word—“episode. But you’ve made your decision regarding us, without asking for my input. I respect that, but you should probably leave before someone catches you in here. You don’t want us to speak about it again, so I’m guessing you don’t want anyone to know. So you should leave before someone catches you in here and gets the wrong idea.”

August’s breathing was rough, but he remained silent. Ignoring him, I scrolled down the page, reading about the lodge.

It was located in the United States, quite far from the compound, and was in a remote location in the middle of a wilderness accessible only by horseback. I knew Xerxes could get a pilot friend to take me there. He’d already told me he’d provide anything I needed to complete my mission. All I needed to do was say the word.

I’d get a flight to the nearest airport and then take a trail up to the lodge. Having spent countless hours on horseback on Cucalas, I wasn’t worried about my ability to ride, even in unfamiliar terrain.

Clicking print, I stood and gathered the papers from the tiny printer tray. Walking to the bed, I bent and pulled out the backpack Ryls had ordered for me, and stuffed the papers in the front pocket. I continued to ignore the man who remained still, other than his eyes, which tracked every move I made.

It was odd that I’d only felt sadness at his initial denial of the mate pull between us, but after he’d given me a glimpse in the bathroom of what it would be like to have him as my mate, fury had built in my chest. He’d decided he wasn’t worthy to be my mate, without even knowing a single thing about me.

Had he decided I was a delicate woman who’d crumble to pieces the first time he hurt my feelings? To be fair, him finding me mid-vision, or whatever that was, didn’t paint me as a strong woman. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

I was the Queen of the Phoenix Afterlife, and I was preparing to fight a battle between worlds. If I failed, the veil could end up collapsing and taking out one, or both, worlds. I was still rebuilding my strength after using everything I had to get Ryls back to the living. Being yanked through behind her, into a world I wasn’t used to living in, had taken its toll on me too.

But this weakness was temporary, and I knew I would be at full strength soon. And if Ryls was right, I’d be stronger than ever before if I bound myself to a soulmate. But if this man was going to judge me at my weakest, he didn’t deserve me at my best…

Even if he was gorgeous, and every fiber of my body was begging to go to him.

August finally spoke. “Are you going somewhere?”

I pulled a stack of jeans and shirts from the drawer. “Yes. Since I’m leaving, you have no need to rush away. You can stay and visit with Trevor without worrying you’ll bump into me.”

From the corner of my eye, I caught the jerk of a muscle in his jaw. “Where are you going?”

I moved to the closet and grabbed a pair of hiking boots. They weren’t ideal for riding, but they had an okay heel and would do. I quickly packed the basic toiletries and dropped them into the backpack. Opening the nightstand drawer, I grabbed the satellite phone Mace had bought me and stuffed it in the bag. I knew I wouldn’t involve Ryls in this battle unless I had to, but I wanted to be able to check in and assure myself she was safe.

All that was left was to change clothes, but August still hadn’t moved from where he leaned against the desk. His eyes were scanning the website I’d left up, and I kicked myself for not closing it.

An unfamiliar feeling stirred in my chest, and it took me a moment to figure it out. Spite. If he was willing to pretend his soulmate didn’t exist, then I would do the same.

Turning away from him, I slid the thin straps of the gown over my shoulder and let the silk slip down my body to pool on the floor around my feet. Forcing myself to remain unhurried, I grabbed the thick denim jeans and bent to put first one foot and then the other into the legs. They were tight, so it took a bit of wiggling to get them on.

Still acting as though August was invisible, I pulled the tight sports bra over my head. It wasn’t the sexiest choice, but anyone who’s spent some time on a horse’s back knows having the bouncy bits snug was more important than appearance.

Slipping into a short-sleeved shirt, I moved to the mirror to pull my hair up in a ponytail.

Refusing to make eye contact with the man standing in the shadows, I lifted the backpack onto my shoulder and grabbed the jacket off the back of the door, then I headed out of my bedroom to find Xerxes.

It didn’t take long, and after leaving a note for Ryls that I had to check something out, but would check in, I headed out the front door. One of Xerxes’ men sat in a sleek black car, waiting to take me to the airstrip. Not wanting to risk Ryls coming in from the backyard and trying to go with me, I hurriedly slipped into the backseat.

“Thanks for driving me. Let’s go.”

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