Page 1 of What Whispers in the Dark
It took every ounce of strength not to dismount Ghost and remain in camp that morning. Alora was feet from him, but he could not tear his gaze from the way she marveled at him—at his magic—even when she hated him.
For the first time in days, his nerves moderately settled. That constant prick needling his frigid veins had lessened to a dull nuisance, knowing she was safely behind his shield, surrounded by his Dragons.
No Raven could find her there.
This is a deletedscene from Chapter Twelve, following the events that occurred the first night and next morning Alora was safely inside the Dragons Legion encampment. She watched Garrik depart on horseback with members of his Shadow Order for Brennus’s war-camp. But what happened in between?
There aretrigger warnings for this chapter.
Garrik straightened his spine and narrowed on Alora’s gemstoned eyes, which were glistening in the sunlight.
She snapped her head away, looking atanythingbut him.
He bit back a smirk, his movements slow and measured as he covered the intervening space between them, radiating self-assurance. “I will return soon,” Garrik said, but from her jawtightening, she was not pleased about it, and he did not miss the hesitated balling of her fists. How she stiffened. Admittedly, he would have too if his captor boasted of their return. Regardless, he urged, “Remember, you are safe here.”
Her mouth tightened like she did not believe him.
That was acceptable—for now.
How could he expect anything less when a bastard rescued her from her city, reformed with destruction and flames? Held captive by the one history famed as entirelysavageand dark and infernal—and was ingrained in every being’s heart from the shadow-veiled shores of Krysenka, up the Blackstone Mountains of Kadamar, and beyond the ice wall of Dellisaerin.
Even he would not be so easily persuaded.
For now, this was a battle for another day. In time, shewouldlearn, like everyone else who passed through his shield and adorned his insignia. If not by example, then by that damned Blazebloom she had charged him with locating. A bargain was a bargain—one he did not knowhowhe allowed himself to make. A moment of insanity perhaps, or because he knew better than to offer her anything less than impossible to gain her trust. If he had offered anything else, she would have refused him, refused to remain safely in camp, and left for a world designed to deliver her a cruel fate.
There was no choice after that.
It was what she wanted—and he would give it like he had given every piece of himself for all the rest. He would collect it. It was as simple as?—
Ghost stomped the dirt, side-eying him with a curt snort.
Alright.Maybe notsosimple.
But Alorawouldentrust him with her life; shemust. He would not permit doubt and suspicion for long. Her safety—herlifeand all those he swore to protect—depended on it.
When Alora said nothing, Garrik absentmindedly patted Ghost’s mane. Grateful that nearly two decades ago she … claimed him as her rider, despite what he was.
Garrik collected the reins. Not that he needed to. Ghost never required control like most simple-minded beasts, but she granted the display of hierarchy until the day she would not.
He scratched her neck and steadied his boots in the stirrups when she pulled her nose forward, jerking the reins.
Someone is impatient.
Ghost’s answering stomp twitched amusement at the corner of his mouth. She was right to be restless.
Garrik swept his gaze over Alora, knowing he should have departed hours ago. Brennus was waiting. And despite Garrik’s High Prince title, it meantnothingin the High King’s camp with Brennus as Elysian’s heir should Magnelis fall. Delaying the High General was as grave as a deserting soldier and punished all the same.
Alora’s attempts at concealing her attentive gaze failed as Garrik pinned her with a knowing glare. Not dark, but harsh enough to cause her breath to hitch—something Garrik took immense pleasure in witnessing. He trailed his silver focus down her clothing to the boots on her feet.
To the treasonous map concealed inside.
Alora blushed, but the female did not balk.
Garrik internally chuckled.Clever thing…
He would permit her to play this scheme, knowing the exact moment she had thieved it from his tent.
Careful warning laced the air. “Do not do anything foolish.”He meant it. Not while he was absent. If she wished to be hunted, he would chase her. But if the stars could grant him one wish, it would be that she wait for when he resided in camp.
