Page 108 of Oath of War
My fingers curled into fists, my nails cutting deep into my palms.If this is a trick ...another latawiec sent to torment me.
‘You ...’ I finally managed. ‘You ... Who the fuck are you? Are you evenhim?’
I lunged at Alaric, hitting him in the chest. My attack must have startled him because I got a few hits in, and when he leaned in to grasp my hands, my poorly-aimed punch got him in the face. I gasped, pulling away as I realised two things: one, that he was physicallyreal, and two, that itwasmy Ari—the first thing he’d done as he grasped my wrists was mutter a healing cantrip.
‘Alaric! Oh gods, but how?’ I asked, looking up at him. ‘I thought he was going to kill you, that I’d have to live without you ...’ My words were punctuated by my fists against his chest. ‘How did you escape?’
‘I came to you as soon as I could ... Annika, please, stop,’ he pleaded. ‘Are you hurt?’
I struggled to break free and he raised my hand to inspect it in an all-too-familiar gesture.
‘Stop it. Stop acting like nothing happened, like you haven’t been through hell.’ I pulled my hand back and shook it. ‘This doesn’t hurt. You can’t hurt what’s broken. They killed Katja ...and I mourned you. Do you think any physical pain can match that?’
I cried, relief mixing with anger when I noticed his sorry state. Alaric looked like he had crawled through bloody sewers, and all he cared about was my aching hand. I wanted to wrap my arms around him and kiss every single bruise on his body—right before giving him a few new ones for endangering his life.
But I must have spoken the wrong words because shock widened his pupils, and Alaric released me, dropping to his knees. He pulled a crude-looking dagger from his belt and pressed its tip to his heart.
‘What the fuck are you doing?’ I asked, clasping the blade as a wave of fear washed over me.
‘The honourable thing,’ he answered with a sad smile, reaching for my hand. I watched in disbelief as he wrapped my fingers around the hilt.
‘I made a mistake, ignoring the vjesci’s warning and falling for my sister’s ploy, even feeling something was wrong,’ he said. ‘I endangered your life and almost caused us to lose the battle. If you can’t forgive me, then take my life. It is better I die by your hand than live without you.’
I shook my head, pulling back, but he stopped me. His hand tightened over mine, and our struggle pushed the knife into his flesh.
‘Alaric’va Shen’ra, let go of my hand!’ At the command in my voice, he instantly released me, and I threw the dagger as far away as I could. ‘Stand up!’
‘Annika?’
My name on his lips carried so many unspoken questions. Hope flashed in his eyes, but I shook my head again as I glared at him.
‘How dare you? How could you think I would ever ...?’ My voice wobbled, and I had to stop to calm myself. ‘I was justscared and angry. I thought I would have to beg that bastard for your corpse, and you just jumped out of the bushes like you had just been taking an evening stroll. I overreacted. But thinking I want you dead ... Ari, just stand up and hold me, you idiot.’
He gaped at me. ‘What?’
‘Did the Lich King pour lead into your pointy ears? Stand up, embrace me, and start behaving like my fae before I start to wonder if Cahyon jumped into another body,’ I said.
Ari’s heart hammered against his ribs as he swept me up into his arms. Pressing his cheek to my hair, he breathed in my scent while stroking my back and playing with my braid. I felt his hands shake, his breath hitch, as if he were overwhelmed by a maelstrom of emotion, so I gave him a moment.
Closing my eyes, I listened to the night, the soft hooting of the owls and the rustling of dry autumn leaves. We were so close to Katrass that the air had a distinct salty scent despite the lingering smoke from the wagon’s remains.
‘Hrae, I’m so dirty but ... can I kiss you, Domina?’ Alaric’s lips brushed my ear, causing goosebumps.
‘Do you have to ask?’ I answered, raising my gaze to his.
My heart ached at seeing how tired he was. The dark shadows under his eyes were matched only by the stubble obscuring his sharp jawline. His new look was so unexpected that I held my hand up as he leaned in to kiss me.
‘Wait. You can grow a beard?’ I asked as his lips pressed into my palm.
Alaric chuckled. ‘If I try really hard. Fae kind were not overly blessed with facial hair. Now, can I kiss you, or do you wish to explore what else hides under the layers of dirt?’
I pulled myself higher, standing on my toes. Ari’s lips met mine with a sweet tenderness, and I sighed, melting into his arms. He didn’t rush, perfectly sensing my mood. Finally, he broke the kiss, brushing away strands of my hair from my face.
‘I’m sorry for leaving. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to support you during the battle. I’m sorry for Katja,’ he said, peppering my face with little kisses. ‘Will you forgive me?’
‘It wasn’t your fault ... I scorned you, but if she was my sister, I would probably have done the same ...’ I said, my thoughts drifting to Katja, but my dangerous fae looked so remorseful that I couldn’t help but smile. ‘But I need your promise. Swear you’ll never leave me again.’
‘On my honour!’ Alaric said it so vehemently, and when he sealed the words with a hard and possessive kiss, I felt them imprinted on my soul.
