Page 59 of The Eternal Mirror
“Get out,” he snarls.
Thorben doesn’t answer, but neither does he leave. I’m about to say something, to try and bring Khaosti down before he ruins our chances of working with the rebellion forever by turning their commander to a crispy crisp. But then he takes a deep breath and closes his eyes for a few seconds. When he opens them, the rage is gone. He’s getting better at controlling his emotions.
Though maybe Fury was the angry one, and now Fury is no more.
I press my forehead to his chest, just for a second. Just long enough to breathe him in. Spice and warmth and safety. Then I rip myself away, like I’ve touched a live wire.
“I’m hungry,” I mutter.
Khaosti’s lips twitch. “You’re always hungry.”
It’s true. And right now, it’s easier to focus on food than on how close I am to falling apart.
“I missed you,” he says softly.
I feel the words hit, low and hard. Like a blow I didn’t brace for. I missed him too. Gods, I missed him so much, it hollowed me out. But the second I let that truth rise, it’s followed by another—what if I lose him?
And just like that, panic claws its way up my throat. Not because I don’t love him. But because I do. Too much.Dangerouslymuch.
Enough that if something happened to him—if he died—I’m not sure there’d be anything left of me worth saving. I flinch without meaning to. My feet shuffle backward. Like distance could fix this.
“Amber?” he says, sharp now. Growling.
I force my eyes back to his. “I missed you too.” I just need to get through the next hours, until Sheela gets back. Then I’ll be out of here.
He gives me a long look, then a sharp nod. Like I’ve disappointed him but it’s nothing he wasn’t expecting. I’m good at that. But he doesn’t push, just turns to Thorben, all sharp angles and cool arrogance. I feel the love twist in my chest so tight, I could choke on it.
“Am I a free man?” he asks Thorben.
Thorben’s nostrils flare. I don’t think he’s impressed with Khaosti’s attitude. But he shrugs. “You are our guest.”
“Good, then feed my woman.”
He doesn’t let go of me all the way to the big tent I presume is the dining hall. Inside, Zayne and Josh are already seated, Grimlet perched on Josh’s shoulder, nibbling something. The smell of food fills the air. I hope they have a vegetarian option. I take a seat across from Zayne at the large table that runs down the middle of the room. It’s empty except for us. Maybe everyone ate earlier.
“What about Killian and the others?” I ask.
“They have been released,” Thorben replies.
At that moment, Killian appears in the doorway, closely followed by Jack and Laura. I’d get up and give them a hug, but Khaos still has hold of my hand. I hope he realizes I’ll need it for eating.
Killian’s eyes light up when he sees me. He hurries over, and his eyes narrow when he notices our hands entwined on the table. Maybe he hadn’t realized that Khaos and I were a thing. Maybe Khaos is making it clear.
“I knew you’d come and rescue us,” he says. “Hi, Zayne. Josh—see you’ve got a new friend.”
They sit down, and soon food is brought. I tug my hand free and tuck into some sort of vegetable and rice dish. It’s good.
“So when do we head back to Valandria?” Khaos asks. “Or are you taking them back to Earth?”
“It’s up to them,” I say, then lower my voice. “Could you go with them? Make sure they stay safe until I get there?”
He goes still, then his nostrils flare. “And where will you be?”
I purse my lips. But I’m sure he’ll understand. Or not. “Once I’ve spoken to Sheela, I’m heading back to the palace.”
He puts down his fork and turns to stare into my face. I somehow manage not to flinch at his expression. “You’re going back?” Khaos snarls, his tone incredulous.
I have to be cool, calm, and collected about this. So I nod. “Yes. As soon as I’ve seen Sheela. There’s something I need to tell her.”
