Page 18 of Curse of Thorns
I’m not sure why I insist on reminding myself of that fact so frequently. Perhaps it’s because I need the reminder. I need it so that I’ll remember to stop staring at her slender figure. Or dwelling on her impressive power and hypnotic smile.
Finally, I hop back into Killian. No need to develop sore feet this soon into my journey. Besides, I brought that damn stag for a reason; I may as well ride him.
Once settled on the saddle, I hold my hand out for Caelynn.
“Hell no.”
I purse my lips and consider arguing with her. But I know better.
I canter with Killian for two additional miles, Caelynn keeping up easily, but her gait is awkward. Over time a legitimate limp shows more and more. Finally, I notice her hand fall to her thigh and come away slick with blood.
I pull Killian to a stop immediately. “When did you do that?”
She shrugs, continuing a quick march.
“Caelynn.”
“I injured it during the fight with the assassins. It must have reopened during our race. It’s fine.”
“Get on the damn stag,” I tell her.
She clears her throat, her jaw clenches tight, her arms crossed.
I shake my head and hop onto the ground. “Fine. You ride, I’ll run.”
“I’m not taking your stag from you.”
“Well, I’m not letting you continue on in pain. So, ride with me, or we’ll make camp here for the night.”
“It’s not evennoon.”She holds her palms out in annoyance.
“Then, it will be a long-ass night.”
“You’re so stubborn.”
“You’rejoking.” I blink. She thinks I’m the stubborn one?
She smirks but then rolls her eyes. “Fine! I’ll ride the damn stag. The injury isn’t anything to worry about, though.”
“No reason to stress it.” It does cross my mind that I could heal it. But healing is such anintimatething—my magic, my essence, enters the body, stitching the fae up from the inside out—that I’m not sure I want to do that with Caelynn a second time.
The first time, I hated her. I couldn’t understand my drive to protect her, her hold over me. But now, I know the why, and somehow that makes it worse.
She’s my fated mate.
She’s the partner my magic chose for me. I hardly even know what that means, but that makes it all the scarier. Especially with someone I know I can never truly be with, for many reasons.
So, now that I know—now that I’ve forgiven her for the unforgivable act of killing my brother—I don’t know if I could let myself become that vulnerable with her again. Even if it’s just a shallow leg injury.
I hop back onto Killian easily and hold my hand out for her. She takes it without meeting my eye and leaps up onto the saddle behind me.
She attempts to sit far back on Killian’s rear, but the saddle dips and as soon as we begin moving, she slips closer and closer to me. Her chest presses to my back in only moments. Her annoyed grunt makes me chuckle.
She reluctantly rests her hand on my waist, and my heart stutters a beat. Her body heat sears my skin.
“Is this okay?” she whispers.
“Yes,” I say with an easy chuckle that isn’t at all a representation of the level of ease inside my body. I’m wound like a top, ready to explode.
