Page 221 of A Dagger of Ice and Intrigue
The two of us sitting out on a rare starry night, munching, and just listening to each other’s breaths.
For once, the silence felt comforting.
By the fire, the warriors began to light blood-red candles.
“Damn, I didn’t bring any,” I said.
Ryker chuckled and reached back underneath the furs, pulling out two candles, tied together with a white ribbon and a twig of pine instead of a bow. “Mrs. Thornbrew is always prepared.”
I was struck once again by the unfamiliar thrill of being cared for in the smallest little details that brought so much comfort.
I was usually the one to remind my father to take his ceremonial dagger or Dara to not forget the spell book. Again.
It seemed I didn’t have to think about absolutely everything in Solkar’s Reach–because people remembered just because.
“One other thing.” He righted his head and cleared his throat. “At one point in the ritual, I’ll give you a signal and you’ll have to step back for a few moments. I need to cast my powers out so everything in the circle can sense it. It helps them feel grounded–and I can take away the aches and pains of the road, all in one go.”
“Won’t that tire you out even more?”
He shrugged his unoccupied shoulder. “I’ll sleep after.”
I tilted my face up toward him. His neck was so close–completely exposed, another show of trust; especially important in the Clan world, where some had been known to rip out their enemies’ throats. The Butcher, that awful Serpent general, had been jailed for life because of the brutality with which he did it.
But trust went both ways.
“I don’t need to step out of the circle,” I whispered.
Ryker closed his eyes as my breath glided up his skin. “You said you didn’t want my power in you.”
After last night, that particular detail had taken on a whole new meaning. One that made my cheeks warm up.
“Without my approval. I’m approving now,” I said.
A tremor coursed through him. No matter how fast he tensed his muscles to keep it hidden, I’d felt it–and I loved it.
He still hadn’t opened his eyes, as if fearing this all might not be real if he did.
“Are you sure?” he asked, voice now gravel.
“Yes.” I rubbed my cheek against his shoulder. He’d been open with me, I’d pay him with the same coin. “My back is really killing me.”
Laughter vibrated in his chest, travelling through me and heating me up. He rose and offered me his hand.
I took it without hesitation.
As I settled next to him, the metal slash of weapons filled the air. The warrior took out daggers that glimmered in the fire’s dance.
“What are they doing?” I asked, sliding closer to Ryker. It seemed I always did that when I was scared or unsure. My body naturally gravitated toward him before my mind could stop it.
“Getting ready for the ritual,” he said. “In the Blood Brotherhood, even protection is written in blood.”
Chapter
Forty-Eight
ALLIE
The flames danced higher as the wind hissed around us, casting grim marks on the rock. The warriors’ shadows rose in the flickering light; their daggers became claws, their mouths fanged as they chanted toward the stars.
