Page 75 of The Kingdom of Eternal Ice
Shayan nods. “Let’s go.”
Once outside in the fresh air, I can feel my senses calming down. Being so close to Shayan and yet so distant is killing me, but right at the moment I realized I have a human mate, I knew it would be more difficult. He isn’t repulsed by me, though, and maybe after I return from the mission, I will talk to him about the mate bond.
“Please be careful,” Shayan says much to my surprise, “on your mission, and return in one piece.” At this, even Orion forgets to breathe.
We walk up towards the lake. It’s a dark night, but it’s still beautiful. “It’s just a regular mission,” I say softly, my heart beating faster than usual. “I’ve done these a hundred times already.”
“That’s an exaggeration,” Shayan says.
I blush slightly at him figuring me out so easily. “Alright… maybe… ten missions, but it’s still just a scouting one.”
“Please, just promise me.” Shayan says as he turns to me.
He has full lips, beautifully curved, and I just wish I had the guts to lean forward and kiss him, but as it is now, I can only gaze into his eye like a lovesick pup. “I will be careful,” I say awkwardly. “You too.”
Shayan smiles slightly. “I will.”
I swear, seeing him smile just melts me into a puddle of affection. “When I return, can we talk?” I hear myself say without thinking further.
Smooth, really smooth, Orion grumbles.And subtle.
“Talk?” Shayan blinks. “Well, of course we can.” He pauses. “Don’t you find it repulsive?” he asks.
“What is supposed to be repulsive?”
“My arm?” Shayan says. “It’s not real. And my eye.”
“You look like a warrior, a hero, like someone who others will tell lots of heroic stories about,” I say with conviction. “Nothing about you is repulsive! You are perfect the way you are.”
Shayan looks at me, surprised. “My… you wolves…” He shakes his head, sounding amused, but doesn’t finish his sentence.
“I will bring you a gift,” I blurt out, making my demise even worse.
Shayan stares at me and raises his brows, though I can swear I can see his lips curling into a smirk. “Just don’t make it raw meat.”
“No raw meat, got it!”
We could make it dried meat, Orion muses.Or maybe grilled meat. Or fur from our prey! I have many good ideas.
Something tells me that Shayan might not really appreciate Orion’s so-called great ideas.How about we bring some spices or…I pause.Ingredients to cook for him; a local dish!
Human, this isn’t the worst idea you had so far!
With both my wolf and I having a plan, we both fall into silence, just enjoying Shayan’s presence. We walked along the lake until we reached the sacred tree, the dry little thing that once was blessed by the goddess. Still, everyone here, me included, feels weirdly attached to it.
“Is it blossoming?” Shayan asks all of a sudden.
“That would be impossible,” I say. It hasn’t bloomed for many centuries. I lean a fraction forward to inspect it. “I don’t think so, or does it?”
Shayan nods. “Must be the light or the lack thereof.”
twenty-five
Travelling
*AZADEH*
I’ve just packed the most necessary clothes, and even borrowed some pants from Alana. It’s just easier to travel with them. Simin will stay here in the castle and promised to help Kilah.
