Page 69 of The Barbaric Fae's Soul

Huh.

“Have you talked to anyone else about it?” I asked, because I was a little worried about Summer and Rosalie. Alarm bells went off in my mind when it went there. “And Presley? How’s Presley?”

“I’m sure she’s fully-recovered by now. Her injuries looked painful, but she was otherwise fine last I saw her. Summer came and checked on you twice, so I know she’s alright. Worried about you, but seems to trust me to look after you. She and Vuvim explained how the fight ended, and then let me know that the klynnas hadn’t come back, though I would’ve seen them if they had. They’ve been dealing with the stressed crowds of fae.”

“That’s good.” I let my eyes close, too exhausted to hold them open. I hadn’t been sleeping while the mud and blood worked on me; I’d been unconscious, and healing slowly.

“Stay awake, Thorns. I need to clean you off, to see if we need fresh mud or if the magic has taken care of you.

“Alright.” I wrestled my eyes back open. “Are we going to the river?”

“Yes.”

I nodded against his chest as he continued walking. “Do you think the klynnas can communicate mentally?”

“It’s a reasonable possibility, since mated fae can. Perhaps mated klynnas can, or their minds work on a different level than ours, so all of them communicate that way.”

Hmm.

I was intrigued by the thought, but unsure whether I’d find out the truth. After I was clean, I would ask the creature, I decided.

“Thank you for protecting me,” I told Aev quietly.

“You had already protected yourself. And besides, I should’ve seen the klynna fly away with you. I should’ve noticed you being taken. I couldn’t even hunt you here on my own.” Frustration flooded his voice.

“Did you have to find Teris?”

“Yes.” The word was short, and hard.

My voice was softer when I replied, “Whatever possessiveness was caused by the bond should’ve mostly faded by now, right?” It had been… five days? Six? Seven? Honestly, everything had been a blur since then, and I wasn’t sure how long I’d been unconscious in the forest.

“My desire to protect you has nothing to do with the bond, Thorns.” His arms tightened around me slightly, holding me closer. “I’ve told you that.”

“I know. I’m a pain.”

He gave me a low chuckle. “You are not.”

“Oh, I am. I know I am. But you like me anyway. I don’t know why, but I’ll take it.” I closed my eyes and leaned against his chest.

“It’s because you’re light, and happy. Because you see the good in nearly every situation, and smile even when there’s no good to be found. You’re like the sun, Thorns—you make everything brighter. And I know the darkness far too well to walk away from my own personal sunshine.”

I opened my stinging eyes. “What am I even supposed to say to that?”

“Kiss me?” he suggested.

I laughed softly. “I think we should wait out the bond a little longer, just to make sure. But I think you’re it for me too, Aev. That terrifies me, but it’s true. My life has been so much better with you in it.”

“I don’t see how. Everything has gone to hell since you and I became friends. I even released the klynnas.” His voice was grim.

I flashed him a small smile. “That wasn’t your fault. And hey, when everything goes to hell, everyone needs someone to hang on to. You became that someone for me.”

“So I’m nothing but an anchor to you?” he asked, voice playful.

I laughed. “Exactly.”

He grinned down at me, looking so much more alive than he had before our bond. Before he was freed from Naomi. And I decided that she was right—that they were just a horrible match.

Whatever Vevol’s reasoning was for pairing them together, I was so damn grateful they were now apart that I didn’t even have the words to describe it.

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