A memory assaults my mind, one where Farin’s arms wrap around the backs of my legs, hauling me into his arms as he presses his lips to mine…
I shake it away.
“I’ve found some books in the library,” Asha says, snatching me from my thoughts. “Some on potions, others on creatures that can inflict sleep. I don’t know if there’s a book out there that contains the answer to saving him, but if there is, I’ll find it.”
“What?” My question sounds hollow, as I’m somewhat stunned by Asha’s vow. It means no more than a vow coming from my lips would, since neither of us is bound by the fae curse, but still.
“You don’t have to do that.” I try to keep the begging out of my voice, the please don’t do this. Please don’t be kind to me. Not here. Not now. Not before I ruin you.
“I want to.” The way Asha says it makes it sound like it should be obvious.
My legs are trembling now, and I can only be thankful that Asha’s human vision won’t notice now that I’ve stepped halfway into the shadows.
Az is just behind the tree, the one to which Asha has her back turned. I can feel his heart pounding with excitement. I can feel the blood rushing to his limbs. He peeks behind the tree, just barely, and when he glimpses her, his breath catches.
Fates, I realize for the first time, he really does have feelings for her. Part of me has wondered if he’s been exaggerating his relationship with Asha, the childhood friendship he’d claimed bound them.
I can tell now he’s not exaggerating.
Maybe it’s for the best. Maybe it’s Az and Asha who are Fated. Maybe, if their lives were woven into a tapestry, this is how their story would always end. Maybe they’re bound together by something more ancient, more primal than even a fae marriage bond.
Maybe this will not end badly for Asha.
“I can tell you’re afraid,” says Asha. “You’re skilled at hiding it, but I recognize the signs. The jokes—they’re supposed to mask the fear, aren’t they?”
I swallow, the lump in my throat growing uncomfortably large. “You seem like you’ve gotten the best of your fears.”
Asha’s gaze waters over, wanders off into the dark distance. “If that’s what you think, I guess I haven’t lost my knack for acting.”
Dread coils in my gut, and I want to scream, to beg her to stop talking, lest, lest…
“There’s someone out there who wants me. Wants to use me for evil. Everyone else prefers to believe he’s moved on to easier targets, but I don’t think any of them quite understand. They don’t know him like I do…”
Asha’s still looking off into the distance, stepping backward, as if to rest her back against the tree. One more step, and the shadows will consume her.
Az shifts in the trees, readying to pounce.
Just step to the side. Into the shadows where no one will see, I tell myself.
Oh, why am I so terribly awful at listening to myself?
“Asha. Asha, you need to go back inside.”
Az’s heart practically stops. Then his pulse races, anger and confusion practically barreling off of him. I watch him step forward, his arms outstretched to grab Asha and steal her away, but my comment has her sidestepping into the light.
“Asha,” I say, this time with enough force to my voice to alert the guard falling asleep on the balcony ahead. Voices murmur from up above, signaling to me I’ve got their attention.
More importantly, signaling to Az I’ve got their attention.
I grit my teeth, confusion washing over Asha’s face.
“What’s wrong?” she asks.
“Your fear.” I make a careful effort to flare my nostrils, clamp my jaw. “It’s making your heart race.”
A breeze flutters through the gardens, and I seize the opportunity to gasp.
I let my canines out to shine. Asha’s eye goes wide at the sight of them.
“Run,” I beg, and she does.
CHAPTER 16
BLAISE
It’s no use avoiding Az.
Not since handing over Nox’s and Zora’s bodies back in Mystral.
I practically offered him my heartstrings on a platter.
By letting Asha go just now, I very well might have handed over Nox’s and Zora’s hearts as well.
My chest tightens at the thought, my canines drawing blood from where I forced them through my gums to frighten Asha away.
I don’t mind that the guards on the balcony watch as I slink into the shadows. When Asha tells them I warned her that a craving struck me, they’ll think I’m trying to avoid temptation. Perhaps they’ll even think I’m out hunting for animal blood to satiate my thirst.
Even if they doubt my intentions, even if they think I’m a potential hazard to the human residents, I’ve had enough run-ins with the Othian guards to know they’re unlikely to risk their own skin for the sake of the humans.
