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“The better to sneak up on him.”
“Exactly.”
We turn back. Renxel is already working on the maze of knots Rylan created for him. He pretends he doesn’t see us, and we allow him the small dignity of not acknowledging him again.
Once we are out of his sight, Rylan takes my hand.
“I’m sorry. I should have gone through all his stuff. He probably has other people’s gear, too.”
I shake my head.
“Better he should return it. Own up to what he did, don’t you think?”
“You’re right. I wasn’t thinking. My blood was running black.”
That’s a Kiphian phrase I haven’t heard before, but I get it. Some things will poison every cell in your body with anger if you let it.
“We can forgive him now.” I reach for Rylan’s hand. “You found me.”
“If I hadn’t –!”
“But you did.” I stop and turn to him. “I’m really glad you did.”
I wrap my arms around him and lay my cheek on his chest. Even through his coat, I can feel his heart beating.
“It beats for you now.”
I look up at him.
“I thought Kiphians couldn’t read minds.”
“Some feelings are so strong, they aren’t hard to interpret. Our fated mate bond doesn’t exactly let me read your mind, but I can draw a conclusion on the feeling of it.”
We cling to each other for another moment and then, with a decent amount of regret, pull apart.
“We should get going.”
I say it before Rylan can apologize for breaking the embrace, which I’m sure he’s going to do. Am I developing some Kiphian sixth sense? Is it as easy as it is for him to learn human expressions and gestures? Is it the fated mate bond strengthening within me? Whatever it is, I like it.
“I am sorry about your navigator, though. If he doesn’t get it back to you, I’ll buy you a new one when we get home.”
“Deal.”
“You’re not mad?”
“No. And I think I can find my way to the most important destinations without it.”
I cast a pointed look at his crotch and then look at his face. He’s grinning from ear to ear.
“I’m sure you can.”
25
RYLAN
“Ican see it,” she hollers from the base of Mt. Sanat. At long last, the trial is at its end. “The banner’s at the top!”
Iara and I stand hand in hand before the last climb. The humidity spiked hours ago, bringing winds at high speeds through the mountains. Neither of us is up for another night in the tent, giving us little choice but to finish the race in the freezing rain. It pelts us like rocks while the wind steals off with any warmth our bodies can muster.
