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“That I have a fucking mate,”I yelled through my mind. My hands curled into fists so tightly that my nails dug into my palms. Tears streamed down my face in anger or fear or—
“Does he know what? What’s going on, Kya? What’s he saying?” Nikan rushed over, his face twisted with concern.
Odarum dropped his head to be level with mine, his head so close I could almost touch it.
“Yes,”he said in a calm yet lethal voice.“I know. I have known for some time. It is not my place to interfere. This should not be surprising to you.”
My body shook, adrenaline coursing through my veins. Of course he wouldn’t have told me. He can’t.
“Kya?” Nikan prodded.
“Nothing. Let’s go,” I said, voice clipped.
My mate. My mate is a Lord. And he rejected me. Told me to run.
“Wha—” he started.
I spun on my heel and walked away. I mounted my horse and trotted off through the field, not waiting to see if Nikan and Odarum followed.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Kya
Islept under the stars that night. Too hurt and angry to be under the confines of rock or cloth. I needed to gaze up at the wonder of the universe and let it come crashing down on me. I laid in the lush grass of the plain, my hands clasped behind my head, letting the soft breeze cool me down and calm me. I concentrated on the sounds of the insects, the wind blowing my loose hair, the grass tickling the back of my neck, the soothing swirling inside of me, and the sky above.
It shouldn’t have bothered me so much. I should have been stronger. While I may have been keeping myself together on the outside, my soul was cracked, splintering under the weight of it all. My mate’s rejection was the final blow, splitting the hard stone of my emotions and allowing them to pour out.
Beneath the stars was where I could go to get away and clear my head. Those little dots of light in the sky promised hope, and it was awe-inspiring to imagine the other realms that could be out there. Ones without diseased land and lost families. Ones without Trials and thieves and denied bonds. Just for a moment, I allowed myself to wish for a world rid of troubles and worries.
I didn’t sleep that night. There was too much on my mind. Silence filled my throat the next day. I didn’t know where to start, there was so much to say that I couldn’t speak at all.
Nikan seemed to understand and let me be, leaving me to my thoughts and leading the way. I didn’t even know where we were going as I blindly followed. Odarum stayed close, and I think Nikan had told him that I needed space to work things out in my own way until I was ready.
Once the sun set, we made camp for the night and Nikan spoke.
“We’re in Ulrik now,” he said softly. An offer to talk and bring me out of whatever this was. He was sitting next to me in front of the fire and looking into the flames.
“Why?” I glanced at him.
I could tell that we were farther north from the cooler temperature. He always knew what I needed. I leaned my head on his shoulder.
“After you bolted from Moury’s room to go Gods know where, I met with a contact who said there was word of a Roav in a small village in Ulrik.” The corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
“A ‘Roav’ huh? Wonder who that could be, since there are justsomany of us.” I lifted my head and winked at him.
He looked at me questionably.
“There are rumors that there are at least a dozen Roav out there.” I chuckled, remembering the conversation with Njall.
“Really?” Nik asked.
“Apparently.” I shrugged.
He shook his head and chuckled. “We should get to the village where Malina was last spotted shortly after morning. We can track her down from there.”
I nodded slowly.
“Hey.” He elbowed me gently. “You good?”
