Dalkhan set me back on my feet, my legs trembling.Unable to support my weight without his steadying hands.My mouth tingled from his kiss, swollen and sensitive.The taste of him lingering on my tongue.
I stared at him, dazed and confused.Yearning for more.
He responded with a knowing smirk before vanishing into shadow and flame.Leaving me breathless,wanting, and cursing his name.
I had played right into his twisted game, and he had won.
I hated him for it.Almost as much as I despised wanting him to do it again.
The walk back to the gathering was without a doubt, the most humbling experience of my life.I was sweaty, out of breath, sore in places I shouldn’t be, and in direneed of far more than Dalkhan had given me.
Every single step, I cursed him.Cursed that smug look on his face.Cursed the way I had played right into his little game.
I dragged my fingers through my tangled hair, my scalp stinging as sweat-dampened strands wrapped around my knuckles.
Well, isn’t this just perfect.
As I neared the heart of the gathering, the night was still alive with the energy of the Hunt.Bodies lounged in the glow of the scattered firelight, some caught in whispered conversations, others tangled in far more.A few were still breathless from the thrill of the chase.Their hands roaming, lips brushing, laughter spilling into the night like smoke.
Meanwhile, I looked like I had been dragged through the forest by a wild animal—because in a way, I had been.I just wanted to get back to my room, collapse into bed, and pretend none of this had ever happened.
“Elira!”Theo shouted, far too cheerful.
He stood near the fire, waving me over with a grin that screamed mischief.Beside him, Mira’s eyes widened as they landed on me, her lips curving into a knowing smile.
And Tavrik—The sheer disappointment radiating from his was palpable.He stood with his arms crossed and jaw clenched, looking like he had been personally betrayed by the Heavens.
I trudged over, resisting the urge to murder Theo.Theo’s face lit up as he took in my wild hair and dishevelled clothes.
“What happened to you?”He laughed, bending forward to get a better look.
I shot him a violent glare.The infuriating asshole took a mere half-step back, palms raised in surrender.
Mira, merciful as ever, handed me a cup of water.I could’ve kissed her.
I downed the entire thing in one go, drinking like I’d been wandering the desert for days.Water spilled down my chin, dripping onto my already damp clothes.
“So,” I managed, still catching my breath.“How was it?”
Theo beamed.“I caught my prey.”His gaze slid to Mira before winking at her.
Mira’s skin flushed deeper, her teeth catching her bottom lip.Her eyes glinted with satisfaction.He didn’t need to say anything more; Mira wasabsolutelygoing to tell me every detail later, whether I wanted to hear it or not.
Tavrik however, was the complete opposite.
Theo had turned toward him, barely suppressing the joy in his voice.“Tavrikdidn’t manage to catchhisprey.”
Theo whispered it, just loud enough for everyone to hear.
Tavrik spun, shooting him a glare so sharp it could’ve cut through steel.“I’m glad you find it amusing, Theo.Nowdrop it.”
Theo only grinned wider.He absolutely would not be dropping it.
I walked over and clapped a hand on his shoulder.“Don’t worry,” I muttered.“My night didn’t end well either.”
Tavrik grunted in understanding, as if we were both victims of the same war.Mira’s expression dimmed, her brows drawing together.
I chuckled, waving a hand between us, forcing myself to smile.“It’s fine.I still had fun.”
