After the bath, we lay together in a narrow bed, watching the dying flickers of flame in the small fireplace. Tynan’s lips gently pressed against my temple, his arms wrapped around my shoulders, guarding me in my sleep.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
FRID
Iexhaled looking at myself in the mirror. The soft flickers of the gentle evening light filled the room. Victor sat on the bed behind me, with his hands in his hair. He was not too happy that I was leaving, but there was nothing I could do. Our stay in the compound depended on me bringing value to the sisters. They were keeping their part of the deal. Victor and I were fed, and he was being healed. It was my turn to uphold my end. I lowered my gaze to the dagger I held in my hand. The polished, narrow blade and the comfortable handle made for my hand. I remembered how Victor unwrapped it and shaved the wood to make it smaller, then he carefully secured thin leather strips. He spent hours doing it, and then contrary to what I expected, he never brought it up, never reminded me that it was him who made it fit me so perfectly, as if it was part of my body. He could be very attentive sometimes. I stole another glance at him.
“It’s not a big deal. I'll be fine,” I said.
“Why won’t they let me go with you?”
“I told you, they don’t trust you.”
“But what if you get caught? What if you run into a monster dragon?” He looked up at me.
Our eyes met in the reflection.
“I have my sacred water.”
“What if there’re two of them?”
My skin crawled as I imagined several monsters chasing me through the air. That was the problem. With two dragons chasing me at once, there was only a slim chance that I would survive. But, I believed in my good fortune. I have been lucky before.
“I’m sure I can?—”
“This is insane.”
“Believe me, I’m capable?—”
“I know you are. But what if something goes wrong. You’ll be by yourself in the wastelands.”
“Honestly! What a way to build my confidence, Vic.” I turned, too annoyed to be intimidated by those prospects.
“I have to go with you.”
And again, my irritation flourished beyond belief. All the talk about us being together seemed like a cruel joke. If we ever tried, we would kill each other on day three. Somewhere in the back of my mind, a tiny, aggravating voice whispered:
Maybe sex would help?
I gritted my teeth, turning away, angered by my own thoughts.
“I have to go.” I sheathed my dagger. When I turned, he was standing right behind me. “When did you...?” I exhaled, but stopped, surprised by the strange expression in his eyes. A crease formed between his eyebrows, his hands clenched into fists. “What?” I asked, trying to figure out the change in him.
He did not answer. Instead, he stepped forward, closing the space between us, and wrapped his arms around me. His silky smooth hair brushed against my cheek. For a moment, I froze, incapable of processing his unusual behavior.
We never hugged. Not even with just one arm, not ever. I already knew how strong he was under the loose shirt he wore. I had seen his muscular stomach and strong arms many times before. But, pressed against his chest, I could feel it with my whole body.
It was wrong on so many levels. He clearly had only friendly feelings toward me, but I experienced something else entirely. The closeness of his body, the pleasant, fresh scent of his skin did not help. The next moment, and I was imagining tracing my lips along his neck. I pushed him away, noticing the warmth rising from somewhere deep in the pit of my stomach.
“I need to go,” I said.
“Frid?”
I glanced back at Victor and saw a deep, tortured expression in his eyes. He looked so handsome, so lost.
“I’ll be careful, I promise.”
I stepped through the threshold where Amira was already waiting for me.
