He did a slow blink, and one unconvinced brow inched up slightly.
“Genuinely, possessiveness is a beast. You don’t want to feed it.”
He stared at me like I was being dramatic. Like there was no possible way he wouldn’t manage to get his emotional situation under control.Says the man who still hasn’t moved his hand from my pink parts.
“You really think you can easily wrangle it into submission while at the same time encouraging it?” I tilted my head, my smile one of sympathy. “You really are the cutest thing.”
His eyes narrowed, and then he pinched my nipple.
I hissed, placing a protective hand over the smarting bud. “Hey, asshole, that hurt.”
He planted a fist either side of my head, his sober gaze boring into mine, telling me that he meant business here.
In truth, exclusivity would suit me a little too much. I’d prefer to not share him, so I had no actual interest in pushing him on this. If he wanted to ignore my advice, that was his choice. “Fine, but you can’t claim that you weren’t warned.”
He emitted aNotedgrunt, bit my chin, and slipped off the bed.
We both used his bathroom and then, since I didn’t have any fresh clothes, I pulled on what I’d worn the previous day while Talon dressed. Both done, we left the private barracks and began a walk toward the stables.
Several officiates were around—mostly those who were getting started on whatever jobs they had around the garrison. None missed Talon and I walking together, so they would know I’d spent the entire night in his bedchamber. News of that would no doubt spread fast.
Wonderful.
I slid him a sideways glance. He didn’t seem bothered. If anyone stared at us a little too long or hard, he shot them a look that made them avert their gaze fast.
At the stables, he made a beeline for Xanthos’s stall while I—after having given the horse a quick pat—headed to the tack room to dig out my hygiene pack and fresh clothes. As I readied myself by washing and changing, I worked to calm my nerves and immerse myself in a mental ‘braced for anything’ zone.
A lot rode on today. I couldn’t afford to fail Xalbia. I honestly didn’t know what would become of me if I did, I only knew that I’d likely hate it.
When I exited the tack room after putting my things away, I couldn’t help but frown. Talon stood in the aisle with Xanthos, who was saddled up and ready to go. This was a first.
Halting, I narrowed my eyes. “Are we leaving Deimos?”
Talon shook his head and guided Xanthos out of the stables.
Trailing behind them, I walked outside to find the other thirty-seven candidates—three had died during yesterday’s battle—stood around with Keyes and Ajax. Both Marshalls were mounting a horse of their own.
Apparently, we were skipping breakfast today. How lovely.
Talon let out a sharpLine upwhistle.
As we obeyed, I exchanged trembly smiles of greeting with a few candidates. All seemed as nervous as they did eager to get started. Well, the sooner we began, the sooner our forty days of misery were up.
Riding Xanthos, Talon took the lead as we strode out of the garrison with Ajax and Keyes taking up the rear. Near the front of the line, I felt my brow furrow as Talon took a left rather than head for the city’s exit. Wait, were we being taken to the audience chamber? My stomach clenched at the idea.
To my relief, Talon passed the pretty gardens that led to the tower. As we stepped onto the pastureland beyond where the Arions usually grazed, I felt my frown deepen. We’d never been brought this way before and … I didn’t really know how to feel about it.
On the one hand, it was a very nice change to not be heading into Reaper’s Pines. I would much prefer to trek around the land that existed within the city walls—there was no fog, no beasts, no creepy critters, so this would be a much more pleasant hike. However, I didn’t trust the situation, because this wasXalbia.Nothing about it was pleasant. Ever.
We walked and walked, passing thistles and ant mounds and piles of horse manure. The land went on for miles, all grass and wildflowers and brambles. There were also berry bushes here and there, along with a small creek.
It was relatively quiet. Theshushingof breeze-ruffled grass mingled with neighs, snorts, tail swishes, and the muted clop of hooves.
We stopped for a break after an hour or so. Talon stuck close to me while Keyes stayed near Atticus. Apparently, the officiates intended to ensure that there was no repeat of the swamp incident.
During our break, candidates were permitted to sip water but were given no food. Few words were exchanged between us, the atmosphere thick with nervousness and anticipation.
As I drank from my pouch, I caught sight of some people staring at the bite mark on my neck—including Ajax and Keyes. It would probably be gone in a matter of hours, since it wasn’t a deep wound, but there would be no hiding its existence from anyone. News of it would circulate throughout the garrison in no time at all.
