I squirm under him. “How the hell should I know? They’re wherever you hid them!”
A hand fists in my hair and pulls my head up from the surface of the bed. “Then how did you dothat?”
I blink my sleep-fogged eyes into focus. The sun is just graying the sky outside, giving me enough light to see the metal shackle hanging from the headboard. The other is still wrapped around my left wrist, but the chain that had connected them is rusted and brittle, impossibly corroded over the course of the night.
Wish I had a better answer for him. “I don’t know.”
“Bullshityou don’t,” Nik snaps before he yanks me upright. He’s stronger than me, taller than me; he has a Royal Guard’s training, and it shows in how he’s able to control me so easily before he abruptly lets me go. There’s the sound of a sword being drawn, and I turn to come face to face with the business end of his. “Strip.”
I scowl, eyes flicking to that sharp point, though the order makes my cock twitch. I’ve woken up randymostdays on this trip, but after the shock of the dream, the thrum of arousal is as persistent as it is unwelcome. Yet trying to force it away is a losing fight. The need runs hot through every part of me, ears ringing as I pull my shirt over my head. I drop my trousers and underthings, and the fact that Nik’s getting a full view of my hard cock does nothing to soften it.
Nik’s eyes focus on my nipple piercings for just a moment too long before he flicks his sword at me. I roll my eyes before I do a slowturn, letting him see every inch. “Want me to bend over and spread ‘em for you to be sure? Or maybe you just want to put a finger up there and rummage around a bit?”
Hell, I’d even welcomethatpart, but Nik scoffs as he sheathes his sword. He picks up my clothes, searching them more thoroughly and, unsurprisingly, still finds nothing. When his eyes turn to me again, he looks as perplexed and frustrated as I feel.
“How’d you do it?” he demands.
“You wanna listen, or you gonna keep ordering me around?”
Nik answers by tossing my clothes back at me. I’m quick to dress as I say, “Something’s fucked about my magic, alright? That’s why I’m trying to find my mother.”
“Fucked how?”
I pull my trousers up before jangling the busted shackle still around my wrist at him. “Like I’m losing control of it. It happens when it shouldn’t.Doesthings it shouldn’t.” Once I pull my shirt back on, I sit on the edge of the bed, groaning as I press the heels of my hands against my eyes until I see stars. “I’m... having fucked up dreams. Might even be visions.”
Nik barely waits for me to finish talking before he scoffs. I didn’t think he could disappoint me further, but I realize I was wrong as he goes to check our packs without so much as a word. He pulls my spells out and drapes them around his neck, hiding them under his shirt before he tugs the bag closed again.
“So, what, you’re just gonna ignore me?” I snap, my patience wearing thin.
Nik snorts as he dons his gambeson before buckling on his leather chest plate so my spells are secured under three whole layers. “So long as you keep spouting bullshit, I plan to.”
Anger flares hot. “It’s not bullshit! I’m telling you the truth! Somethingwantsme out here, Nik. I have to keep going!”
The guard doesn’t answer except to shove both of our packs into my arms before he unlocks the remnants of the shackle from my wrist, letting the broken piece drop to the floor. His strong hand grabs my shoulder before he steers me out of the room and down the stairs. I grit my teeth, taut as a bowstring under his commanding grip.
Janessa and Osgar are both up already, and the main room is pretty busy for barely past dawn. Can’t blame ‘em, really. No doubt I’m the best gossip they’ve had in ages. Odd little Dominai came back from the city only to leave again in the shackles of a Royal Guard. The whispers stop abruptly as Nik and I step off the stairs.
Osgar breaks the quiet first. “Yours and Dom’s horses are both ready for you, just as you asked, sir.”
Nik nods before he fishes out the small purse on his belt. He steers me over to the bar and drops it in front of them. “Thank you for your hospitality.”
Osgar snatches it up as Janessa says, “‘m sorry, Dom.”
I’m not sure what to say to that, and Nik doesn’t give me much of a chance to decide before he steers me out the door. The weather’s cleared up, leaving a cold, foggy morning behind. Mo nickers from where he’s tied next to Nik’s leggy sorrel that paws impatiently at the ground. They’re both tacked up, ready to head back down the mountain.
There’s no changing his mind, I realize. No matter what I say, it’s not going to be enough for him.
I dig my heels in and let our packs drop to the wet ground at my feet. “I’m not going back.”
Nik lets out a long-suffering sigh. “And I was hoping you’d do this the easy way.”
I round on him, anger bubbling up again. “You’re notlisteningto me!”
Nik’s thumb flicks the guard open on his sheath before he half draws his sword. “I have my orders, Dom. I will drag you back if I have to.”
I’m already shaking my head, my fear and anger and desperation all pouring out. “Fuck your orders! Just give me a few more days! Keep my fucking spells!Come with me.”
I can’t read his silence, so I fill it.
