Page 85 of Her Ivory Flame

For the first time, she felt an ache in her chest for Kaden and realized her heart was in trouble.

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Thunder boomed in the air and she felt herself jerk awake, her nerves instantly on fire.

“It’s ok, I’m here.” Kaden whispered behind her, his lips against her ear.

The blanket lifted between them and she knew he was offering comfort to her like the night before, another silent gesture. She started to shift backwards to him, the warmth of his body welcoming her.

His arms wrapped around her and pulled her against him gently, chest pressed up against her back. She leaned back into him more,his arm pulling her in as close as possible and she instantly let out a calming breath.

Her face was cold, the evening air dropping in temperature and it was starting to annoy her. As comfortable as she was, she knew his body was warmer than the air and started to turn in his arms.

He loosened his grip and let her situate against his chest, her face burrowing into him. For the first time, their legs intertwined and she made sure to keep her middle away from him, not wanting to know or imagine what he was like down there at this moment.

A crack of thunder made her jump again and he again pulled her closer.

“Pú ert öruggur hjá mér,” he whispered in her people’s old language against her forehead.

‘You are safe with me.’

Shock rolled through her body at the sound of it, let alone the reason he might have known it but she didn’t move. Sleep was winning her mental battle and she fell asleep with complete calmness around her.

Chapter 31

They were on the road early the next morning and everyone was silent.

Raine rode in the back with Finnley and she was paired with Xander again. They refused to let her ride in the front due to protection issues and she made sure they knew she was annoyed.

She couldn’t be too upset though, waking wrapped up in Kaden made her feel unusually happy and she didn’t want to waste that feeling.

She couldn’t recall ever waking up with that feeling with Declan or Silas, and it was making her mind spin in thoughts. It was like an inner thread was being pulled inside her, one that seemed to link directly to Kaden.

When she goes back to Elnora, she would try to search the library again for what it might mean, but for now she just held on to that thread.

Zuri was happy to be out, along with all the other horses and she could even see Finnley having a little difficulty controlling his horse behind her. Being cooped up for so long made them extra naughty sometimes, but seemed he was handling it well.

“Xander, switch for a while.” Kaden’s voice pulled her out of thought and saw the two men switch positions.

“I can feel your glare all the way up there,” he whispered.

“I don’t see why I can’t ride up front,” she snapped.

“Because I want to keep you safe.”

She flinched slightly at his words, feeling as though it was out of his own feelings and not his job at this point.

“I’m not a poor defenseless girl, Kaden.”

“I know, but right now my priority is to make sure you are not in harm's way.”

She glared at him but tried to see it from his perspective even if she didn’t like it. He was trying to care for her, but she still had parts of her wall up even after the last few days.

Zuri started to prance under her, her ears going front to back as she snorted in distress. It was very unusual for her and Alyra instantly went on high alert.

Kaden did too, making the group halt and everyone went silent.

There was a rumble in the air they all could feel, Zuri snorting again with her head directed to her left. She followed the horse's stare and saw a shadow move in the trees.