“No,” Gabriel murmurs, his husky voice sending bolts of warmth shooting past my navel. “Don’t leave.”
I stiffen, doing my best imitation of a plank of wood, and stare at the shale in front of me. Is he awake?
I wait for several minutes before gathering enough courage to peer over my shoulder. His eyes are still closed, and his breathing has evened out, but his arm is made of steel, squeezing me against him.
I wiggle again, which results in his cock being firmly pressed against my ass. Which is... Well, it’s nice. I’d be lying if I said anything else.
“No, Birdie,” the Hunter says firmly, his nose nuzzling the back of my neck. “Stay.”
“But—”
“Stay,” he says more forcefully.
And maybe I lost my mind overnight, because I do. I’m fairly certain that if I push the issue, he would let me go, but I’m not sure it’s worth it. After all, being trapped here with my fated isn’t a bad place to be, all things considered.
I sigh, letting my eyes fall shut. I’m not tired, and won’t fall asleep again, so I allow my mind to wander. I think it’s early morning, but there’s no way to be sure.
On our third day of upgraded captivity, I asked Skyler about the lack of windows. After a bit of prodding and reminding her that I was trapped here and all I wanted was to know about this place that would be my home for gods only know how long, she explained that the community of rebels—or the People of the Wilting Roses, as they called themselves—lives inside a series of connected caves inside the mountain.
I’d been stunned when she told me that, and so I hadn’t thought to ask anything else that day. Luckily, as someone assigned to watch our room, she was there the next time I opened the door. That time, as she took me to collect our dinner, I had my questions ready.
“Skyler?” I wait until she turns around to continue. “What are these?”
I point to a gem roughly the size of my palm, shifting the empty woven basket I’m carrying to my other hand.
She draws her bottom lip through her teeth, running her hands down her braid. “I’m not really supposed to tell you.”
No one would know—we’re alone, as seems to be the norm. Since that first day, the guards are the only people I’ve seen other than Gabriel.
“What am I going to do? Who would I tell?” I lift my arms, where the shadestone manacles remain around my wrists. At this rate, I’m fairly certain I will be wearing them until the day I die. “Even though our room is bigger, it’s still a cell, and you and I both know it.”
Gabriel hasn’t even been allowed to leave. It’s clear the community doesn’t trust him. Even though he told me he understands where they’re coming from, I can tell that being trapped in such a small space is grating on him.
Skyler frowns, studying me for several long beats before sighing. “Okay, fine. But just because I like you, Wren.”
I grin, delighting in this small victory. “You’re not so bad yourself, Sky.”
Of all the guards I’ve met—there have been five so far—she’s the only one who has spoken with me. She’s been kind, and she hasn’t mentioned or looked at my Mark once.
Even though she’s guarding me, our interactions feel almost normal. As if I’m not a gods-blessed on the run from an evil king who is desperate to kill me and she’s not assigned to make sure I don’t do anything insane. We’re just two twentysomethings who are new friends.
Skyler points to the nearest gem. “See the glow coming from within?”
I lean in to get a closer look. “It looks like there’s a star inside it.”
The ruby shines brilliantly, the light within pulsing as though it has a heartbeat.
“Exactly.” She beams, pulling back. “The rubies are imbued with special magic.”
“All of them?” I can’t keep the shock from my voice. There must be thousands—I’ve seen rubies in every room and tunnel I’ve been in.
“Every single one.” She starts walking again, and I hurry to keep up.
“But... how?” I ask when I reach her side.
“It took a long time,” Skyler explains. “A team of four Blessed, including my grandfather, spent an entire season working on it.”
My fingers tighten around my basket’s woven handle. “You mean...”
