“Where are you going?”
“To look for some more dry wood for the fire,” he says over his shoulder. “Let’s camp here tonight and get back on the road early tomorrow morning.”
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
PHOENIX
Isleep alone that night. Not by choice. Once the fire pit is set, Jax leaves me, saying he wants to scout the perimeter and ensure no more weird things happen.
Alone, I sit by the fire, fighting sleep until I’m physically unable to anymore. With an aching heart, I bury underneath two fur blankets next to the fire and sleep.
Jax doesn’t wake me for my shift. When he gently shakes my shoulder and I open my eyes, morning light streams through the branches above us.
“Did you sleep at all?” I croak, sitting up.
“Not really,” he says and rises. “But I’m fine. Let’s get going while we still have daylight.”
Jax isn’t angry.
That would be easier to face.
He’s careful. Measured. Like one wrong move might set something off between us.
I have no right to feel any type of way about his detachment.
That doesn’t stop the irritation from clawing up my throat anyway.
We get ready for the road in silence, only speaking when we must. Once we mount the horses, Jax takes the lead. I follow a few feet behind him, trying very hard to work through the storm of emotions that rages inside me.
I’m so lost in my misery, I almost miss it.
After a couple of hours riding, a familiar screech pierces the air. Our horses halt, whining. Jax pulls on Midnight’s reins, and leans to whisper something to the stallion while he pats its head.
“Jax,” I call for him. “Could it be that we’re close to the feeding grounds?”
Jax turns to me and nods. “Based on the map and the last signpost we passed, it’s about an hour’s ride away.”
I’m so giddy, I smile at him. My excitement dulls when, instead of returning it, he only nods and turns back to the road ahead of him.
Oh gods.The damn kiss ruined everything between us.
I’ll deal with him later.
After I’ve bonded my dragon.
We ride the rest of the way in silence. With each signpost we pass, more screeches reach my ears. I can’t believe we’re finally so close to the feeding grounds. After all these days of nothing but darkness, and looming threats.
Jax pulls on Midnight’s reins and lifts his hand in the air. Our horses come to a halt. When Jax slides out of his saddle, so do I.
Ahead of us, the road leads to a clearing of sorts. The sound of roaring water reaches my ears.
My pulse spikes.
This is the place.
Jax leads Midnight deeper into the forest and ties him to a tree with enough space to roam and then takes Luna’s reins from me.
While he secures the horses, I prepare my battle gear. I don’t plan on fighting my dragon, but going without weapons feels…wrong.
