The corner of her mouth twitches with a hint of a smile. “You’re lucky you’re hot,” she whispers under her breath. She thinks I can’t hear it, but with my heightened senses, I’m able to listen to every word. I just won’t let her know that right this minute.
Willow sighs, drawing her gaze up to meet mine. “I’m still mad at you—and especially Rhune. I just want to be alone to get my feelings in order. Please. I promise when I’m ready, I’ll let you know.”
“You know, your word is binding in The Far Place.” I offer her a gentle smile. “I will patiently await the day when you’re ready.” Touching two fingers to my heart, I bow my head. “I’ll return later with some food for you.”
She drops her gaze to her lap. “Thank you, Nyx…”
I nod, forcing my feet to take me toward the exit. It physically hurts to walk away from her, and it makes me even more sympathetic toward what Rhune is going through right now.Poor thing probablydoesfeel like he’s dying to be apart from her.
When I exit, Rhune gazes up at me with hope shining in his pretty pink eyes. With a deep sigh, I shake my head, and Rhune lets out a piercing whine.
“I told you she hates me.” His chin hits his chest, his shoulders drooping inwards as his grief shudders down the bond we share. “It’s hopeless.”
With a sigh, I reach out and flick his forehead.
“Ow!” Rhune clutches the afflicted area, his eyes shining with unshed tears. “Why… why would you do that?”
I flick his nose for good measure.
“Stop doing that!”
“Not until you get yourself together,” I say. “We can’t just sit around and mope. We have to beproactive.”
Rhune tilts his head, a question shining in his tear-filled eyes.
“It means we have to do something to win her back. Grand gestures, and such.”
Rhune’s expression brightens. “Do you have an idea for thisgrand gesture?”
“I have to think…” I reach up to scratch at my chin, my mind running a thousand miles a minute. “It needs to be something personal. Something that she would truly care about and appreciate.”
“What about the necklace?” Rhune asks.
“Necklace?”
Rhune nods. “Willow told me she lost a necklace the day I took her from her world. She seemed very sad about it.”
“A necklace you say…” If she was sad about it, then it must have meant something to her. I doubt getting it back wouldmake her forgive usentirely,but it’s a step in the right direction. “Do you think you could find the same spot you took her from, Rhune?”
He nods. “Of course. It’s one of my favorite hunting grounds. I go there often.”
“Good. There’s not a moment to waste,” I say. “Go and get it. I’ll keep a lookout for her and make sure she’s safe.”
As Rhune rushes off down the tunnel, I can’t help but notice that he’s looking a lot slimmer than he had when he first brought Willow to our home.Weaker.
It occurs to me that Rhune hasn’t eaten in a considerable amount of time. It had been weeks since he ate when he went to the human realm to hunt, and he’s been so consumed with Willow, he hasn’t had time to feed himself. If his body is too weak when he travels to the human realm, then…
I shake my head, casting those worries aside. If Rhune was too weak to make the treacherous journey, then he would surely have mentioned it. I’m just worrying for no reason.
At least, that’s what I hope…
19
Willow
2 cycles later…
It’s been two cycles since Rhune left, and things have been unnervingly quiet. I’m not entirely surewhyhe left—I haven’t felt up to asking Nyx about it—but there’s a part of me breaking, knowing he’s gone. Knowing that heabandonedhis mate.
