Page 69 of The Ember and the Emerald

“And I’m enjoying every second, thank you.” As heavy as life had become, I should savor delights as they came.

He tsked, but he couldn’t mask the flush of pleasure on his cheeks.

Ahav watched our interplay, silent as I squirmed. “Careful, Oracle. If he’s anything like his maker, betrayal lurks beneath every smile.”

I was so not discussing my love life with him. “How far is Mount Emerald?”

“Three days’ ride. If we survive.” Ahav spurred his mount forward.

His words lingered long after he joined his men. Jasher and I rode side-by-side in silence after that, our pegacorns moving in sync. Occasionally, his leg brushed mine, and I forgot everything else.

When he reached out to hook a lock of hair behind my ear, a new vision devoured me at the moment of contact, so vivid I was there. Inside a cavern. A storm raged outside. Lightning lit his face in flashes of gold as he hovered over me, making him an angelic menace, wholly devastating to my good sense. His breath mingled with mine.

His lips parted, a whisper of heat and hunger. “Desire follows us across timelines like a scar, but is it proof of survival, or a warning we keep ignoring?”

Only a second later, the image shattered. I drew in a breath that burned.

Here, in the present, he was peering at me, eyes dark, a smile tugging slow and dangerous. “You don’t have to tell me what you saw. I can guess.”

Cheeks heating, I forced my gaze ahead. Did I just have a preview of tonight? I intended to release him when we made camp. The soldiers would be ready for any kind of attack, if he decided to mount one, and we’d be far enough away from the queen for the king’s peace of mind.

In no way did I believe Jasher would return to harm her or the baby, the only reason I even contemplated this. Even though I understood Ahav’s caution.

But who knows? I rubbed mental hands together. Maybe Jasher would stay…

21

FIRED UP

Afull day of travel stretched before us, and I had to tamp down anticipation and dread every second of it. The closer we came to our destination, the closer I came to kissing Jasher—or saying goodbye.

By the time we stopped, my whole body ached from the strain.

“Here, Oracle?” Ahav asked. “The closest village is miles away.”

I scanned the area. A small grove near the river, untouched by monstra fire. Tall, silver-barked trees with glowing, emerald-green leaves formed a protective ring, their canopies filtering the fading sunlight into soft, dappled patterns on the mossy ground. Blooming sirenes wafted a sublime perfume while singing a faint melody—a dangerous song meant to lure unsuspecting travelers to their deaths.

I remembered the tune well. How it nearly snared me. Even now, knowing what I knew, I experienced an otherworldly pull. Touch…

By sheer will, I resisted, searching for any other dangers. Tiny, luminous fish darted above the water, sending ripples brushing against delicate vines draped over the riverbank. Neither of which I had any experience with.

As a whole, the area was familiar to me, but it wasn’t filled with people, as I’d seen in my vision. “Here,” I stated with a nod.

“Make camp,” the king ordered his men.

The soldiers got to work.

Jasher helped me dismount. Muscles protested, but I remained on my feet as we tended to our pegacorns. All the while, the water beckoned, an invitation I didn’t wish to resist. Soon, I’d have the answer I’d waited for. Would he stay or would he go?

The king labored alongside the soldiers, digging a fire pit and filling it with logs they covered with a powdery white substance.

“What is that?” I asked.

“A defense against invaders,” Jasher explained, his voice dry. “The powder is a drug to monstra. If ignited, it will confuse them. Me.”

“Only if there’s an attack.” And there shouldn’t be. Please, don’t be.

Hammering sounds drew my attention. Hmm. The soldiers crafted spears from small pieces of metal that elongated as they burrowed deep in the ground. Spears I’d seen in my vision.