Page 60 of Elysian

Finally, Cassiel cocked his head, silent for one nerve-wracking beat.

“No one touches her.” A faint smile lifted the corner of his lips. So eerie, it sent a chill down my spine. “Regardless, your heart is not the one I wish to keep.”

His hand disappeared into her chest. Liquid gushed around his hand, dripping blood down his wrist with each throb of her still beating heart.

I couldn’t stifle my gasp. I dropped out of my crouch, landing on my hip.

“But I will thank you for bringing me my horse.”

He tore his hand out, bringing with it a liquid-covered organ.

He studied me as he approached. A faint flicker crossed his features that was gone in the next breath. Something akin to sadness. He dropped it before me and returned to Abrax, Cassiel’s gait uneven.

I stared down at the blue-coated heart. The severed vessels still pulsed, squirting blood. It belonged to the woman that took everything from me. I slammed my fist down. Spatters sprayed across my robe. Again and again until the mush beneath my hands was unrecognizable. Heaving, I stared down at my stained palms.

Piper, I avenged you.

Lifting my chin, I collected myself and pushed to my feet with the effigy and grimoire, taking care not to get too much blood on them. I limped after Cassiel where he was checking all of Abrax’s hooves, and adjusting his sword attached to the saddle.

I waited, watching him struggle with every small movement. He brushed his hands together and straightened.

I held out the effigy. “Do you want this?” I shook it pointedly. Still he did not reach for it.

“No, I trust you with it.”

I pursed my lips. “You shouldn’t.” I lifted my chin. “All it takes is one snap of the neck, and I can escape you.”

He stiffened, studying me. “Do it.”

The daring tone put my teeth on edge. I pressed my mouth into a thin line. We stared each other down for a few breaths.

He held a hand out. “Ready, bondmate?”

“Please refrain from addressing me as such,” I said icily, taking his hand. He dragged me close to him, my chest bouncing against his torso. His arm wound around my waist, his entire hand engulfing my hip.

‘As you wish.’

“And cease speaking inside my head,” I ground out between teeth.

He chuckled and hoisted me up. I swung my leg over, balancing the grimoire and effigy. Cassiel reached behind to the side of the saddle to unwind a satchel, handing it to me.

“For your items.”

I didn’t refuse it and shoved both items inside. He shoved his foot into the stirrup and hoisted himself up and behind me. Much too close. I straightened my spine, but I could not escape his proximity.

Cassiel clicked his tongue, nudging the beast’s side. Abrax sprang forward, sending me back against his hard body.

“Are we not continuing toward the river?” The wind almost stole my words.

‘Abrax will take us far from here. We will keep to the woods.’

And so we rode.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Hollow

Idozed in and out of sleep, Cassiel’s grip on my belly keeping me against him. An entire dawnlight rotation had passed of pure riding, and the sky began its turn toward orange, denoting dusklight’s arrival.