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Chapter 15
Phantom
The others knowwhat Ann is and what she can do and there isn’t a warrior among us who doesn’t know that with her by his side, he could be more than he is. It makes it dangerous for her to be anywhere with anyone but Onyx, Dusk, or me. Even though we are a group of shadow beasts, loyal to one another, there are men in our ranks who would think to usurp the power of the Shadow King. The current or the future. And every man here is armed. Knives, bows, guns. We are warriors, and to be without weapons would be the same as being naked.
For those reasons as much as to be close to her, Onyx, Dusk, and I surround her on our way back to the large cave. After much discussion, we decided there is safety in numbers. We’ve also decided that she shouldn’t be left alone until the bond is complete.
Her step is light but sure. There’s power in her and I don’t know if she has any idea how alluring she is. Her beauty is obvious, but the intensity of her strength is another layer in the complexities of who and what she is. It’s a pretty package, and she wears it well. She will make a good companion and a good mate.
At the thought of what that means, my body warms, responding to her nearness. Because we can’t risk her safety, I followed her from the cave to the river this morning where she bathed. I didn’t look on purpose, but as I was watching, she came out of the water. She’s as exquisite as any woman--human or fae--I’ve ever seen, with full breasts, wide hips, and the kind of curves every man dreams of.
I shake my head and look at the forest. It’s ripe with color and scent, but she’s probably used to far better with the fae. The only thing we had to offer her this morning was yesterday’s venison and some berries Onyx found. This is less than she’s used to, less than she deserves, but we’ll make that up to her when the Shadow King is defeated and the world is safe again.
Ann stumbles a little, and Onyx is catching her in an instant.
Her cheeks heat. “Thanks,” she mumbles.
Onyx smiles in return, holds her a second too long, then releases her.
Dusk casts him a look, and Onyx just shrugs and turns back to focus on the woods.
I don’t know what happened in the cave with Ann and Onyx, but something has changed. She’s softer now. The way she walks, talks, looks at him, at us. I have to remind myself more than once that she has her own mind and that she’s resistant to the bond we need to form, even if she’s subconsciously feeling the connection between us.
Later, I’ll have to explain to her that even with the other shadow beasts, she isn’t safe. They know the prophecy, too. But I don’t want to worry her right now. I’d prefer she believe our actions come from jealousy rather than fear.
“Are you going to tell her?” Beside me, Dusk leans in and speaks low, referring to the secret I’ve been so hesitant to reveal to her. Around the fire, Dusk had begun to push the issue, fearing that if she learned the truth from someone else, it would shatter the trust we’ve been building with her. She’s walking in front with Onyx, and thank goodness, because even speaking low for Dusk isn’t nearly as soft as it should be if we want this to be private.
But she stops and turns to me. “Tell her what?”
Well, I guess her hearing is better than we thought too...
I shake my head because this isn’t how I planned to break the news. I planned to sit with her tonight, lay it all out there for her and let her know how things would unfold if she agrees to bond with us. And I would find the words now, but my mouth is dry, and her wide-eyed beauty robs me of every sensibility I have.
“I’m going to be king.” I blurt the words, shrill and high-pitched, like a teenager whose balls haven’t dropped yet.
She nods. “Really?” But the light in her eyes dies, probably because she thinks I’m either a liar or a bragger. And I’m neither. If she took a minute to get to know me, she would discover that herself and I wouldn’t have to tell her. “And what happens then?”
I consider the question. I’ve always known I would be the next king. I’m older than Dusk by thirty minutes, and Onyx is a friend not related, but I’ve not really considered more than that.
“What happens then depends on you.” Onyx has come to stand beside her, signing the words, and I speak them aloud for him. “With you by our side, the prophecy will come true and we might be able to defeat the enemy.”
“Who is the enemy? I mean, I get that he’s this Shadow King and everything, but I don’t know anything beyond that.”
Her question is a fair one. And an important one. Dusk takes over the signing because my hands are useless now. If I can’t use them to pull her to me, I don’t want to use them at all.
“The enemy is anyone who threatens the safety of all we see, our place in the world,oursafety, anyone who threatens you.” I don’t know that I meant to add the last part, or that I meant to say it in the same tone I would tell her I love her, but that’s how it comes out.
She nods and her lips twist to one side. “And who exactly is this king now? And why, if you’re supposed to be the king, is he?”
I glance at Dusk then at Onyx. “He’s a man who’s lost his way. A man who isn’t interested in what’s best for the world, but what’s best for himself, what makes him powerful.”
When we start to walk again, Dusk and Onyx fall in behind us. I’ve understated the danger of this king, of his strength and the lengths those loyal to him may go to end the humans and expand their world into this one. I will make those things clear later, when I need to, sooner if I need to use them to convince her to fulfill the bond.
Because Dusk’s question right now is for a reason. We can’t keep waiting for her to accept this mate bond. Even waiting this one night scares me. She’s unbelievably vulnerable, and the fact that the king’s people will come for her, makes us all vulnerable.
But, for now, I’m happy to have this time to walk with her, to hear her voice when she talks to me, to notice the way it changes--deeper, softer, sweeter--with each question. Hell, with Ann here, the forest is fuller, greener, more robust. With her beside me, I’m stronger, more determined.
These are the notions of a romantic fool, and it’s only bound to get worse the longer it takes her to bond with us.
