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Chapter 19
As the water made a slow path down Cal’s cheek, Relian traced after it. The softness of her skin enraptured him. He’d wanted nothing more than to feel it again, to see if his mind accurately recalled the experience. He’d not been mistaken. Her skin was exactly as he’d remembered, as soft as it looked.
He trailed his finger closer to her lips. Her hesitancy in coming too close should stop his quest. She was still fighting the binding, fighting them.
Unbidden, he followed the upper curve of her lip. Her breath hitched, becoming increasingly choppy as he continued his discovery of her cupid’s bow. The lashes of her eyes quaked like the wings of a butterfly against her cheeks. She gave a slight shudder, but it wasn’t one of revulsion. He swayed her unwillingly, just as she did him. No matter how she desired to be away from his touch, she also craved it in equal measure. This he knew all too well, for he experienced the same chaotic emotions her face so plainly reflected. Pleading him to stop. Pleading him to continue.
His exploration meandered down to the lush curve of her lower lip. Would the feel of her mouth against his set him aflame like before, the very taste of her fanning his desires to new heights? He lowered his lips to hers and captured the sweetest kiss he’d ever had in all the long years of his life. It wasn’t a passionate kiss, though passion simmered underneath the surface, waiting to break free. No, this was the intimate touch of lips between two souls who wanted to finalize their connection.
As much as he might want to deny it, his fate rested with this human. Visions suddenly swirled before his eyes, their countless possibilities converging in a maelstrom of mere seconds. At this moment, infinite future paths flashed in front of him, paths he and Cal may follow alone or together, in harmony or out of it. The ramifications blinded him to all but the feel of her lips against his. These images weren’t complete in their scope, only meant to guide. The most trivial things could change them.
Cal’s eyes shot open in panic, her mouth going slack against his before she ripped herself away. Relian cursed softly. The images that had played out for him must’ve also materialized to her through their developing link. He couldn’t fool himself otherwise. Her terror said it all.
But there was no way to tell her what had happened. Her back heaved, and his heart constricted. By way of their deepening connection, echoes of intense emotion felt by one relayed itself to the other. She probably wasn’t aware of this, though. It’d been so subtle at first, he doubted he would’ve noticed it, if not for the fact he knew what to look for. She did not have the luxury of such an upbringing. No doubt his wildly fluctuating emotions had contributed to her state, and she, already overwhelmed by the numerous images appearing in her mind, had lost all calm.
He needed to regain a sense of peace before he could help her. His strong objectivity and control usually tempered his emotions into something malleable. But not today. Bond or no bond, she had his life in an uproar.
He didn’t want her here, by the Mystics. Yet he’d chosen to bring her to the falls. What had he hoped to gain? A kiss, a caress, her love... He stiffened his spine and yanked his mind from that path. It’d serve neither of them well. He had to win her over, yes, but falling in love with her could be deadly. He needed all his focus, and she already compromised enough of it as it was. Though he still hated that their relationship was built on his lies, he had to remain steadfast in his course.
Taking a deep, steadying breath, he willed a sensation of calm over himself so the thread-like link could carry it to her. Her respiration slowed, and her shoulders stilled.
Suddenly, she lurched around and threw herself against him. Astonishment flooded him. His arms moved automatically to gather her close. The press of her body against his stirred desire in his lower regions, but he crushed it. She didn’t seek comfort of that kind.
Cal wouldn’t look him in the eye, in fact, wouldn’t even glance up. He tilted her chin up from where it rested against his chest. Droplets streaked her cheeks. How he wished it had merely been water from the river, as before. No matter how she upset his life, he never desired to see her cry.
He swiped the tears away with his fingers. Language and culture stood between them, though he had no doubt that she’d be able to adjust after some time. Humans, though weak in many ways, had always been known to adapt faster to most circumstances than his kind. It was especially hard for Cal, though, as she had no common ground or language on which to start. Aside from her friend Maggie, a land of elves encapsulated her. She’d surprised him with her strength so far, but it seemed even she had her limits.
He was the only familiar being—albeit a still slightly strange and foreign one—from this world in which she found herself. No wonder she turned to him now. Indeed, who could understand the situation better than he?
When her crying quieted, she made a few adorable hiccuping noises. Without completely releasing her, he moved them a safe distance away from the water. The only telling signs of the tableau that’d played out near the pool were the prints left in the mud and grass by their feet. Though the elves of Eria had devised an enchantment in order to leave nary a trace of their presence behind, he—like most of his people – didn’t bother to do so unless circumstances called for covertness.
Once farther upon the bank, he pressed her down to sit on the velvety grass. She gazed at him, her eyes appearing luminous if not a little red-rimmed from the tears she’d shed. The look didn’t detract from her uniqueness, her human beauty. It just presented a different side of her.
He held up one finger to indicate he needed to step away for a moment. Relian retrieved a water flask from one of the saddlebags and handed it to her with a small flourish. She shot him a wobbly smile. After she finished drinking, he removed the decanter from her hands and took a sip, never taking his eyes from her. Shadows bruised the delicate area under her eyes, and her heavily lidded-stare would narrow only to jerk wide open again.
Instead of returning the flask to the saddlebag, he lowered to the ground behind her. She glanced at him but didn’t stiffen at his nearness. Heartened, he scooted nearer and placed an arm around her shoulders, pulling her back to rest against his chest.
Only rigid for a brief moment, she wearily melted against him, her head coming to rest on his shoulder. They sat thus for many quiet minutes. A new level of comfort in their relationship had been reached, but how long would it last? And did it spring up from her tiredness or their sharing of a soul-baring experience? Regardless, they’d breached one impasse for now, and he’d use it to his advantage.
But he didn’t desire to push her any further, so he was determined to savor the feel of her in his arms. He wanted to enjoy this moment, away from all pressures. Since he’d rarely been in such close proximity to her for any length of time since her arrival, he’d only managed fleeting touches. Truthfully, they’d never been away from all prying eyes before. She’d be mortified if she knew how little was private once she was outside her chambers. Given this, he hadn’t sought to make any overtures in a semi-public setting where anyone could chance upon them, be it gardener, servant, or sentry.
As he reclined back on the soft grass, he pulled her back with him. She curled into his side with her arm over his chest, her head still on his shoulder. Liquid heat swamped him, escaping the tight control he usually exerted. Closing his eyes, he drew in gasping, ragged breaths. Finally, the more persistent parts of his body settled down.
His hand, though, had an energy of its own. His fingers soon ran through that fascinating auburn hair. When he gently pulled upon the wavy tresses, they sprang back in the most delightful way, holding their shape in spite of their silky texture. He’d had the forethought to ask Arrein to arrange Cal’s hair in a fashion that wouldn’t hamper her eyesight while still letting it roam free over her shoulders. Now he reaped the benefits.
As his hand slowed and his eyes grew heavy, a sense of peace drifted over him that’d long been missing from his life. He didn’t ponder when and how it had gone missing, only that he’d discovered a portion of it again.
***
A few hours later, Cal watched as Relian pulled their horses to a stop and sprang off his mount, giving the sparely tree-dotted area a sweeping glance. Crouching low, he stared intently at the ground. He apparently spied something he didn’t like, for his shoulders stiffened. She craned her neck to take a closer look, but as she did so, he stood up abruptly and pocketed something in the pouch on his belt.
Should she be concerned? If she had to hazard a guess, yes, she should be. He’d been acting harried and vigilant even before stopping to examine the area. A shiver of trepidation zinged down her spine. Was there an emergency back in town? If there was, how would he know about it and why was he examining the ground here? She quickly discounted that theory.
Whatever the problem was, it rested out here. However, she had no way to question him, even if he would’ve been inclined to answer. Stupid male.
Cal liked to think of herself as a down-to-earth kind of girl, especially if the situation called for it. To her, this one did. If he was trying to keep her safe, who was she to protest? As much as she’d like to demand some answers, it was neither the time nor the place to engage in a game of charades.
Before she realized what was happening, he stood before her. Her gaze sought his out, and he gave a tight smile. His hands folded over hers and twined her fingers through the horse’s mane. She swallowed thickly. The return ride was definitely not looking good. Relian brushed his hand against her cheek as if in reassurance, causing all thoughts to fly from her head, before he vaulted onto his horse.
