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I think for a moment. “Surprise me with the art.” His eyes fill with amusement and I laugh as I pull my shirt over my head and toss it to the floor. I spread my wings up by my arms so that he has full access to my back.
His fingers glide softly against my ribcage and I bite my lower lip to fight off the laugh that’s trying to break free. Gods—this is not how I envisioned my night, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Rune presses a wet finger to my spine and it instantly heats, burning into my skin like he’s managed to do to my heart. I clench my teeth as he draws on my back. I have no idea how much time has passed, but by the time he’s done the sky is lightening up a little bit outside, so morning isn’t too far off.
He sits back on his haunches and wipes his hands off on the white cloth. I look over my shoulder at him. “Well? Did you botch it?” I ask sarcastically and he smiles widely like hedid.
I laugh and hop up to look in my mirror against the wall. My breath is stolen from my lungs as a wave of emotions crashes into me.
It's a long ponderosa pine the length of my spine. In the center of the tree, lying on the branches, is a Pine Hollow pup, white and curled up, sleeping. It makes me think of Margo. Of my old forest and of what he calls me… pup.
I turn and look at him with tears brimming in my eyes. “What made you think of the young Hollow?” My voice quivers as he steps up to me with hooded eyes.
He doesn’t duck down to kiss me this time—instead, the tattoo heats on my back and his voice is flooding my mind. We are connected through his blood on my spine.“When you brought me to the Pine Hollows, you were like a pup among the herd. You love them so much and yet you still have so much growing to do. You’re still so new to the world, pup. That tattoo will grow as you do.”
I have no clue what he means byit will grow as you do, but his words drip from his consciousness to mine and it’s lovely. I don’t care what kind of magic this is, it’s hauntingly enchanted andmine. “Thank you for doing this for me.” He smiles and nods like it was nothing, but I don’t think he’ll ever know how much it truly means to me.
15
Elodie
The snow has finally let up and I’m two seconds from having a full-blown heart attack.
Kol came to my door this morning to get me. He was shocked to see Rune in bed with me, but instead of having words about it he just ordered us to get to the torture chambers and gave Rune a look, saying they’d have words about it later.
Rune escorts me once I’m dressed and we’re silent the whole way there.
I try not to hold it against him. We’re just guard and prisoner, after all—right? But I have a horrible, rotting feeling welling in my stomach today. I saw Kastian last night… and something tells me he’s going to be in there waiting for me.
I cringe as I picture him watching as Violet drains me of blood in front of him.Please—anything but that.My fingers tingle with anxiety and I’m boring holes into my lips with my sharp canines.
Where are Wren and Moro? Are they all still trying to save me, or… or have they all moved on? I imagine it for a second. Happy and peaceful in Hollow’s Grove. Away from this hell that is Nesbrim… But I suppose Moro wouldn’t be happy without the Hollows.
We reach the doors and I’m too nervous to open them. I glance up at Rune, who’s watching me carefully as always.
“You’ll be okay. I’ll be right here.”
I flinch as my spine warms, still not used to this easy connection between us. I smile up at him as the heat from the tattoo fades.
“I’m ready…” I mutter, sounding completelynotready.
He opens the doors and fuck everything, I change my mind. Take me back to my room, because I can’t do this.
Kastian stands in the center of the room, ocean eyes crashing into me until I’m sure there’s nothing left for anyone else to see. My heart drops on the floor and I swear I can actually hear it. His white hair is a little longer than it was before and his skin is just as shimmery and sun-kissed as it is in my memory.
My soul cries at this union. Seeing him here, looking at me with such tangible anguish in his eyes, shatters me.
Rune tries to coax me into the room but my bones are frozen in place. The sight of my God of Death has me shaking. He’s as beautiful as he was in the last moments we stared into each other's eyes, promising to find one another in another life.
And I know it’s only been a little over half a year… but fuck, it feels like so much longer. I’m not the same Elodie… I’m different now, and I’m not sure he will be able to accept the new me.
A cough brings me out of my trance and all of the sudden I’m aware of everyone in the room waiting for me. Violet’s crimson eyes are practically glowing at my expression of horror.
Arulius steps toward me and gives Rune a glare that promises punishment for everything I sent through the bond last night. I grit my teeth as my blood-bonded Eostrix pulls me away and into the chamber. My legs are haphazardly working. His scent of fresh rain washes over me and I bite back the urge to be close to him.
“What did I tell you, love? I’m going to fuckingkillthat Dreadius.”
That snaps me right out of my daze.
