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Renton released a breath. “Are you okay, Tenah?”
Her gaze darted around the field, quiet except for the calm breeze. Again, his question went unanswered. Biting back the urge to lay into her for such carelessness, Renton helped her onto her feet and escorted her back into Denoden. Alarm bells were ringing in the logical part of his brain. Something wasn’t right.
“Talk about it later?” He turned to face her at the door to the villa, his firm stare conveying he wouldn’t let the matter of her safety go.
Tenah nodded but continued avoiding direct eye contact. Whatever had occurred out in that field, she was rattled beyond reason. He wanted to wrap his arms around her. Hold her. Assure her that he would protect her.
But he wasn’t sure of anything right now, especially how to comfort someone when they had iron walls in place. The irony wasn’t lost on him. He’d kept everyone at a distance for so long, he wasn’t sure he was in any shape to form relationships, half-convinced he’d find a way to fuck things up again.
Vesara burst from the villa doors in dramatic fashion and pounced on Tenah. “I need you.”
Instantly, Renton slid between them, crowding the assassin’s space. “Now is not the time for your selfish demands.”
A light hand touched the back of his ribs, spreading heat and prickles of electricity through him.
“It’s okay,” Tenah whispered.
Renton closed his eyes, physically unable to watch her vanish through the villa doors, tugged along like someone’s plaything. Pressing his fingers to his temples, he groaned as he realized he’d left Tenah’s desserts out in the field. He turned around. Soldiers should be notified about the rift anyway in case something slipped out.
Then he needed a drink, a strong one at that.
Chapter22
Tenah
The death king had forced her to tear open that rift. There was no other explanation. And from the sheer horror painted on Renton’s face, he’d sensed something very wrong about that magic too.
To be so unaware of what was happening to her body—it was a violation. Was she even alive if someone orsomethingelse was controlling her?
Flashes of a war-torn isle were branded behind her closed eyes, the land decaying under a film of dark smog. The air electric, singeing the inside of her nose.
She swallowed, her hands shaking as she reached up to her tender scalp where the death king had gripped her and forced her down on her knees. That was real, wasn’t it? And so were the ruthless waves of darkness he’d pumped into her aching channels until she was numb. Until she was nothing.
Then she’d lost consciousness.
Tenah slid her thumbs over her palms, unnerved by the force with which Chaos had demanded she tear into Renton’s chest and uncover what was hidden there when she’d regained consciousness. Whatever force had sunk its teeth in her was tempted by that pulse of something foreign buried inside of him. Her mind flicked to the death king, but what could he possibly want from shadowkind that he couldn’t obtain with his own power?
By the grace of Vesara’s neediness, she’d pulled Tenah away from his side. Now she just had to keep away from Renton. She’d overstayed her welcome in Denoden anyway. However, the idea of marching south after what she’d just experienced had her stomach churning and her hands trembling at her sides.
She just needed a few moments to collect herself.
Drawing herself back into the present, Tenah asked, “What is this about?”
The assassin’s short bob swayed at her furious pace through the villa halls. She wore a long, blue gown with cut-outs along her midriff. Chiffon flowed from her waist to the floor, sewn with so many gems, she shone like a galaxy. Tiny charms jingled on her ankles.
“You’re attending a party with me. Not dressed like that, of course.” Vesara looked back at her, gaze sweeping up and down her attire with disdain.
Tenah would have argued, but her outfit was filthy. Some of the beading had come undone in her fight with death incarnate. “I’m really not in the mood.”
Vesara spun on her, tiny hands clasping her forearms. “And I’m not above begging. I need as much moral support as I can get tonight.”
Deflating at the hint of desperation in the assassin’s voice, Tenah nodded. “Okay.”
Since when did she care about anyone outside of her family? Since a night of drinking might be the perfect distraction from holing up in her bedroom and obsessing over whatever horrible thing had just happened while she’d blacked out.
Up another flight of stairs, Vesara practically carried her through two red, meticulously carved wooden doors. Tenah ran her fingertips over the flame cradled in the hand of the Great Elemental Renix. He’d fought against Xith centuries ago, only to meet his demise.
What a discouraging turn her thoughts had taken.
