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Fuck, why did we come here first?
Debating the idea of walking back to camp nude and risking illness as I get closer to the heap on the ground, I’m surprised to seethat there’s a blanket and fresh clothes on top of a stump next to my sullied pajamas.
If my teeth weren’t chattering, I’d have thanked Darian.
I struggle but manage to pull the clothing on and sit on the stump, wrapping the blanket around my body before looking to the others.
Val is sitting near the edge of the water watching Darian who is waist-deep, finally taking the time to clean himself off. With the moonlight illuminating his back, the creatures inked onto his skin look alive, like they could leap off of him and take actual flight. The lifelike wolf stares back at me as Val gazes at Darian, and I can’t help but wonder if the other depictions on his shoulders hold any significant meaning or if he simply has a fondness for ravens and dragons.
My thoughts are interrupted as he disappears beneath the surface, causing dark red swirls to rise to the top and my eyes track the trail of color as it rushes downstream. Moments later he emerges, standing as the water cascades off his head and shoulders.
As Darian stalks away from the stream our eyes meet, and I find myself once again trapped within his mismatched gaze. My cheeks flush as he bends to grab his own fresh clothes and I know I should give him privacy to put them on, but I’m unable to avert my eyes for the life of me.
Even without his tattoos, his body is a piece of art.
Like a beautifully crafted sculpture you’d find in an expensive museum, with hard lines and intimate details. It’s the kind of beauty that you’d stand before, staring at the ‘Do not touch the art’ sign, and struggle not to reach out to, just to see how it feels beneath your palm.
The only difference is that I know all too well what he feels like, and damn if it isn’t the closest thing to a heaven that I was convinced doesn’t exist.
It’s like once my eyes meet his, everything in my being getssucked in, as if he can see every tarnish, stain and vulnerability of my soul.
Never in my life did I expect to have a connection that runs this deep. This goes beyond physical attraction and defies all rational thought.
I foolishly assumed distancing myself emotionally from him could grant me some semblance of independence in the face of what’s to come, but there’s something about being by his side that gives me strength.
Once Darian’s fully clothed, Val takes the lead toward the camp, and I force my heavy and stiff limbs into motion, determinedto follow him.
Chapter 35
As we reach our campsite, a sense of gratitude washes over me at the sight of our mostly untouched tent. The would-be kidnappers hadn’t taken the opportunity to destroy anything in their pursuit, and for that, I am thankful.
With weariness taking hold, there is nothing left to do but crawl into our beds and I pull the blankets tightly around my frozen body with a contented sigh.
As the stillness settles around us, my teeth chatter in my head as my limbs tingle and burn at the blood flowing back into them. Darian shifts slightly and another blanket is layered on top of me failing to thaw the icy grip that had taken hold.
My teeth continue to chatter.
Without a word, a rush of chilled air permeates the space as the blankets are lifted, and I feel Darian shift behind me. The delicious heat from his body radiates against my back as his arm encircles my waist and gently tugs me flush to him.
Silently, I surrender to the comfort of his touch, instinctively wriggling closer, melting into him with a deep sigh of content before my mind begins to wander to the events of the night.
“Thank you for finding me.” I murmur.
A brief silence hangs in the air, and I wonder if Darian has drifted off, but just as I begin to question his chest vibrates against my back.
“I will always find you, Lara. Even if you cannot see me, I will never be far.” He murmurs softly, “I’ve lived hundreds of years, and met hundreds of thousands of people in this lifetime, many of whom I will never see again. There is not a single one of them thatwould have made me feel an ounce of terror if their lives were at risk as yours was tonight.”
My heart beats like a war drum within my chest as he continues, “I would gladly put all of them to the sword myself if it meant keeping you by my side and that is not something to take lightly, Lara. I experienced true fear today for the first time in centuries, and it was because my misstep could have cost your life.”
His arms flex around my body as his grip tightens, and his head leans in closer until his lips graze my ear, “I will never make such a mistake again.”
My chest swells at his admission, hope a living breathing thing in my veins as I press myself further into him. With warmth in my body and soul, I let sleep take over in the safety of his arms.
Chapter 36
I awaken as the darkness surrounding us begins to transition gently to the soft hues of morning.
My face is nestled against Darian’s chest, reveling the warmth and comfort of his embrace as his arms are wrapped tightly around me.
