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Nakoa had mentioned he was Orisha, which was made obvious simply by looking at him. Most Orisha were preternaturally tall and hewn with lissome muscle that gave them a certain grace, but it was their eyes that screamedother.Unlike Miroslav’s silvery iridescent irises that were nearly as pale as the whites of his eyes, Famei’s eyesglowedlike the pale yellow and orange of a flame.
Nakoawilleda chair into existence in front of us before setting me down on it and leaving me so he could help finish setting up camp - which, from as far as I could see - was pretty extravagant. I’d assumed we’d be roughing it - sleeping on bed rolls, bared to the elements.
A streak of heavily muscled, pale skin snagged my attention through the trees. Roderick stood in the thick of the forest, stripping away his clothes. I felt only a tiny bit of guilt that I didn’t bother to give him any privacy as he undid his belt and stepped out of his trousers to liberate a surprisinglylargecock, despite it being flaccid.
My brows leapt.
Good for him.
As if reading my thoughts, his eyes lifted to mine, and heat rose to my cheeks. A knowing smile quirked his lips, but he seemed entirely nonplussed. Lykos were notoriously liberal when it came to nudity.
It was the work of fleeting moments before he fully shifted into his wolf form - a wolf form larger than any other I’d ever seen. He took off in a blur of grey and white fur, disappearing into the dark forest.
Nakoa appeared out of his tent, a stringed instrument in his hand and sat down beside me. Familiar fingers began to pluck and strum a harmony that almost instantly had this ache in my chest intensifying. Within moments, the beauty of it even had the hairs on the back of my neck rising.
Everything within me yearned, cried, to sing… But I felt like that part of me had been so cut off after everything that had transpired when I sang in front of an audience. No matter how small.
Emotion clogged my throat, and I had to force my gaze away, attention returning to the campfire as Pomona sidled beside Famei. He turned to stare down at her, grinning a mile wide, with nothing but love and adoration in his gaze. That look alone, despite not being directed at me… Nearly stole my breath away.
I wanted that.
And I just needed to fucking escape so I could return to Malekai. My regret weighed like a damn boulder thrown into the sea because now… I couldn’t help but feel like it was too late.
My longing for him was just as powerful as this gods-forsaken tether binding me to Nakoa.
Famei plucked a branch boasting delicate teardrop-shaped white and periwinkle-colored blossoms and offered it to her. A smile leapt across her face as she inhaled their fragrance before standing on her tip-toes and pressing a lingering kiss to his full mouth.
“I love you more than life itself,” she whispered softly in a casual and sweet manner.
Famei cupped her cheeks in his long hands and pressed kisses to her forehead, nose, and mouth. It was only then that I noticed the distinct, glowing,soulboundmarks weaving around their hands and wrists like a glove.
“You alone are the only reason I still breathe,” he murmured reverently.
Emotion swelled in her eyes, but she breathed it away, pressing a quick kiss to his lips before turning to find me openly staring at them. While perhaps a little melodramatic, especially for one such as me… The earnestness in their words, the tenderness and love in their gaze… I’d never, in all my life, witnessed such a tender display of love.
My cheeks flushed with guilt and embarrassment as my gaze darted to the bonfire.
Pomona strode toward me, grinning warmly, and plopped down beside me.
“I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to stare… I just… I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed anything quite like that.”
She tilted her head to study me, her smile dimming.
“I’m sorry to hear that. And you have nothing to apologize for. I stared at you for most of our journey here.”
Surprised by her candidness, my eyes lifted to hers. Before I could respond, she placed the branch of blossoms into my hand.
“Ereni flowers… They’re my favorite. They’re said to ward off dark spirits and energy. Bring peace and calm to those who keep them near and breathe their scent.”
I hesitated, my gaze flicking briefly to Famei. “But didn’t he just give them to you?”
“He gives them to me every time we stop for camp. And there’s plenty more. Keep them with you. We’re happy to have you…I’mhappy to have you,” she whispered the last part, leaning forward into my ear, “You’re Nakoa’sleath-anama.His soul-half.”
My breathing stilled. “He told you this?”
She grinned, her vibrant red curls bouncing. “I have a sense about these things… but he confirmed it,” she chirped, tipping her head at Nakoa and grinning. Nakoa’s fingers stilled against his instrument briefly, gaze searching my reaction before he wordlessly returned to his music.
Pomona stood before I could say anything more.
