CHAPTER 23
K aelyn came for me and lost her uncle in the process. A mixture of shock, hope, and regret swirled in Saar’s gut.
He couldn’t process the information, so he concentrated on their trek through the dense foliage. The burn in his shoulder and the ache in his leg pounded along with each beat of his heart, but he refused to let the pain slow him down. His injuries would heal quickly, but not before Mauree and her minions followed them in hot pursuit.
He studied Kaelyn as she traipsed through the dark forest. Stiff back, chin held high, her steps were rushed and forceful.
How she must suffer.
A hole grew in his chest, pain filtering into every nook and cranny. An ache to mirror his own loss. She’d lost her uncle. He’d lost his kind.
Outcasts. Vagrants. Fugitives.
Tracked by both her people and his, they were an island unto themselves with only each other to depend upon.
At least he hadn’t disclosed the Keep’s entrance during the brutal torture Mauree and her minions had inflicted upon him. He’d bit back a few muffled shouts and a wince or two, but hadn’t said a word. Yes, he’d betrayed his kind, but he’d also protected them and that was the best restitution he could give.
Kaelyn’s long braid hung down her back. It swayed to and fro with each step, the golden cloth interwoven between the strands. The rhythmic motion captivated him. His hand twitched with his urge to grasp the fine stands between his fingers, pull her to him, kiss her, take away her pain. He reached into his pocket for a toothpick, but came up empty handed.
She stopped next to a pine tree and rested her hand on the bark. Short and rapid, her breaths fogged in the damp air.
He pulled up behind her, listening to the night and the creatures that shared the forest. A cool breeze slid over his skin. The leaves in the trees rustled, as if conversing amongst themselves. He placed his hand next to hers, avoiding skin on skin contact, despite his desire to touch every inch of her body.
With careful attention, he leaned close and whispered in her ear. “Are you okay?”
Her lips parted on a quick intake of breath, and a slow shiver wracked her body.
Empathy for her sorrow constricted his chest. He placed his hands on her shoulders and gave them a gentle squeeze. “Kaelyn—”
She turned toward him. The long length of her braid whipped around, nearly catching him in the face before coming to rest down the front of her shirt. Her gaze scanned the forest around them. “The river isn’t far. We’ll have to swim downstream, but once we cross, they will lose our scent. Our hiding place is still several miles away. Do you—”
“Stop, Kaelyn. Look at me.”
“No, we have to hurry—”
“Shhh…” He placed one finger against her lips.
She tensed.
“Little bear, I’m sorry for your loss. Your uncle must’ve loved you a great deal.”
A stilted hitch burst from her throat. “H…he did, but I can’t talk about him, not right now.”
“That’s understandable. When you’re ready, I’ll listen.” They didn’t have time for this conversation, not here, not now, but his burning need to understand overrode common sense. “There’s something else I must know.”
“What?” Her sweet pea scent worked its way into his lungs, branding her in his mind.
He trailed his fingers over her brow and down her long braid. The soft strands tickled his fingers, endearing her to him. “Why did you return for me?”
The lines around her mouth stiffened, and she raised her chin, putting her lips dangerously close to his. The sexual tension between them sparked, and he half expected the energy to light the sky. “I couldn’t let them kill you because…” her throat undulated as she swallowed, “…there’s this pull between us. I think you’re my mate.”
Saar’s breath stalled. Adrenaline spiked through his veins, sending a rush of blood south. Before he could process his thoughts, he reacted on impulse, drawing her to him in a bruising kiss. She slid her fingers into his hair and her nails scraped against his scalp with a fevered intensity. The spark between them ignited. He lavished her with kisses, feeding the frenzy between them. When he broke away, her soft panting breaths teased the skin on his chin.
Kaelyn placed her hand on his bicep. “I’d ask if you feel it, too, but I’ll take that as a ‘yes.’ ”
He planted a tender kiss on her forehead, giving her his answer. A sudden urgency to flee this place tugged at his insides, his cautious instincts driving him onward. “We should go. You mentioned a hiding place. What do you have in mind?”
“Sometimes it’s best to hide in plain sight. We head to the Gossum safe house.”
A chill ran over his shoulders. “Tell me you didn’t just say that.”
Her gaze tracked to the shadows hidden amongst the large trees. “Proves my point. Who would believe we’d go there?”
A part of him wanted to argue with her, but they didn’t have time. He exhaled, giving in to her decision. “Little bear, I will follow you wherever you go. Once we get across the river and put some distance between us and your family, we have much to discuss.”
She turned her attention to his eyes. The pain and sadness reflected there bore into him.
“Ah, Craya, this can’t be easy for you.” He drew her into his arms, and she leaned into him for a brief moment before pulling away.
“You’re right. We need to talk, but…” Kaelyn tensed.
An acrid, astringent scent wafted by on the breeze. Gossum.
“Let’s go,” she whispered.
Before he could respond, she bolted through the trees. As promised, he followed.