Page 91 of To Bleed A Kingdom

Shaking my head, I can't help but chuckle at his hopeful smile. “It’s so weird talking to you about this.”

“I know,” he breathes on a sigh, straightening as he drops his hand.

“That was so mushy,” I tease, stabbing my finger into his chest. “I think Aurora’s turning you into a romantic.”

“Stop it,” he says, turning away from me and striding forward.

“Aww, don’t be like that,” I call out, rushing to his side. “It's adorable.”

“Just…stop talking.” Glowering at me out of the corner of his eyes, he shoves me to the side and I laugh.

Stumbling over my feet, my laughter cuts off when the needle-like pricks intensify. Morphing into stinging pecks, it snaps along my arms and legs, gouging at my skin and drawing blood. Shutting my eyes, I stretch out my senses and sparks of life flit into view. One… two… two souls, bright and whole racing through the woods, consumed by fear. Ignoring Amara and Zander’s approach, I stretch my senses even further, my heart rate increasing when I discover a cluster of death nipping at the heels of the two terror-ridden souls.

The Soulless.

Snapping my eyes open, I look to my three companions standing before me. “The Soulless are hunting two people in the woods. Probably guards.”

“How many?” Zander asks, unsheathing his sword from its scabbard.

“Too many,” I reply, palming my twin daggers.

Amara slices through the air with her short sword before stabbing an invisible opponent with a stiletto. “It seems tonight just got a lot more interesting. Do you still think I shouldn't have stolen back our weapons?” she asks Tristan.

“No,” he replies in a dry tone, checking the sharpness of his longsword with a swipe of his finger.

“I love it when you're wrong.” Amara laughs, following the two males as we cross over the Cascadonian border into the woods.

“Weapons only and no magic,” I instruct. “We're taking a big enough risk as it is by showing ourselves to the creatures.”

“Then don't show yourself,” Tristan replies, glancing between me and Amara as he ducks under a low hanging branch. “We’ll take care of it.”

Amara and I share an affronted look.

“So we can do what? Stand by and watch like good little ladies?” I scoff. “Not happening.”

Amara smacks the back of his head. “These sexist Cascadonians are rubbing off on him.”

“Just thought I'd ask,” Tristan mumbles, rubbing his head.

“It's annoying that you felt the need to.” Sensing the Soulless gaining on the guards, I hurry Amara along with a palm to her back. “I don’t need protecting.”

Tristan comes to an abrupt halt, Amara slamming into his back as I crash into hers. Ignoring our muttered curses, he peers over his shoulder to meet my gaze. “You're wrong. You're the only person in all the realms worth protecting.”

Groaning, I reach around Amara and shove him in the back. “Just go! You're going to make me cry with all the sappy shit you've said tonight.”

“Gods forbid,” he drawls, rolling his eyes.

“What about me?” Amara asks.

Tristan’s gaze veers to her. “What about you?”

“Aren't I worth protecting?” she asks with a pout.

“Of course not!” Tristan says, staring at her as if she's gone mad.“You're nothing more than fodder.”

Features twisting into rage, Amara kicks him in the shin. “Tell the Stars that, you ass! Gods! I don't know how Aurora puts up with you.”

“Focus.” Snapping my fingers between the two, I draw their attention to me. “We don't have time for this. Remember, no Gifts, no shifting,” I order, pointing at Zander, who sticks out his tongue. “And get back over the wall before anyone suspects we left.”

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