Page 73 of Dark Fate

But then the beast beneath us decides it’s the perfect moment to shimmy, and my fingers instinctively latch ontoRhyland’s, my nails digging into his skin as I fight to keep my balance.

"As I'll ever be," I toss back sassily, slathering on a layer of courage like the final touch of war paint, determined not to let him see how much his proximity affects me.

A chuckle rumbles out ofRhyland, doubling as my personal back massager, as he coaxes our four-legged Uber into gear without breaking a sweat, his muscles flexing beneath me with every movement.

And thenMeadowslides to a stop beside us, her timing impeccable as she reaches us and our steed, her delicate features creased with concern.

She offers a deferential bow, her eyes lowered in respect. "My lady," she acknowledges softly before lifting her gaze toRhylandwith a respectful inclination, "My lord, may you both journey safely. Thank you for your kindness and..." She hesitates, her expression clouded by contemplation as if weighing her words carefully. "I foresee…trials ahead—whispers. So I urge you to proceed cautiously."

Her ominous words raise the hair on my arms, chilling me to the core despite my efforts to remain unaffected, to project an air of calm confidence.

"Thank you,Meadow," I manage, though my voice quivers barely, betraying the unease that coils in my gut like a serpent.

"No worries,Mouse. No harm will come to her or me,"Rhylandannounces confidently, his voice a low rumble that vibrates through me like a second heartbeat, strong, steady, and sure.

With a respectful nod,Meadowretreats, her lithe form melting back into the bustle of the stables like a shadow.

There’s comfort in knowing that we’ve aided her, securing her refuge inWhispervale, where her safety is all but guaranteed. One less weight on my shoulders, one less burden to bear as we set out on this journey into the unknown.

As we ride, the rhythm of the horse’s hooves against the earth creates a potent cocktail of calm and thrill; each beat hitting like a bass drum tuned by the gods. I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement bubbling up inside me, mingling with the nerves that flutter in my stomach like butterflies.

"You’re doing great,"Rhylandreassures me, his voice low and playful, his breath tickling the shell of my ear. "Just relax,baby, and let me take care of you," he says, and I can almost hear the wink in his words, the promise of something more than just a ride through the forest.

Eye roll incoming—Mr. Alpha Male has a one-track lexicon, but let’s be real—there’s a fortress-level of safety vibes withRhylandplaying my personal shield, his body a barrier between me and the world.

"And I plan to do it while having a little fun in the process," he adds, his hand squeezing my inner thigh with a teasing lilt to his words as we fall in step behindAxilyaand her crew, the promise of adventure and excitement hanging in the air like a tangible thing.

My face is on fire from his little hint-drop, but I’m dishing it right back at him, my lips curving into a smirk. "Keep your eyes on the road, hands on the reins, Big Guy. It’d be a shame if we took a tumble and your ego ended up with a boo-boo."

Rhylandtosses me another one of his chuckles, the sound warm, rich, and full of promise. He pulls me tighter against him—like he’s wordlessly vowing not to let me so much as stub a toe on this journey, to keep me safe and sound no matter what trials may lie ahead.

Rhyland

31

Already a day into our trek, nature's untamed majesty blossoms around us like a masterpiece. Thick woods that would put the finest manicured gardens to shame flank us on either side, and the hills roll out before us like a lavish spread of emerald and gold, basking in the glow of sunrise and showing off every vivid color in its arsenal. This place, it's a chorus of old magic, a landscape that's wild and eternal, that doesn't give a single flying fuck about the march of time or the petty concerns of mere mortals.

The rhythmic thud of hooves against the earth is as steady as a drumbeat, a slow march that syncs up perfectly with the wild symphony around us. It's like the very land itself is alive, pulsing with an energy that I can feel thrumming through my veins, setting every nerve ending on fire.

Dani's heat is pressed up against me, a solid anchor that reminds me why I'm in this fight, why I'm willing to go to the ends of the earth and beyond to keep her safe, to claim what's ours. I pull her in closer, my arms like steel bands wrapped around her, while I handle the reins with an ease born of centuries of practice, not even breaking a sweat.

She's nestled right between my thighs, fitting there like she was made for it, like every curve of her body was designed to mold perfectly against mine. It's a feeling that sets my blood on fire, that makes me want to forget about the mission, about the fate of the realms, and lose myself in her, in the way she makes me feel alive in ways I never thought possible.

That blowjob this morning completely blew my goddamn mind. And I can't stop thinking about all the filthy ways I'm going to make it up to my dirty little angel.

I'm holding Dani tight against me, her scent—like sunshine and honey mixed with a hint of spice—hitting me hard, making my head spin with desire. I can't help but bury my face in the sweet spot at her neck, inhaling deeply, letting her essence fill my lungs and set my blood on fire.

Dani's decked out in her battle gear, and fuck me sideways if she doesn't look like a goddess of war. The leathers are snug, really fucking snug, in all the right places—skimpy enough to make a man's mind wander to all sorts of sinful thoughts, but not so much that they don't mean serious business. They're like a second skin, outlining every delicious curve of her body, screaming both 'Touch me' and 'I'll kick your ass six ways to Sunday.'

Each strap, each buckle, is placed just so, showcasing her strength and power, and the way that dark material sets off her golden, sun-kissed skin has me on edge. She's walking art, a lethal package wrapped up in one hell of a tempting package, and I'm the lucky bastard who gets to stand at her side to call her mine.

Her hair, twisted into intricate war braids by the local fae girls this morning, has my cock throbbing non-stop, straining against my leathers like it's got a mind of its own.

She's a goddess, a warrior, my mate, and I'll be damned if she isn't going to conquer this battle just like she conquered my heart, claiming it as her own.

This morning, before we hit the road, she fed Lucian and Erik with her blood, using that ancient-as-fuck blood-drawing gear that Faderyn handed over. A sacred ritual, a bond forged in crimson.

Lucian and I, we've put our shit to bed... for the moment. Dani, in all her infinite wisdom, pushed us to 'kiss and make up,' and I went along with it, though not without a metric fuck-ton of grumbling. She laid it out clear as day—we've got to pull in the same direction, to have each other's backs. We can't let the petty stuff trip us up, not now, not with so much at stake. And as much as it grinds my gears to admit it, she's got a point.

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