Page 100 of The Queen

Chapter Sixty-Two

Saphyra

After a blistering kiss that had my toes curling in my boots, Ghost veered off the path and disappeared into the trees on foot.

He left me his big surefooted mare to ride the rest of the way to the oak grove. I missed the closeness of riding with Shadow, but his horse was probably grateful for the respite.

By the time we descended into the hollow where the hidden entrance was, the sun had crested the sky and was drifting back down toward the sea in the west. The warm gold light shone through the leaves, sending shifting rainbow dapples scattering over the earth in hypnotizing patterns.

Shadow was silent as we walked, carefully avoiding any possible patrols or scouts. As much as I longed for small talk, I understood that any unnecessary noise was a risk we couldn’t afford. The buzz of insects and the emotions of my mates were my only company for the duration of the trip.

The flat clearing, and familiar ring of logs, finally came into view. It had only been an hour since Ghost left us, but the silence made it feel like an eternity.

Shadow vaulted off his horse and held out his hand to help me down. When my feet hit the ground, I stumbled, and his steady hands gripped my waist until I regained my balance.

I caught him caressing my body with his eyes. Every heated glance was nearly a tangible thing, and when he found my face, I fell into his serious, dark gaze. Emotions surged through the bond on a tidal wave of intensity. Our situation was dangerous, and it was only going to get worse. His fear and love wrapped around me like a hot wind. I licked my lips, finding them parched by the force of it.

He closed the distance between us, and I didn’t back down. I loved being cocooned in his comforting darkness. He couldn’t be close enough. Even when he was inside me and we were one, I knew that I would always want him closer.

No words were needed as his mouth came down on mine. I opened to him with enthusiastic submission as his tongue took control, delving and teasing a groan from my throat. He pulled back, whispering “Shhhh,” against my molten skin.

My grin was automatic. He started this and left me all achy and wanting. Which I was surely broadcasting through the bond. The smug, cocky smile he gave me in return was confirmation enough.

He leaned in and murmured against my ear. “There aren’t cameras in the tunnel but sound travels, so you’ll need to be silent. There’s a communicator in your bag tuned to an encrypted frequency in case we’re separated. And…” He knelt down, pulling my pant leg up.

I wobbled and grabbed his shoulders to avoid falling over as he rummaged through his pack.

“What are you doing?” I hissed, trying to keep my voice from carrying.

He pulled out a dagger and held it where I could see it before sliding it into my boot. The thin sheath and narrow blade fit perfectly against the snug leather. I cocked my head at him in silent question. What was I supposed to do with that?

“Just in case,” was his quiet reply.

He unpacked more blades from his bags, securing them in various places on his person. His boots, his pockets, his sleeves, inside his jacket, there were so many I couldn’t keep track. When he was done, I was surprised he didn’t jingle.

Finally satisfied, he took our packs and stuffed them behind a stand of brush, out of sight of passing patrols, leaving me with a small bag with water, nutrition bars, an electric torch, and the communicator.

Together, we untacked the horses and hid their equipment in the bushes with our other gear. I was hesitant to set the animals loose in the forest all alone, but Shadow leaned in. “Don’t worry, little omega. There’s a stream and plenty of forage. The livestock often have free range of the mountain pastures nearby. We’ll be back to get them soon.”

A relieved breath rushed from my lungs. At least our loyal horses would be safe, even if we wouldn’t be.

Shadow’s rough fingers laced through mine and he drew me to the dark mouth of the cave, but just before he went in, he stopped and turned toward me.

His free hand came up to cup my cheek, framing my face as he looked down at me. I was sure he could feel the throb of my racing pulse as his palm slid down to grip my throat.

“I never thought I could love someone so much that it hurt just to look at them,” he growled. Then his lips fell to mine, and the weight of his emotion coiled around my heart, unwilling to let go. The strength of it swelled behind my ribs until my chest ached with it.

I never thought love would hurt either, but the idea of losing what we’d found was unbearable. Shadow knew better than most how the pain of loss could bring a person to their knees. And we both knew to savor each second because there was no telling what might be through the next door.

We had our part to play in this dangerous gamble, and there was always a chance we could lose it all.

I was breathless and overly warm by the time Shadow’s lips pulled back from mine. His eyes were haunted but resolute. All there was left to do was enact our piece of the plan.

His emotions were heavy with worry, but thick with love. It hung between us, sweet as honey.

Lex and Grey were a distant whisper lingering behind my ribs. Ghost was closer, but higher in elevation. His excitement tickled my throat like a fizzy drink. He’d be ready to pounce soon.

The darkness of the cave’s mouth loomed. I didn’t remember it being so foreboding the last time we’d come. I was letting fear get to me. No one knew we were here. There was nothing to be afraid of. I did my best to convince myself of that as we walked into the shadows.

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