Page 76 of The Edge of Dawn

Just thinking about it sent a ripple of anticipation down her spine. Tiny goosebumps appeared on her forearms. She squirmed a little, causing the fluid material of her robes to slide over her skin.

Why did he do that?

He’d come all this way just to tell her he was leaving on a mission?

All this time, he’d been hovering protectively around her like a silent shadow, and a certain familiarity had developed—to the point where she’d almost forgotten what he was.

“You’re a professional warrior, then? A soldier?”

“Something like that.”

She’d blurted the question without thinking about it too much—utterly naive on her part.

His response had been tinged with deep, indecipherable emotion. For a moment, he’d become terribly cold, a glacial stranger. Of course, she already knew he wasn’t an ordinary soldier. What kind of soldier had psychic abilities?

What was he really, to react that way?

She closed her eyes and sighed, allowing herself to flop backward onto the bed. The surface was firm, not soft and pillowy like the beds she was used to on Earth. But it wasn’t uncomfortable. In fact, it seemed to mold against her body.

She twisted and writhed, tangling herself in her sumptuous robes and the soft sheets that were laid out on the bed.

This restlessness…

She’d never experienced anything like it before. Frantic energy was building up inside her like steam, with nowhere to go. She was hot and flustered. Tingly all over. There was no way she could rest in this state.

She’d felt restlessness before; in fact, she was always restless, to the point where people close to her would complain about the fact that she could never sit still, but she’d never felt like this before…

She couldn’t get him out of her head. That damn Kordolian.

At the start, he’d been almost indifferent toward her, but suddenly, he’d thawed.

When had things changed?

Why?

The sensation of pressure intensified to the point where she could barely stand it. And still, she couldn’t get his image out of her mind.

Her frustration spilled over.

What the hell was that, Dragek?

Hm. You called?

Huh? Her eyes snapped open as his voice echoed inside her head, as loud and clear as if he were standing right next to her. How did you get in my head again? I thought you left.

I did. And I did not get inside your head. I’m not the one who initiated the mindspeech.

Well, neither did I.

Are you sure?

I… don’t know how to do that.

It appears you do. Don’t underestimate yourself.

How was she supposed to tell him she hadn’t done anything at all but conjure his image in her mind? Actually, she hadn’t even needed to conjure anything. The memory of him was so potent it had driven her to this.

It was an accident. I didn’t intend to. Are you sure you’re not doing anything right now? Jade’s suspicion grew.

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