Page 92 of An Empress of Earth & Darkness

Her lashes swept up, and the look that burned from underneath was pure, unintentional seduction. “The one that appears when you feel like living for something other than the hunt.”

Her words smacked his chest again.

“It doesn’t happen often, Mr Serious.” She nudged him, and a tender laugh escaped her. “But when it does, your eyes glitter and your features relax into something…wonderful.”

Again, no air could make its way in or out his lungs, and he could feel an energy running through his spine that was sparking all sorts of forbidden feelings.

“Anyway, thanks for the assortment of foods.” She stood, placing the tray down on the log. “I am going to head over to my tent now, but I trust you will come and find me when everyone else is asleep.” Delight crossed her face and something prosperous danced in his heart. “See you soon, Gideon Blacksteel.”

He watched her as she veered over to Arlo, who rose to follow her to the tent. The younger Stryker took up post, and he could hear Sybil telling him that Gideon would relieve him soon before she disappeared behind the fabric of the tent. With a large exhale, Gideon’s gaze was back on the fire that reminded him so much of her hair.

As the night drew on, hunters trickled off to find their bed beneath the stars or stand guard. Gideon had watched the embers burn down as the camp turned silent. Hushed breathing could be heard over the hooting owl in the distance.

Kellen still hadn’t turned in yet. His younger brother sat on a faraway log, nursing a glass of wine. His eyes were heavy, and it was clear he was doing anything he could to stay awake.

Gideon made his way across the clearing.

“What a wild few days, huh?” He sat next to his youngest brother on the soft forest floor, and even as the stars burned bright in the sky, Gideon could still feel the summer heat clinging to his skin.

“I don’t think wild even cuts it,” Kellen whispered as he took a sip of his wine, spinning a dagger through the fingers in his other hand.

“No, it doesn’t.” Gideon pulled his knees up and clasped his hands around them. “I prayed to the Three-Faced God for you this morning, especially when Torin told me that you were telling everyone today about your Dreams.”

Kellen’s lips pulled down and arched an eyebrow. “And how did that go? Did she listen?” He stabbed the dagger into the ground.

“Who knows?” Gideon drove a hand through his hair that was messy from the salty Tolsah Bay air. “I suppose everyone took your news well.”

“Careful, brother. Every time we think we are getting on our feet, something else happens.” Kellen’s eyes lingered on the blade too long before a yawn broke through. “I can’t remember a time when things have changed so much.”

Gideon nodded as he glanced over at Kellen.

The baby of the Blacksteels was a baby no more.

His jaw was more defined, his arms were bulkier, and his eyebrows pulled down into a scowl. The paleness of the moon’s glow highlighted the lilac circles under Kellen’s haunted eyes that told Gideon he hadn’t had a proper rest in days. Kellen had always been different, gentler and more refined.

Gideon’s voice was soft and gentle as he said, “I am proud of you for letting us know what you are. It was brave of you.” He cast his gaze up to see Kellen’s nostrils flare in apprehension. “You are a member of this family, our blood. The old legend of the seer is not going to change your course in the clan. It doesn’t change anything.”

“Doesn’t it?” Kellen finally looked up. “Because we both know that is not true. If I were not Torin’s brother, I would have been dismissed from my post, treated like I had some sort of plague for hunters. Don’t pretend. I am safe—for now—because of who our commander is. It doesn’t mean I am safe anywhere else. Hunters hate seers. They think they are weak. A curse. A disgrace of Thorin’s blood.”

Something burned deep inside of Gideon. “I have not heard one man mention your gift since we had our briefing.”

Kellen’s glare met Gideon’s, a heavy intensity lingering there. “That’s because my big brother commanded them not to.”

Gideon knew what it was like to have Torin’s legacy cloud his own. He was the first-born son, and in his own way, he was everything a warrior of Thorin should be. No man or beast dared to mess with Gideon or Kellen because they knew they had Torin to answer to. And he had cut down men for less harsh words than what Kellen had mentioned.

“Torin may have commanded that the clan accept you, but we are under new times. Our men are good men. Maybe Torin will bring forth a change in mentality with his commandership. Thorin knows he encourages Emara to do things that the old traditions say she shouldn’t. He allows women to fight with the clan. He allows wolves to fight with the clan. He won’t allow anyone to have a prejudiced outlook on them, so why would he let them do that to you?”

His brother released his bottom lip. “It’s not as easy as that for me. It’s not like everything is right with who I am because I told the clan of my abilities,” Kellen argued. “I know there are going to be men who do not agree that I should fight. I know that men will hold their tongues on what I am because of Torin and because of my name. But it doesn’t mean they will proudly fight next to me like they do with you.”

Gideon’s heart fractured a little. “Well, you know that your brothers will always have your back. We will always support you; that’s what blood does. Fuck anything or anyone else.” He moved in a little closer and lowered his voice. “But until you are sure of who you are and until you own that, you will always find yourself unhappy Kellen, regardless of what others think.”

Gideon knew that to be true because he had felt it, especially after what he did to Emara. When he had stolen the Resurrection Stone and seen the look on her face when she realised what he had done, it had forced him to think about his morals. It had forced him to question who he was as a person and if he was truly happy with what he saw in the mirror. The truth was, he had hated himself.

“I will work on it,” Kellen said unconvincingly as he drained the last of his glass of wine.

“Good.” He patted Kellen on the shoulder and rested his hand there. “I am proud of you. You gave strength a new meaning today.”

“Thanks, big brother,” he choked out.

---