Page 63 of Blood and War
Kellan ran his own shaking hand down his face, his breath leaving in a rush. He waited a few more minutes outside before he dared follow. Needing to calm his own breathing. Despite his body screaming at him, he had to let her walk away. He shouldn’t do whatever the hell it was they were doing, but at least he knew where she stood.
Thirty-Seven
DEMITRIA
Demitria watched the entrance with bated breath, listening as the argument raged on beyond the entrance as she leaned against Jace. She could hear Eire shouting as the siblings fought and had a growing suspicion it was over what happened last night between her and Kellan. Her people had been none the wiser, the Horsemen were different.
Demitria didn’t know how to go about the morning. The sun had broken over the horizon nearly an hour ago, yet they stood waiting in the cavern as the embers of the nights fire died into nothing, sucking the remaining warmth with it.
When Kellan rounded the corner, her heartbeat quickened at the sight of him. She could see his narrowed gaze from where she stood. The scowl on his face as he all but stormed through the entrance. He didn’t look happy. She felt her body take a step in his direction. His eyes met hers. She should say something. Anything. Neither of them had said a word to each other after last night.
“Morning.” Not exactly what she’d had in mind, but it was something. Absently, she took a step away from Jace. Putting distance between them.
“Good morning.” His gaze didn’t break. Staring at her. Into her. Like he was reading every thought. Like he knew exactly what she was thinking. It took every ounce of strength she had in her to not take those few steps forward. To throw her arms around him and press her body flush against him like she wanted.
Stop.
Her mind screamed at her. Scolded her for even thinking it. They’d agreed it wasn’t right. That they couldn’t pursue anything between them, despite that tether pulling them together. But the way he’d felt last night. The warmth of his skin beneath her fingers. The feel of his hands on her as she?—
Enough!
“I take it we’re leaving?” She had to look away. Her body would betray her if she didn’t. Any moment, she’d lose.
“Your little tiff with your sister over?” Will laughed. She was thankful, for once. His outburst had drawn Kellan from her. Pulled those azure eyes away, and she could feel her breathing even. Her heart slowing.
“Get your things together.” He huffed. She could hear the hardness in it. He was angry. He wanted to say something, but he wouldn’t. Demitria imagined fighting with his siblings drained him. “We’re leaving.” All she could hear was the thud of his boots along the rock as he left once more. She should go after him. Talk to him. Figure out what exactly had been bothering him.
She didn’t.
Jace looked at her, his brow raised in question. She couldn’t tell him what had happened with Kellan while he slept. Didn’t think he’d understand any of it. Hell, even she didn’t, really.
She must be sick. Twisted, somehow. Kellan had tried to kill her merely weeks ago, but she’d let him touch her last night. Hadn’t wanted him to stop when he’d pulled away as quickly ashe had. She’d contemplated begging him to come back as that feeling pooled within her.
Demitria just shrugged. “We should probably head out. Gabriel said we leave at dawn, and we’re already late.” She took another step away from Jace, placing one foot in front of the other until she was passing between the stalagmites at the entrance, and out into the early morning air.
The siblings sat atop their mounts, waiting for her and her people with hard expressions on their faces. Gabriel’s lips held in a firm line, while Eire scowled toward the entrance. At her, it almost seemed like. Kane was the only one looking away, his piercing blue eyes fixated on the canyon before them.
Kellan stood beside his mount, holding his reins in one hand while the other held Atlas. He whispered something to the horse. Atlas nudged him softly, blowing a soft breath from his nose as if in understanding. Curiosity spiked within her, and Demitria found herself wishing to know what he’d said, and if Atlas had truly understood.
The silence was unnatural. For hours, the air had been tense. The Horsemen had split themselves among the group. Gabriel took up the front, Eire at the rear. Kane rode silently in the middle. Evan, Cory, and Jace walked together, but neither of them spoke. The twins conversed quietly behind. Laughing over something that she didn’t care to know about. Demitria rode alone on Atlas, but Kellan wasn’t ever too far off. She stole a glance toward him, only to find him already watching her. She couldn’t help the smile, and his features softened. Eyes gentle.
“Is everything okay?” She asked, voice barely above a whisper, but he heard her. Kellan only nodded. “Would you tellme if it wasn’t?” Nothing. Didn’t shake his head, just continued watching. Her sigh was loud as she glanced away.
“I would tell you.” His leg brushed hers as Kellan pushed his mount up beside her. So close their shoulders nearly touching. “Always.”
“What’s going on?” She wouldn’t meet his gaze. Could feel the eyes of the others as they burned into her back. Watching. Straining to hear the conversation being had between them.
“Nothing I can’t handle.”
She could hear the amusement in his voice. Demitria stole another glance at him. He was looking straight ahead, but the smile was there.
“Kellan.” She sighed again.
“She knows.”
She knew who he was talking about. It shouldn’t have come as a surprise after last night. “That’s what it was about. She knows, and she lost it.” Demitria stayed silent. Waiting for him to continue. “Threatened to turn me into the council.”
“She can’t!” She didn’t think as her hand reached for his. Enclosing around it as her heart near stopped. She remembered what he’d told her about his parents. How the council slaughtered his mother because of the choices his father made. Would the council kill him, too? “She wouldn’t do that!” Pulling Atlas to a halt, body whirling around in the saddle so she was facing him. Not daring to let go, or caring who was watching.
