Page 30 of Heir of the Autumn Queen

“It’s castration,” he says coldly, answering his own question.

My eyes widen in surprise.“That’s barbaric.”

“Is it?” he challenges, as darkness somehow seeps out of him, surrounding us on the road. It’s like a storm of black shadows that came straight from his anger, generated by pure emotion. I can feel his power enveloping us, and I have no doubt it could do serious harm to someone, blinding them or choking them if Finn so willed it. But for now, they just swirl around us, obscuring my view of the road and creating a bubble of darkness that’s just me and this powerful male.

I consider his question, only to come to the conclusion that the punishment does seem to fit the crime, no matter how primitive. I shake my head, not wanting to talk about it anymore.“You barely know me, why do you even care?”

“I’d like to know you,” he says softly, the darkness slowly retreating back into him as his eyes lighten back to their normal color. Even though the whole event was unnerving in appearance, I never felt like I was in any danger, which is probably foolish. But somehow, I just know that Finn wouldn’t use his mysterious powerto harm me.

“Does that line work on other females?” I deadpan.

“You’re not like other females,” he counters, smirking.

“What makes you so sure?” I ask playfully, glad to have moved past the intense conversation.

“I knew from the moment I saw you sitting at that card table,” he says, giving me that smile that could compete with the creation itself.

I bark an unladylike laugh.“So did everyone else in that tavern.”

“Fair enough,” he concedes.“Then I knew last night when I saw you render two grown-ass men utterly useless with only your fists.” I can hear the smile in his voice even though we’re walking side by side.

“They were out of shape.” I downplay my own heroism. I sneak a look at Finn to find him watching me with an expression I can’t quite place. There’s warmth there, but also sadness, or maybe pity? Whatever it is, I look away to escape his always-demanding gaze.

We walk quietly for a while, both of us content to be in our own thoughts before he starts up another conversation.“Why aren’t you riding Shadow?”

“I’ve only ridden when she’s invited me to do so. Plus, you don’t have a mount, so that would be rude,” I answer, reaching into my bag for my canteen and taking a long swig.

Finn flares his wings widely, a cocky grin on his face.“Let me rephrase… why aren’t we flying?”

I choke on the swallow of water going down my throat.“No way.” I cough and shake my head fervently.

“It would be even faster than riding.” He tries to convince me.

“Absolutely not. Shadow and I haven’t spent enough time together for that.” I hold my ground.

“Then I’ll carry you,” Finn says as if it’s completely normal to suggest carrying someone you just met through the sky at gods-know what altitude in very close physical proximity.

“That sounds even worse than flying with Shadow,” I joke, my stomach flipping at the thought of the sheer amount of physicality necessary for that scenario. His strong arms wrapped around my body. His smell enveloping me. His muscular torso flush against mine.

Nope. Definitely not happening.

Finn places his hand over his heart and feigns offense.“You wound me, m’lady.”

I roll my eyes.“I hope it takes more than that to wound you, sir. And I’m not a lady,” I tease, enjoying the banter, even though I’m trying not to.

“Come on, Trouble. It will be fun, and we’ll cut our travel time in half.” His wings flare wider now as if tasting the air.

“I’m not in any hurry,” I say, trying to find a way out of it. I don’t think I’m necessarilyscaredof flying, but I’ve never done it, and I don’t like doing new things unless I know I’ll be good at them, especially in front of virtual strangers.

“Are you… afraid?” Finn asks, raising that scarred eyebrow with a glint in his eye.

“No,” I say as sternly as I can. I just don’t want to be clinging to him like a helpless little spider monkey while hurtlingthrough the sky at an unknown speed.

“Don’t you trust me?” he asks, sounding genuinely curious to hear the answer.

“I don’t even know you,” I snap, annoyed that he hasn’t dropped the topic.

“Are you always this stubborn?” Finn huffs, clearly exacerbated that he lost the battle of wills.

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