Page 129 of Bound By Darkness

Chapter 38

Battle Moves

THALIA

The wind whippedmy face violently as the bitter cold bit at my cheeks. My feet stumbled and bucked over the rocky terrain as I descended faster and faster, my muscles familiar with the stretch and pull. They had grown much stronger.

I had grown much stronger in the months since my departure from the prison.

I ignored the calls of those around me, their attempts falling on deaf ears as I rounded the corners of tents and caravans, my fingers pushing off solid wood to gain momentum.

My legs and lungs were on fire as I pushed past the bleeding in my ears and the roaring in my heart as I inched closer to the riders.

“Thalia!” Ivan yelled behind me. “Hold on!”

I refused to stop… to glance back at the man trailing my path.

He caught up with the wind’s help, his powerful legs keeping a steady jog beside me. “They still have to?—”

I pushed further, the tents breaking away like a solid wall.The exertion hurt my lungs, and my legs threatened to collapse as I stood in greeting.

The camp sat behind me, the wind blowing my hair in wild directions as my hand raised to cover my wavering lips. The rider spotted me, the horse picking up speed with its final gallops.

I stepped forward, but Ivan gently held his hand against my shoulder. “It’s a tradition riders meet us here on the outskirts of the camp, where the rocks outline,” he said, pointing to the various rocks lined on either side of the gravel road. “The gods have blessed them this far. Let them finish their quest.”

And so I did the hardest thing I had to complete since leaving her behind months ago.

I waited.

I waited until the horses stamped the ground, their voices carrying like a trumpet across the land. I waited, even as sobs wrecked my body in anticipation. I waited until the rider jumped from the horse, her slim figure bolting across the distance until her hands wrapped around me in a tight hug. My lips loosened as I wept upon her shoulder for the friend I had dearly missed and risked my life for.

She was okay. She was more than okay as tears cascaded down my cheeks, smearing kohl and water across her shirt.

Moria clapped my back once more before tentatively stepping away, her hands resting on my shoulders. She squeezed each as tears glistened in her eyes, her smile full of relief. “You’re here.”

I furiously wiped the tears from my face, my hair sticking to the wetness. “You’re here.”

Moria smiled, her shoulders seeming to lift in response. “You’re…not hurt or anything?” she asked, her eyes assessing for damage.

“No, no. I’m fine,” I said as I waved a hand. “I should be asking you.”

Moria smiled as her fingers let go of my shoulders

The other rider, a blonde-haired woman, strode beside Moria, her hand cradling her arm to her chest. “Iappreciate this touching moment, but we have essential matters to take care of first.”

“You look like shit,” Ivan mused, his arms crossing over his chest.

The woman scoffed. “Same to you. Were you busy at a brothel?”

Ivan slid an arm over my shoulders, the weight light. “Something like that.”

The woman lifted a brow, her eyes flicking to his tousled hair… and to me as Ivan gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze. It sent heat spiraling down my spine.

The cocky bastard.

Moria’s gaze flicked over to me, a thousand questions shining behind her pallid mask.

I averted her gaze as my fingers interlocked in front of me.Thatwould be a question for another time.

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