Page 130 of Bound By Darkness

Ivan cleared his throat, his arm slinging from my shoulders in greeting.

Moria clasped his hand in a tight handshake.

“Ivan. A pleasure to meet the famous Moria.”

She looked puzzled, but it vanished quickly as her hand fell at her side. “Likewise. I’m sure there will bemuchto discuss.”

The woman beside her scoffed. “Ivan, Moria, Naexi. Can we save the introductions for later?” She huffed. “My arm is dangling out of its socket.”

Ivan jerked his head toward camp. “You know where the medic tent is.”

“Asshole,” she muttered before walking down the hillside.

“I have to go, too. Iyanna is waiting,” Moria said softly. “I’ll come find you after. I have to?—”

“I know. Iyanna is… Iyanna,” I answered as she squeezed my hand.

Moria chuckled. “Then you have met her.” She lingered next to me as her eyes assessed me once more. “I’ve never thanked the gods, but to see you here?—”

Her eyes closed for a second as an old prayer lamented from her lips. “I am grateful we get more time together.” Tears pricked her eyes as the golden flecks inside sparkled. “I… I have to go, but I will find you right after.”

Tears pricked mine as I nodded. “I’ll wait.”

Moria glanced back once more before heading to Iyanna’s tent.

Ivan shook his hand, a deep groan leaving his lips once she disappeared. “Holy hells, she’s strong.”

I laughed. “She is from Raha.”

“Which means?—”

“Born and raised,” I said. “Which is why you shouldn’t piss her off.”

“So I can piss you off instead?”

My face heated. “Not what I meant.”

He tugged me close, my body pressed against every crevice of his. A wall of trained muscle rested against mine as he brushed a few strands of wind-whipped hair from my face. “I would have to disagree, as I’m sure you’ll turn a lovely shade of red when I whisper depraved words to you.”

I opened my mouth, but my head spun with impure fantasies. My body heated where it stood—burned in places that had me shifting back and forth, the friction creating more heat against his skin and mine.

He grinned at the expression across my face, his words having achieved the desired.

“I—we should head back,” I stuttered as my feetslid back to create a singular stone of space. It wasn’t enough. Being in the same camp wasn’t enough to quell the fire stirring below my waist.

“Right.” His hands stuffed into his back pockets as we started walking back. “Are you going to wait by Iyanna’s tent?”

I nodded, my feet picking up to a light walk. “Yes.”

“I’m sure Moria will be excited to talk to you after how much time has passed.”

“Yeah,” I replied. Clearing my throat, I glanced back at him. “Thank you.”

Ivan stopped.

“Thank you,” I repeated. “Thank you for everything you’ve done. I know Moria being here is not your doing, but without your deal… without you rescuing me, she wouldn’t be here. We wouldn’t be safe.”

A hand ruffled my hair. “Anytime,half-breed.” A grin formed across his lips. “Let’s call it even by you owing me a favor.”

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