Page 19 of Her Immortal Mate

"I don't make decisions based on sentiment." His voice is gruff. "You're qualified. So you're going."

But I don't quite think that's the reason he refuses to leave me here at the camp.

9

EIKE

Light filters through the canopy as we leave the camp. Raziel and Brinda are ahead of me and Raina and Dominik behind. Mae stands close to my side, her copper hair catching the silver light. The urge to keep her near pulses through my blood.

"Looks like we could make the flight in half an hour." Raziel's voice carries across our small group. His dark wings fold against his back as he surveys the surrounding forest. "As long as everyone can do that?"

I look to Mae. "Do you mind if I carry you?"

She shakes her head, and I give Raziel a nod. He scans the others, but those of us with him all have strong wings and a good glamour.

I stop, having Mae move her pack so it rests against her chest, and I wrap my arms under her legs and behind her head, cradling her against me. She feels so perfect and I breathe in her scent.

"Is this okay?" she asks as she shifts her arms around my neck, and I nod.

"Hold on tight."

Her eyes flash with a hint of wariness just as I push off the ground, my wings beating as we take to the sky. I didn't carry Mae last time because I didn't mind the long walk with her, and unlike some vrakken, I prefer being on the ground.

Maybe the whispers that I'm too human are true.

Mae gasps as we launch through the air, her hands digging into the back of my neck, and I chuckle, my wings opening and leveling us out. "Never flown?" I guess.

"Do you see wings on my back?" she snaps.

I try to suppress my laughter this time. But as I fly, she slowly relaxes, twisting to watch everything below. I study her face, loving having her this close up. We haven't had a moment like this since we met, and I'm savoring what little I can get.

The forest thins as we head east, giving way to rocky terrain. The magic pulses stronger with each step, a familiar tingle that sets my teeth on edge. Mae notices my tension.

"You feel it already?" Her whisper barely carries.

"Ja. Gets stronger near the caves." My wings twitch, responding to the energy. "Like static before a storm."

Raziel signals a halt ahead. The rocky outcropping looms before us, its jagged face piercing the sky. The entrance is a slash of deeper black against the stone.

"Magic's thick here." Raziel moves forward, his ancient eyes narrowed. "I see what you mean, Eike."

"It feels raw." Brinda says, hovering beside him. "Untapped."

I set Mae down gently as we land, my hands lingering longer than necessary. The cave mouth yawns before us, darkness spilling out like ink across the rocky ground.

Raziel steps forward. "Eike, Brinda - you're with me. We'll check the portal." He turns to the others. "The rest of you stay here. Keep watch."

My jaw clenches. Leaving Mae exposed, even with guards, sets my teeth on edge. But I know better than to challenge Raziel's command.

Mae catches my eye. "Go. We'll be fine."

I nod and follow Raziel into the cave, Brinda close behind. The darkness swallows us, but our eyes adjust quickly. The stone walls pulse with veins of magic, casting a faint blue glow.

"This way." I point left where the magic feels strongest, like pins pricking under my skin.

Brinda's wings rustle in the confined space. "The energy's different here. Older."

"More concentrated," Raziel agrees, running his hand along the wall. "Like it's been building."

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