Page 30 of A Shard of Ice

“Like what?” he mutters. “What are you talking about?”

“You know what I mean. Like she is a piece of choice meat. Have some respect.”

“Don’t tell me what to do. You have no say over me, fae. I can look at Kyrie any which way I choose to look at her.”

I chuckle. “Actually, I have every say over you,human,” I spit out the word. “I get to say whether you return with us to civilization or whether you are left here for the next group of fae passing through. You’ll end up back at the salt mine if I choose to leave you.”

“Kyrie wouldn’t do that to me. She would never allow it. We humans need to stick together. We need to stand strong against you filth.”

“Kyrie will side with me,” I bluff. “We are a team. We’re still close friends. The fact of the matter is that she and I would have a much better chance of making it if we left you behind. Don’t tempt me to do that,” I speak under my breath when I hear her approaching.

“I will not stand for—”

“Is everything alright?” Kyrie asks. She’s draped her still-damp linen scarf around her shoulders. It does a good job of protecting her modesty.

“We’re doing fine,” I tell her. “Cyrano was just thanking me for saving his life.”

Kyrie smiles. “Good, I’m glad.” She sits next to Cyrano, who takes a long pull from the skin.

I offer Kyrie a big bunch of dates. They look ripe and sticky.

Her eyes light up. “Those look amazing.” She picks one, puts it in her mouth, and groans. I’m ashamed to say that the sound shoots straight to my cock, making me no better than Cyrano.

I change my sitting position so that the growing bulge isn’t obvious. I notice how Cyrano is staring, too. I don’t like the way he is looking at her. I don’t like it one bit.

I hand him a bunch as well, but he hardly acknowledges me as Kyrie puts another plump date into her mouth. Her eyes flutter shut, and she moans again.

Cyrano’s mouth falls open, and he licks his lips.

Bastard.

I almost don’t want Kyrie to have any of the ripe figs. I hand her two, anyway, making sure to pick the best ones.

Her eyes go wide. “These look so good.” She bites into one, juice running down her chin. She licks it up, smiling.

She doesn’t seem to notice that neither of us is eating. Right now, all of our focus is on her. Although, that’s not quite true for me, as some of my focus is on Cyrano as well. On how he is leering at Kyrie. I narrow my eyes.

I hand him a fig. “Eat your fruit,” I tell him, scowling. My jaw tightens. Everything tightens. I am sure to project my feelings with my eyes. I sincerely hope that they are shooting daggers.

His eyes flare with fear. Good! He should be afraid. I healed him, but I can break him again just as easily. I know I have no right to be possessive of Kyrie, but I can’t help it. I’m used toprotecting her. It’s become second nature. It doesn’t matter that she doesn’t see herself as my friend anymore.

We eat in silence for a while, ending our meal with a piece of meat jerky I took from the saddlebag earlier.

Kyrie pats her stomach. “I’m full. I haven’t been full in forever.” She smiles. “I could get used to it.”

“I feel so much better.” Cyrano yawns.

“You should rest,” Kyrie tells him.

“Kyrie is right. Get all the rest you need because we leave in the morning,” I tell them. “Do you think you’ll be ready by then?”

“Do I have a choice?”

“Yes. But understand that the longer we stay, the more chance we have of being recaptured.”

Cyrano purses his lips. Then he puts his tongue on the roof of his mouth. I can see he’s being difficult just to get a rise out of me.

It doesn’t work. I wait him out.

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