Page 44 of Fallen Star

He watches me, clearly aware of the fact that I’m seconds away from bursting into tears. But he doesn’t push me to talkabout it. Instead, he’s quiet, giving me space to decide what I want to say, and what I don’t.

“I can’t stop thinking about her,” I eventually tell him, finishing off another berry.

He sets his food aside and leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “You’re carrying the weight of this like it’s your fault,” he says. “But it’s not.”

“I brought her here. Because of a stupidbracelet.”I motion to the delicate sapphire bracelet around my wrist—the one thing my mother’s ever given me—suddenly hating the piece of jewelry that I’ve always loved. “If I’d just left her back in Presque Isle, she’d be safe right now. Not—” My chest tightens, and I force myself to take a shaky breath. “Not wherever that dark angel took her.”

“We have every reason to believe she’s still alive,” he repeats what he told me earlier, as if he’s trying to will the truth into the world. “After our deal is completed—when I’ve given my father the potion, and the Winter Court is stable again—we’ll do what we can to find her.”

I want to believe him.

But all I can see as we finish off the food is Zoey’s terrified face as that dark angel carried her away.

“Try to sleep,” he says once we’re done eating. “Ghost and I will keep the first watch.”

I laugh bitterly. “Sleep. Sure. Like that’s going to happen.”

He gives me a pointed look. “You need rest. You’re no good to Zoey—or to yourself—if you don’t take care of your body.”

“I can’t just turn my brain off,” I say, pulling my knees tight to my chest. “Every time I close my eyes, I see her. I hear her scream. I can’t justforget.”

“Here.” Riven reaches into his pack and pulls out a familiar vial of dark blue liquid. “This won’t make you forget. But it will help ease your mind.”

I bolt upright, my exhaustion forgotten as fury surges through me. “You want to drug me?”

“It’s the same relaxation potion I gave Zoey,” he says. “You saw how it helped her?—”

“No.” I glare at him. “I willnottake something to ‘relax’ me when I’m alone with you. Not after how pushy you’ve been with me ever since I got here.”

His expression darkens. “You think I’d—“ He cuts himself off, jaw clenching. “Is that really what you think of me?”

“For as long as we’ve known each other, you’ve made your intentions quite clear.”

“Unbelievable,” he mutters, shaking his head. “You think I’d drug you? That I’d—” He cuts himself off, exhaling sharply, his voice dropping dangerously low. “Trust me, Summer Fae. If I wanted you in my bed that badly, I wouldn’t need to resort to a potion. It ruins the fun if they’re not willing.”

The crude words hit like a slap.

“Wow. You’re a shining example of chivalry.” I glare at him again, shivering as the wind picks up around us.

“And you’re being ridiculous.” He runs his hand through his dark hair, frost crystallizing at his fingertips. “You’ve been awake for over a day. You’re exhausted, you’re emotional, and you’re no good to anyone—especially Zoey—if you can’t even think straight.”

“I’m fine.”

“You nearly fell off Ghost three times in the last hour.”

“I said I’m fine.”

“For the love of—” He takes a deep breath, the frost retreating from his hands as he tries to calm himself.

When he speaks again, his voice is steadier. “You don’t want the potion? Fine. But at least let me help you another way.”

I eye him suspiciously. “What way?”

“Breathing exercises. Meditation techniques. Things I’ve learned over the years from my training.” His lips quirk slightly. “Unless you think I can somehow seduce you through breathing exercises?”

Despite everything, I laugh. “I wouldn’t put it past you to try.”

“There she is.” His expression softens. “Come on. Sit down before you fall down.”

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