Page 28 of From Frost to Flame

“Maybe I want more than that,” he said, throwing his hands up. Tears welled as he said it. “Maybe I want him back, and maybe he wants me. Remember, I said the breakup didn’t make sense?”

“Let’s say you’re right, and he gave you a reason. Would you really go back after what he did?” Mora asked with a pitying look. “Could you really go back to a man that cut you off cold after ten years?”

“I don’t know.” He squeezed his eyes shut trying to think. “I’m so confused it hurts.”

“This is my fault.” Julian scowled. “I should have just gone and kidnapped some humans or something. I shouldn’t have let him get close to you again.”

“It’s not your fault. It’s no one’s fault.” Lex took a breath to quell his frustration. “I know you both care about me, but I want to figure this out. Can you please be supportive? Even if it’s just for a little while?”

They stayed silent, not willing to budge, and Lex’s heart ached. The three of them hadn’t disagreed on much in the past century together, and to have them so firmly against him hurt deep in his chest.

The cabin door swung open and, as Castor and Silas came over, his family dragged him away.

Chapter Seven

Silas

Once they left thebloodstained cabin, they trekked steadily east at the compass’s direction. Lex’s prediction was spot-on, as usual. It led them straight into the depths of the unruly belly of the Infinite Nymph Forest. Thorny brush and tall, tangled fruit trees covered every inch of the rolling hills. The walk was strenuous and made only worse by the backpacks everyone but Lex wore full of supplies.

Silas wanted to express how much he appreciated Lex’s insight, but Lex’s family acted as a constant barrier to any meaningful conversation. Hours into the walk and they continuously kept Lex at least five paces away from Silas. Castor stayed by his side and gave sympathetic looks when they tugged Lex further ahead.

No matter how far ahead they guided Lex, Silas's focus didn’t wane. He noticed the way Lex’s steps grew incrementally slower and the subtle way he winced as he lifted his hand to check the direction of the compass.

“Lex, you still doing okay?” Silas raised his voice to be heard over his family’s constant chatter and the low hum of cicadas in the distance.

“Yep.” Another forced smile spread on Lex’s face as he ducked under a low-hanging branch from a massive orange tree. Its thorny limbs scratched at his hood on the back of his cloak but didn’t catch. “The hills and all the fallen logs are making the walk a bit tiring, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”

Silas found it equally concerning and impressive that Lex could smile as if he weren’t struggling through ever-expanding pain. “If walking gets too difficult, I can carry you.” He tensed at the ragged breath Lex took before he spoke.

“That won’t be necessary.” He wiped sweat off his face with the sleeve of his cloak. “I don’t want to be a burden.”

“It wouldn’t be a burden. You’re feather light for me.” His anxiety continued to grow as he watched his mate sit in pain. Every instinct told him to fix it.

“He said he’s fine.” Julian draped an arm around Lex and pulled him close. “Quit asking.”

“Jules, stop it,” Lex snipped.

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