Page 168 of Bane of the Wild Hunt

But Helena did not need to restrain me because I did not retaliate at the sensation of Amira’s fingers in my hair. I might have assumed it was because she did not pull on me the way the barmaid had. But then she accidentally snagged a windblown curl that produced a sharp prickle on my scalp before it was combed loose. And then there was no denying that it was more complicated than simply having a visceral reaction to having my hair pulled.

Amira did not make my skin crawl. Her touch was not presumptuous or demanding or even sexual. It was filled with nothing but sympathy and affection that felt so good that I could only close my eyes to savour it. She brushed her fingers through my hair again, this time allowing the tips of her fingers to drag against my scalp, and it was honestly the most soothing thing I’d ever felt in my life.

Gods, hadanyoneever touched me like that? Not that I would have let them try, but had I really been repelling the very thing that may have helped me this whole time?

I suddenly couldn’t breathe again, and my head started to spin so hard I thought I might be sick.

“Amira—” Helena tried to warn the witch.

“It’s okay,” Amira said softly, and I was not sure if she was talking to me or Helena. “Look at me,” she implored, and I knew she meant me this time. “Orion,” she insisted when I shook myhead. Her sweet voice hardened with just enough authority that it was…

Grounding.

I sucked in a steadying breath before raising my eyes to hers, and then it felt like I fell into those amber depths with a force that was as unquestionable as gravity.

“It’s okay,” she promised again, giving me a small but reassuring smile as she reached for my hand. She dragged it off my thigh to grip in both of hers only to hesitate and glance down when she must have felt how mangled my knuckles were. I was so numb that I didn’t even feel the pain as the scabs cracked open anymore. “What have you been doing to yourself?” she whispered in horror.

“Sparring,” I answered hoarsely, but rather than being comforted, she looked at me with growing concern.

“Let’s talk somewhere more private,” she proposed.

“Amira, do not go alone,” whispered Sofia.

“Out of the question,” Ares declared at the same time.

They were very right to be worried. I had not been this unstable and reactive in many years, and just because I wascurrentlyin control didn’t mean I could not easily be triggered. It would not be Amira’s fault any more than it was the fault of the barmaid who wanted my attention and decided to get it by playfully tugging on my hair.

So yes, logically, I knew better than to take her away.

But I was not being logical. I was operating under the same selfishness that made me accept Riordan’s request to become hisskiáeven when I knew that it was a bad idea. When I knew that I was not only unfit for him, but that it would become complicated when he chose a female mate whom he’d expect to share with me. The same ruthless selfishness that kept me alive in the Rookery in spite of a drunkard father who seemed like he would kill me next after he took my brother from me. And in spite ofa whore mother who was determined to make me earn my keep the only way she knew how after I got my father arrested and finally removed from our lives.

So when Amira extended a lifeline, it was inevitable that I would capitalize like the loathsome wretch I was… And I reacted before the voice in my head could remind me that I had no right to this. Before anyone else could try and stop me from taking her away from them.

I snagged Amira, scooping her up and clenching her possessively to my chest as I stood. My left wing whipped back with enough force to knock an infuriated Ares to the ground before he could grab me. Sofia screamed for her mistress as I launched into the air and began to fly away.

“Just let him go! Let Riordan handle it. You will only get her hurt if you chase them,” I heard Helena shouting before I gained too much altitude to hear Ares retort.

I was one of the fastest and strongest fliers in Ergastiri, so within mere seconds, my wings had propelled us away from the city and over the dark lake.

Amira felt like she was trying to squeeze my head off with how tightly she was holding onto me. I had seen the careful way Riordan was always sure to carry her, so I supposed she must be unappreciative of my erratic flying. Once a quick glance behind us confirmed we were not being followed, I slowed our pace until she eased.

Aside from Helena, who was the only woman I trusted enough to touch me so we could spar, I had not been so close to a female in many years. And I did not remember it ever feeling… likethis. Thrilling. Captivating. I was so enthralled by her scent that I almost dipped my face into her neck to inhale it. I didn’t bother trying to stop myself from drawing every breath deliberately so the air flowed over myadénes,and I couldtasteher. So I could savour all of her exhilaration, her curiosity, and her annoyance.

“Was that really necessary, Orion? Iwantedto come,” she reminded me testily once our speed decreased enough for her to feel comfortable.

“They would not have allowed you to go with me.”

“You didn’t give me a chance totalkto Ares. He was just doing his job protecting me,” she tried to assure me.

“You could not have convinced him.”

“Why not?” she demanded in confusion.

“Because I am not safe, Amira. Have you really not… figured that out yet?”

She was quiet for a moment, and I knew that she was probably checking in with Riordan to see if she had made a mistake in agreeing to be alone with me.

“I don’t think you are unsafe. Neither does Riordan,” she said finally.

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