Page 74 of Blooms of Darkness

I pursed my lips, obeying, and felt Kade’s presence lessen beside me as he dropped back. My palms were slick as I re-gripped the reins in my hand.

We’d yet to come out of a drop with no attacks, and we were almost to our destination.

In the distance a call sounded in the sky, one which mimicked Ian’s hawk.

My heart stuttered in my chest.

It was Leif. Or Corbin.

I just didn’t know what it meant yet.

Chapter 21

No one spoke a word as an additional call sounded.

Ian raised his voice. “We’re clear.”

The three of us followed his lead, racing toward the drop point, ducking under the branches, and jumping over the thicker brush, which crept into our path. As we cleared Eomer Forest, the lakeside sparkled in the sun before us. The sky reflected onto the water, a vision of the sunset lay upon its turquoise surface. The carriage of goods Leif and Corbin packed came into view.

We waited approximately an hour by the side of Logan Lake for the Fae in need. While we were focused on remaining safe as we waited, the raw magnificence of nature filled me with awe. I had never traveled this far out of Ellevail before, and it took my breath away. I knew I would never be able to memorize every color of the blazing sunset before me.

Without any interruptions or ambushes, the Fae retrieved their request and left. Unharmed. It was a simple drop. Simple like it used to be. My shoulders sagged with relief. I lifted my head toward the sky, whispering my thanks to nature for its protection on this day.

With the first part of our mission complete, we set up camp for the night. While we could likely make it to Starhaven before morning, traveling at night could lead to disaster, especially with everything that had happened recently, and the creatures who liked to lurk in the dark.

“Perhaps, it’s a sign—the luck we’ve had thus far,” Ian said as he began gathering wood to make a fire. We’d left Storm and Kade at the campsite to set up our bedrolls and prepare the area.

I found a blueberry bush nearby and collected a plethora of berries in an extra bag for us to eat, popping a few in my mouth for good measure along the way. The sweet juice slicked my tongue.

“I’m not sure, but I am grateful it went as smoothly as it did.”

Ian’s hands were filled, ready to return. I hadn’t had as much success as I wanted to yet, so when he turned to head back to the campsite, I waved him on. “I think that’s a raspberry bush just around the corner. I’m going to pick those and be right back.”

Ian hesitated a moment, an internal struggle within to give me space in this unknown area and to fulfill his duty as my personal guard. But a moment later, he relinquished the reins and allowed me to continue down the path to the raspberry bush alone.

One day, I’d return Brookmere to safety. Enjoying various trips, and the lushness of the land outside Ellevail wouldn’t be a rarity anymore. I’d make sure of it. Somehow.

Exactly as I thought, near the edge of the woods, bloomed a raspberry bush. Its plump ripe red berries were bursting to be picked. I followed the trail of bushes, grabbing the reddest of the bunch.

Once my bag couldn’t hold any more berries, I followed the windy path to exit the woods. The trail led to a small, secluded part of the lake to my left. A runoff perhaps, since I hadn’tnoticed any additional water source earlier while we waited to complete the drop.

I savored the silence and the moment alone. The trickling water hummed, resembling a gentle lullaby in the night air. I turned to head back to camp when I noticed a pile of clothes on the ground next to the edge of the lake.

I frowned, reaching down to pick up the garments when Kade’s head surfaced to the top of the lake, his black hair slicked back as he stared out into the calm waters beyond.

Slowly he emerged, and the thick muscles, upon muscles, rippling along his back stole all my focus—and my rationality.

Fates above.The man was utterly intoxicating. Water beaded on his skin as he stood higher, eventually stopping when the water hit his hips.

He ran his hands over his hair, his muscles tightening as he did. The swirling black marks I’d only seen peeking from his shirt before, continued up his arm and around his right shoulder. Gorgeous. A deadly-looking twining of inky shadows crawled over his skin.

I wanted to run my fingers over them, tracing the lines slowly.

Get it together.

I clenched my teeth, somehow believing the move could subdue the need coursing through my body.

I am a grown woman. I've seen plenty of shirtless men.

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