Page 34 of Ties of Death

Storm slinks into the jungle to find himself some lunch, and I hurry to unpack mine and Daenn’s. The monks were kind enough to send us with provisions thatshouldlast us until we reach the second temple. This meal is some sort of softened leaf wrapped around a mix of rice and spiced vegetables. The entire thing is tart, as if it was fermented after being wrapped together. It’s strange but delicious.

I’m full after three of the small wraps, but Daenn’s reaching for another by the time Storm returns and flops onto the earth nearby.

I wipe my hands and study Daenn. The bracer’s copper color, even dulled, stands out against his armor.

“How are you feeling?” I ask lightly, doing my best to hide the worry threaded through every word.

He tenses. Not so much in body language, but tension and guilt radiate through him to me over the bond as he speaks. “Fine.”

The single word, the emotions behind it, punches the air from my lungs. He just… He lied to me.

I’m certain of it; it’s the only thing that explains the guilt I’m sensing. Even if he’s hiding it, casually finishing off another wrap in one bite.

Daenn has never lied to me before. Not before when he was my Daenn, and not even as the king he is now, since my return. Maybe he withheld information, but outright lying?

No.

It worries me that he feels the need to hide the truth from me about how he’s faring. But even more than worry, I’m hurt.It’s a sharp ache starting in my chest and burning out from there, like a flame devouring a leaf into a curl of ash.

Daenn looks up suddenly, his brow furrowing as he meets my gaze.

I’ve been caught staring. Instead of looking away, I stand. I close the distance between us, stopping so close that the fabric of my fitted trousers brushes his knees. He has to tilt up to meet my gaze. I can see the flecks in his green eyes.

“Try again.” My voice is barely above a whisper.

“Try what again?” He matches my volume, but his voice comes out in a rumble that I can practically feel in my bones.

“Try lying to me again.” I lean closer, stepping forward between his knees to maintain my balance. “Better yet, you could tell me the truth.”

There’s barely any distance between us. His legs frame me, and his hands rest on his knees, his thumb touching the side of my leg from my stepping in so near to him.

“Why do you think I’m lying?” He tilts his head as he speaks, and a strand of hair falls over his forehead. I have a sudden urge to brush it back into place.

I curl my hand into a fist instead. The man might bowl over the back of his log to avoid me if I try to touch him. I don’t need him breaking his neck, especially in such an undignified way.

“I think the better question is why you think youcanlie to me. I know you, Daenn Henriken. Even without this bond between us, I would know.”

He goes still, and I realize my error.

“You can feel my emotions.” It’s not a question.

“And you can feel mine.” I can’t be certain, but he’s not surprised by my slip, and it’s the only reason that explains that. I knew it was a possibility, but I’d hoped it was one-sided.

His jaw ripples, and I know it’s true. The confirmation has my mind flashing back, rifling through my memories to think of what exactly he’s felt from me.

“How long have you known?” My voice is breathless, a step away from panic. “I only realized yesterday, when I almost—” I swallow the word. I can’t say it out loud. “After you caught me.”

What has he seen? What does he know now that I’d rather he didn’t?

His hand closes over mine, and it shocks me out of my spiral, until I realize—he put his gloves back on at some point. He uncurls my fist, one finger at a time. I can’t tear my gaze away from it. How his hand engulfs mine; how gentle he is.

I almost pull my hand away when I realize why he’s doing this. He can sense my panic. He’s distracting me or soothing me from it. I’m not sure which.

I hate that it’s working. My heart rate has slowed. My breathing has evened. Against all reason, his touch has pulled me from my panic.

“I’ve known…” He hesitates. He’s anxious, an echoing emotion that makes me feel hollow. “…since the day after the wedding.”

I suck in a gasp and rip my hand from his. It’s only been a few days longer than I have, but it feels so long. He’s known basically the entire time we’ve been bonded and never said a thing.

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