Page 50 of A Soul to Keep

His vision returned to its usual blue as he crawled backwards off the bed.

“Sleep well, mylittle doe.”

Then he left her room, feeling a swell of tenderness and joy in his gut.

I have to run,Reia thought, as she sprinted through the forest.Don’t look back, just keep going forward.

She felt the teardrop jewel tapping against her forehead like a rhythm to keep her focused and calm. Her legs and lungs burned as exertion strained her muscles, but she continued forward, never daring to slow or to rest.

Placing her hand on the rough surface of a large boulder, she kicked her legs over it to jump and then pushed off to keep running. Trees whistled past her, blurring in the edges of her vision as debris filled wind, from leaves and dust, fluttered around her.

She didn’t know how long she’d been running. An hour, maybe a little more?

Shrouded in a white cloak, gripping a dagger firmly in her hand, Reia ran through the darkness and gloom of the Veil. She refused to feel fear, hoping that the amulet and her faith in it would keep her safe.

I can make it, just keep running.

After their interlude of Orpheus having his fucking tongue inside her, Reia had sat on her bed panicking. Shame and embarrassment caused her blood to rush with adrenaline. She’d let him touch her, lick her, and her body had beenbeggingfor more. Even when he left, herbody had been thrumming with the hope he’d return and finish what they’d started.

And it had freaked the hell out of her.

Just as daylight was breaking, with her wrapped tightly in the fur nearly hyperventilating due to stress, she’d heard him leave.

Perhaps he thought she was asleep, but she knew he must have left to obtain her water like he’d promised. He wouldn’t be gone long, maybe an hour or two, but Reia had started moving.

She’d dressed in her green gown, made sure her amulet circlet was firmly in place, grabbed a dagger, and jimmied the lock until the door opened. He probably thought locking it would be enough to keep her inside, but Reia had been barred inside her house in the village so many times that she’d taught herself how to break through them.

Then she bolted, heading toward what she thought was the way to the Veil’s cliff edge so she could escape.

The smart thing to do would be to wait until he left to hunt, when he might truly be gone for hours. But after what they’d done...

Reia couldn’t stay, refused to stay.

I amNOTgoing to be one of those people that falls in love with their captor.She couldn’t remember what the word was – she wasn’t thinking straight enough to. But Reia didn’t want Stockholm Syndrome to be in her future.

I can’t believe I came because of him.

Her breaths sawed through her lungs as she continued to sprint, thankful her bath was hiding her scent and she hadn’t seemed to come across any Demons hunting her.

He’s a Duskwalker! I let a Duskwalker lick me!

And she hadwantedhim to. Once more, shame crashed through her like a fist to her very soul.I’m a pervert. People would laugh at me.Not that she actually cared what anyone thought of her, a harbinger of bad omens. But she was using anything she could to fuel her feet to keep moving like her heels were on fire.

Which they were, filled with cold as she lacked any shoes. None of the other offerings had feet that were the right size for her. Her feet weren’t dainty, but they sure made her fast.

She groaned when a part of her wanted to turn back in hopes he might run his tongue over her again.Okay, fine. I like his stupid tongue, and glowing eyes, and bony face, and his stupid smell. Why does he even smell so good anyway?It was evil, calling for her to want to sin in its embrace.

She refused to turn back despite that she liked how sweet and thoughtful he had been.He thought he hurt me.And his reaction was so damn... adorable.

Guilt weighed on her, though. She was running away, fleeing, and she was sure that was going to hurt him.Why should I care if he’s lonely? He can find someone else to be with, someone that actually wants to live in the Veil.

No one wanted to live in the Veil.

Who cares if I’m the first one who made trinkets with him?She continued to sprint.Who cares if I’m the first one who had wanted to sit in his garden?She had to stop her feet from slowing when she thought,who cares if I’m the first one that had wanted him to touch them?

And she knew that was the truth, simply because he hadn’t understood about why she’d bled. She was the first human he’d taken the virginity of; Reia knew that deep down to her soul.

Am I really the first one who wanted him to touch them?Her eyes bowed in sadness for him.But he’s not so bad. He’s gentle, and sweet, and he just wanted to make me happy.She was sure he’d tried to do the same for all of them.

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