Page 99 of Fear the Flames
“I don’t trust you to wake me up for the second watch,” I say while tossing my apple core to the back of the cave. He’s more likely to let me sleep through our entire time here and ignore his own need for rest.
“Are you calling me a liar?” he gasps, bringing a hand to his chest. I cross my arms over my body to conserve heat and to show him I’m not feeding into his humor. “I’ll wake you up,” he presses his hand to his chest, “soldier’s honor.”
“I don’t think you have honor.”
“That’s why we get along so well,” he smirks.
“We don’t get alongthatwell,” I say while moving my satchel to use it as a pillow. We understand each other, but we can be at each other’s throats in a minute.
“Whatever you say, angel.” He gets to his feet and walks over to my side of the cave as he unties his cloak.
“What are you doing?” I quirk a brow.
He lays his cloak on the cold floor and looks at me expectantly. “You’re freezing, and we can’t build a fire.”
“I’m used to it.” His eyes flash with displeasure before he blinks it away while sitting on top of the makeshift blanket. I spent more nights of my life cold than I have warm. I got spoiled in Vareveth. I had fires in Aestilian, but not always in the beginning when the wood surrounding us was wet and covered in snow.
“Then think of this as you keeping me warm.” He sits on top of his cloak and pats the spot next to him. I suppose laying on him would also help him, and the thought of warmth is tempting. We’ve been closer. It shouldn’t be this hard to lay on him, and it’s for warmth.
Frustrated with myself, I untie the cloak from my neck and crawl over to him without meeting his eyes. He grabs my satchel from where I set it and puts it under his head. I lower my body onto him, molding my limbs with his. Even after a night of traveling, he still smells like the intoxicating pine and spice scent he usually does. I rest my head on his chest and wrap a leg over his. He takes my cloak from the hand I rested on his chest and wraps it around us, cocooning us in warmth. I let out a shuddering breath and bury my cold face in his neck. His hands creep along my back until one of them undoes my messy braid. One hand stays on my back, rubbing soothing circles. The other gently grabs the hand I have on his chest, brings it to his mouth, and begins blowing on my hand to warm it. My heart flutters at his kind gesture, and my body inches closer to him. He momentarily stops rubbing circles on my back, and his breath hitches.
I internally freeze.
Did I make him uncomfortable by getting closer?
I try to inch away from him, but his arm tightens his hold around me, keeping me close. My body slowly starts to relax again as he holds me securely against him. When he’s sure I won’t move away, he continues rubbing my lower back. When my hand has thawed, and I feel like I can move my fingers again, he rests it on his chest and moves his hand to my hair. He traces long strokes from my head down my spine. I can’t help but remember our first interaction near a cave and how drastically different they are. A small laugh escapes my lips before I can stop it.
“What’s so funny, angel?” he quietly asks.
“I’m just thinking of the night we made the deal when we were near the cave. You tied me to a tree, and now we’re in a cave and you’re keeping me warm.”
His chuckle vibrates against my cheek. “I can tie you up again if you’d like that. Actually, I think you’ll enjoy what I’m thinking of right now far better than our earlier interaction.”
“Scoundrel.” I lightly smack my hand against his chest but let my laughter freely drift up to him. Even in the bitter cold, he still makes my cheeks flush with heat and my body beat in want. He brings the hand I used to smack his chest to his mouth, placing gentle kisses on my knuckles before placing it back where it was. His charm is going to be my undoing.
My eyes shut while his scent, warmth, and touches soothe me. I never thought I’d be able to sleep in Imirath, considering it’s the place where my darkest nightmares were born. But here, in Cayden’s arms, I can imagine I’m somewhere far from here. He transports me like no amulet ever could, with every gentle stroke on my spine. I can sleep here because it doesn’t feel like I’m in Imirath; all I’m surrounded by is Cayden.
ChapterForty
The darkness consumes me until I feel a squeeze on my arm, dragging me from sleep. I swat the hand. I don’t want to wake up, but the hold only grows tighter. I try to snuggle into the intoxicating warmth and dive headfirst into the darkness again, but the warmth is gone.
My eyes snap open to a much darker cave, the sun is still up, but it’s too low to fully light the space around us. The spot next to me is vacant; rather than being in the position I fell asleep in, Cayden is above me with a finger pressed to his lips, which is lifted in a smirk as he looks down at me.
Oh good gods.
He just watched me try to snuggle into him.
Wait, I need to sort my priorities out. He’s obviously listening for something, which means someone is probably outside of the caves. I don’t move, straining my ears to hear the forest floor below us.
Crack.
Crack, crack, crack.
Someone is here, and by the sound of it, it seems to be a patrol. The footsteps are coming closer. Cayden climbs off me and draws his sword. I mimic his movements, opting for my sword rather than my knives. Swords are best in close combat. We scoop up our satchels and cloaks while rushing into the darkness the back of the cave offers. We can’t leave without directly meeting them on their ascent up the mountain. The darkness may keep us hidden if they don’t have torches.
They climb up the mountain but are taking their time. We never left a trail, I made sure of it. Perhaps they’re just doing routine patrols. If it’s just routine, then hopefully, they won’t be as thorough as they would be if they were searching for someone.
Cayden slides his eyes away from the mouth of the cave. “I’ll go first and kick the first one off the side of the mountain. It’ll be a more even fight if we take one out before they suspect anything.”
