Page 18 of The Cruel Dawn
“So much has…”Happened.Tears form in my throat and trickle down my cheek as I squeeze my eyes closed.
“I know,” he whispers, lifting my chin. “I can wait—we have forever.”
I nod. “Okay.”
He whispers, “I raqo vai,” and I whisper, “I raqo vai,” because yes, Idolove him.
We climb into bed, and he wraps his arms around me. He closes his eyes, and soon, his breathing deepens into a steady rhythm. He’s asleep.
Each time I shut my eyes, my heart thuds like a boot dropped on glass.
A shadow shifts across the tent wall. From the corner of my eye, I watch a strange silhouette twist against the canvas.
Trees backlit by the nightstar?
I hear footsteps and sit up in bed. A chill runs through me. I keep my hand on Zephar’s shoulder as my heart beats wildly in my chest. I scan the walls of the tent again. This time, I don’t see shadows. I close my eyes to listen for footfalls. Nothing.
Am I expecting Jadon Wake to break through the tent flaps and declare his love for me?
Has my guilt about betraying Zephar—betraying them both—become a living thing, stalking all hope of peace and pleasure?
I slowly exhale, and I rub my face to snap out of my thoughts. I slip back beneath the quilt, kiss Zephar’s forehead, and whisper, “I’ll never leave you. Never again.”
His sleeping face flushes. The glow comes from my amulet, thrumming with a faint light, vibrating against my fingertips.
What is it?
The flaps of the tent are pushed open.
A snout. Gold eyes.That’s Shari.
I pull on my linen robe, and the wolf and I tiptoe out the back of the tent. I stare up at the dark sky while clutching my amulet. So many questions drift across my mind.
Why can’t I accept Zephar’s love without worrying about Jadon?
Why didn’t Jadon tell me the truth?
Why am I still thinking about him, when he’s firmly in my past?
Why—?
Shari nudges my leg.
“Done?” I ask, smiling down at her.
Fortunately, I don’t have to have any answers now.
She studies me with her jewel-toned eyes.
I kneel before her and stroke her head. My hand slides down her neck and stops at that whine in her chest, same as before. “What’s wrong, lovely?”
She can’t answer me. But my moth pulses with weak light.
Something’s wrong.
While I’m in bed with my love, Danar Rrivae is trudging around the Sea of Devour, scheming to kill me and take Vallendor as his prize. That’s what’s wrong.
I must leave the Sanctum and Gasho, and not for Shelezadd, like Zephar’s planned. I must leave, but this time, I’ll muster the Mera and Eserime with me, ready to fight to protect Vallendor. And I’ll have Zephar and Shari beside me, too. And that’s enough.
