Page 160 of Deadwood
My jaw ached as my teeth ground together. Reluctantly, I stepped back, leaving only a foot between my body and Auria’s.
Take the reins, Auria, or I’ll kill him.
Yes, my smoke chanted, its voice echoing through my mind.Let us kill him.
I shoved it away best I could, along with the urge to decimate Paxon where he stood.
She blinked, processing my words drifting through her mind, then pinned a glare on Paxon, who was watching from mere feet to the side of us. “This is none of your business.”
I kept my back to Paxon, for I feared if I saw his face, my smoke would unravel. It wanted to take control, and I wanted to let it.
“Oh, there’s athisnow.” Paxon tsked. “It very much does concern Lander if you’re showing public displays of affection with another man.”
A deep, condescending laugh rumbled through me as I shook my head.
“He’s just looking out for me,” Auria defended, sensing the rising tension and shoving off the tree. “We agreed to call the marriage off,” she added.
I could almost feel Paxon’s brow raise at my back. “So you’ve made a decision, then.”
That froze me to the spot, magic pausing its surge through my veins to stand at attention. My gaze found Auria’s. Her eyes quickly grew panicked.
“What decision?” I asked, a growl behind my words.
“Interesting,” Paxon practically purred behind me, but I paid him no mind. My smoke, on the other hand, returned to its frantic state, coiling and spinning inside me with the urge to suck the oxygen from his lungs. I felt my control over it slipping like a thin thread.
“Nothing that concerns you,” Auria said quickly, alarm in her tone. Her words landed like a hit to my stomach.
Shoes crunched over leaves behind me, indicating Paxon was retreating—to where, I wasn’t sure, but as long as he wasn’t here, I didn’t give a shit.
“Is that how you want to be now?”After everything.I’d been as open with her as I could.
Hurt flashed in her eyes, but I could see the war she waged within herself. Her mind was likely a storm, clouds swirling with the push and pull of her desire to tell me and her usual impulse to keep things bottled up inside.
I’d give her the ability to decide, but time was quickly running out.
“Do what you must,” I said, taking another step away. I told myself she didn’t mean it. She was confused, too much happening at once. She’d come around.
“Bowen—”
Unlike everyone else in your life, I won’t force it out of you.
Something akin to gratefulness shone in her gaze now, but it did little to mask the storm brewing behind her eyes.
“Go back to the house. I have matters to attend to.” More hurt shone in her gaze. I fuckinghatedit. “I will come to you once I’m done,” I assured her.
Though her reluctance to open up to me stung, I understood it.
Things didn’t change overnight.
Before I could second-guess my decision, I turned around, heading away from Auria and into the chaos.
CHAPTER 50
AURIA
Ishould’ve known I was going to be followed. Paxon wasn’t done simply because he had walked away in the woods. He only wanted me alone.
With that knowledge, I should’ve barricaded the front door as soon as I came inside, but not even seconds after walking in, the door was flying open.
