Page 128 of Riftborne
But it was time for answers.
“Be honest with me… why am I here? Our faction could be walking into certain death as we speak.” Even with exhaustion weighing on my bones, I couldn’t stop my mind from wandering to my friends.
“Wraiths shouldn’t attack for the next few days.” He was staring at the ceiling, arms folded behind his head.
“How can you be sure?”
“They’ve never attacked twice in a week. Of course we can never be certain of anything, but it's been the case thus far.” He blinked slowly, fighting off sleep.
“But why am I here with you and not the rest of the team?” I asked again. He kept avoiding the question. But not tonight. Not after everything that had just transpired. Not after his hands had finally touched me in all the ways I’d dreamed of. Not after he’d finally discovered all the places I’d yearned to feel his breath.
Laryk pondered for a moment, hiding his expression behind long lashes, the kind that would make most girls green with envy. “I have more than one answer for that.” He inhaled deeply and reached out, running his finger along my arm, leaving a trail of delicious heat in its wake.
“Firstly, you’re too valuable to send to the front lines. Your focus continues to get stronger by the day. We need more time to figure out exactly what you’re capable of.”
I let the words sink in.
I wanted more. There had to be more.
“And the second?” I prodded.
“Unfortunately, I’ve found it just about unbearable to be separated from you.” He sighed, running his hand through his hair. “It’s quite an annoying situation I find myself in.”
I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my lips.
“So irresponsible, General Ashford,” I teased, rolling onto my side to face him.
“Absolutely reprehensible,” he agreed.
A moment of nauseating bliss slipped past as he pulled me towards him, melding his lips to mine once more. His chest heaved below me, sending sparks flying through my entire body. I melted into the heat of his touch. Could we just stay in this bed forever?
The thought sent a sour pang into my stomach as the reality of our situation rushed back in. I pulled away and sighed.
“As much as I like to hear you say that… I can’t help but feel like I could be doing something to help.” My face found the pillow and I huffed a breath, sending a white curl spiraling into the air.
“We just have to get through the King’s briefing tomorrow, and then we’re off to Stormshire. Just be patient until then.”
I reached out, running my fingers across the scar marking his right eye. It was raised, and cold to the touch. He clenched his jaw.
“Tell me how you got this,” I said, biting my lip. I wasn’t sure if this was another topic he would rather avoid.
“You know how. The Wraiths.” He sighed, taking my hand and lacing his fingers through mine.
“I just haven’t seen anyone else with a scar like that. Was it done with a weapon?”
He paused for a long moment, seeming to hold his breath. I felt my pulse quicken. He was clearly uncomfortable discussing this. But I had to know.
He finally exhaled. “It felt like a dagger.”
My brow furrowed, and I flipped over to get a read on his expression.
“How can a shadow attack with a dagger?”
“You’re guess is as good as mine,” he murmured, bringing my hand to his lips and kissing it softly. “I don't know how they could wield anything at all.”
“You think there might be something more to them?” I asked. I couldn’t help but feel we were moving into dangerous territory.
“I’m not going to question those who came before me. I’ve only ever seen the shadows. The beings that look like ink droplets…” Laryk trailed off. “But I could have sworn I hit something solid once. In the darkness.”
