Page 56 of Wolf Queen Ruin
He didn’t say it condescendingly—just a simple acknowledgment of partnership.
I considered our options.The barrier appeared to stretch in both directions as far as I could see, so finding a way around would cost us days we couldn’t spare.Going back was unthinkable.
“If I’m unaffected, maybe I can help you cross,” I said.
Skepticism etched lines around his mouth.“How?”
“I don’t know… Physically.”I held out my hand.“Let’s try.”
Damien eyed my offered hand, then he reached out, his cool fingers wrapping around mine.
“Your heartbeat increases when we touch,” he said quietly, flicking his gaze to mine.
“Because you’re freezing,” I deflected.“Now concentrate.We go on three.”
I tightened my grip on his hand and counted.As we approached the barrier, I felt the magical boundary pushing against him like an invisible wall.His hand clenched painfully around mine, his features tight with concentration.
“It’s not working,” he gritted out.
“Wait.”I moved closer, acting on instinct, and slipped my arm around his waist.“More contact might help.Try to focus on me, not the barrier.”
The position forced an intimacy that spiked my pulse.It roared inside my head as his body pressed against my side, circling my arm around him in what might otherwise be an embrace.The unnatural coolness of his skin seeped through his shirt, as did the rigid control in every taut muscle.
“Ready?”I asked.
He nodded once, his jaw clenched.“Luna, if this doesn’t work—“
“It will.Just don’t let go.”
His expression hardened with determination.
We moved forward together.The moment we touched the barrier, Damien’s entire body froze, a barely suppressed sound of pain escaping him.I tightened my hold, dragging him forward.
“Almost through.Just a few more steps,” I grunted out.“Stay with me, Damien.”
For a suspended moment, we were both within the barrier, enveloped in that strange warmth that seemed to affect me so differently than him.I could feel him fighting against whatever pain or pressure the magic exerted, his typically graceful movements reduced to jagged resistance.
Then we were through, stumbling together onto the other side before collapsing in an ungraceful heap on the jungle floor.My body pressed against his, solid and unyielding, my thighs bracketing his hips, my fingers splayed against the hard planes of his chest.
“We did it,” I said, breathing hard, suddenly aware of how close his face was to mine.
Our eyes locked, and the air charged with electric pulses between us.
Damien’s gaze dropped to my mouth for several heartbeats before he closed his eyes, his jaw clenched.
“Uh, sorry.”I disentangled myself, moving to give him space, ignoring the lingering hum where our bodies had touched.
Did he feel it too?
Never mind.Not important.
After a moment, he pushed himself to a sitting position.
“Thank you,” he said, his voice rough and gravelly.
“Don’t mention it.Partners, remember?”I busied myself checking our packs, which had fortunately made it through the barrier intact.
“The Wolf Queen was thorough in her hatred of my kind.”
