Page 33 of One Last Promise
“Take the pups, too.They could do with a wash.”He rolled his eyes at my command.I gawked at him as he stripped to his undergarments in front of me, pulling his shirt over his head and revealing his muscular, bare chest.Swallowing hard, I looked away, trying to appear unaffected by his nakedness.
“Am I making you uncomfortable?Alora, after all this time, you must know I mean you no harm.I’m keeping my underpants on, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
I squared my shoulders and attempted to focus on anythingbutthe sexual desire that was soaring around my body.I tried to keep my face blank.“Darce, I’m not affected by your shirtlessness.Like you, I prefer the look of myownkind.”It seemed as if I’d gotten away with it.With a slight nod, he walked towards the lake, calling the pups along with him.
As I watched the movement of the muscles on his back, moisture pooled at my core and I had to clench my legs together.Mother of Mercy!What wasthat?The feeling was intense.A pure, devouringneed.
I needed to get back to Dallethas as soon as possible.This Noxlin had to be charming me with his dark powers somehow!I had to build a fortress around thesefeelingsfor him.Nell would help me, if I had the courage to confide in her.
I was of the pure Dylin bloodline.I wouldnotallow Darce to make me falter from my destiny.
****
DARCE AND I STOOD LOOKINGat each other.We had done it.After an extremely long journey, we reached the borders of the Barren Lands.It would be a half-day walk for me to get home to Dallethas.
“I will see you a month from today in Shielding Valley,” Darce muttered, looking in any direction but mine.“I’ll wait until sunset.If you do not come, I willnotreturn.You’ll be indebted to me for the rest of your existence.Maybe I’ll even curse you.”
Rolling my eyes, I shook my head at him.“I will be there with your gold.Here.”I removed some of the gold armour on my arm.“Take this as a small down payment.You have my word, Darce.I will deliver your gold in a month.”
“No, you need that.You still have half a day’s walk.The Barren Land is a formidable place.Neverlet your guard down.”Scratching the back of his neck, he finally gazed down at me.“It would be wise for you to turn up in a month.I will see what fighting strength you’ve got and make my decision then about training you.”Something in his eyes made me wonder if the decision was already made.
“Until then,” I muttered, memorising every detail of his face.My dreams could never do him justice.Why did it hurt knowing we were parting ways, even if only for a month?
Darce nodded, and with that, he turned on his heels and walked away, quickly followed by the third pup.Hopefully, he’d bring her to our next encounter and finally have given her a name.
Looking down at Loki and Enyo, I called them to follow me.“Come on, you two.Let’s gohome.”
Chapter eleven
The suns were highin the sky, beating down against my neck.I’d been walking alone for a few hours now.Loki and Enyo were keeping a good pace with me, but the silence was crippling.Being out here alone, not having the security of Darce by my side, was an unsettling feeling.
My eyes focused in the distance, widening in shock at the sight of Xavier andsevenof his guards rushing towards me on their light leapers.Of course, it made sense.Uri would be able to see me now that I wasn’t around Darce and his shadow power.The light leapers were moving at some serious speed.They’d reach me in a matter of minutes.
Xavier jumped off Soleil while he was still moving, and landed effortlessly beside me.“Alora!Praise Holy Ether.”He pulled me into his embrace, making me drop my bag with the sword and the last of my rations.“Uri saw Raiden’s death before you were plunged into darkness.Are you hurt?What happened?It’s been weeks!How have you survived?”
He was asking too many questions all at once for me to answer.“I’m fine,” I muttered, trying to break free from his hold.When he finally took a step back, Xavier looked me over before noticing the light sword and two hell dryads around my feet.
