Page 34 of Fury of the Bound
I met his gaze, my voice low as I spoke, “Let’s just say, I’d be dead if it weren’t for him.”
Malrik mulled it over for a moment, his eyes hardening, but ultimately, he nodded once, his possessiveness not rising to the surface.
“I’ll leave you two to talk.”
“Don’t kill anyone.”
A dark grin spread across his lips. “No promises.”
With a quick, fiery kiss that left my pulse racing, he was gone.
The knocking became louder, “Cherry, you in there?” I double checked everywhere, it was decent, and no sign of Malrik before I pulled the door open to see pretty blue eyes and a bright smile. The smell from the basket, mixed with his cedarwood and citrus scent, made my stomach rumble.
“I brought food,” he said, holding up the basket. I couldn’t help but smile. I stepped aside and opened the door wider, allowing him to enter. Out of the corner of my eye, something moved beyond the trees. When I looked again, I saw a Lumiwolve darting by.
I closed the door, rubbing my eyes and turned to see Ronan placing the basket down and revealing some delicious-looking chocolate cupcakes.
“They look amazing.”
He pulled one out and handed me one, “They have strawberry pieces too, I remember you mentioning they are your favourite fruit.”
Knowing he remembered something so little in a short amount of time gave me butterflies. I wasn’t used to this, the acts of kindness he shouldn’t be showing me and the way he made me feel. I didn’t know how to process these feelings and what they were doing to me. I knew our friendship, if you could call it that, was dangerous, but I wasn’t ready to stop either.
“Thank you.”
I sank my teeth into it, and—gods—the taste overwhelmed me. It was sweet and perfect, with every flavour melting together on my tongue. A soft sound escaped my lips before I could stop it, a mix of a moan and a sigh. When I opened my eyes, I found Ronan looking at me intensely, a small grin on his face.
We looked at each other for a moment before he cleared his throat, “How have you been? Sorry, I couldn’t come yesterday; I was on patrol.”
I took another bite and shrugged. “Fine, and these are great by the way.” I finished the cupcake and walked to the kitchen to turn on the coffee machine.
I turned back to see him lingering in the doorway, wearing deep navy joggers that fit his legs perfectly and a matching hoodie. By the stars, it wasn’t fair. All I could think about was stealing his clothes, drowning in his warmth and scent until it felt like he was wrapped around me.
He looked a little nervous, very different from how I thought hunters would behave, or maybe that was just Ronan.
Not everyone is like Darian.
“So, at the meeting the other day, the seer leader mentioned a witch that could potentially be stronger than Vespera. Is that you?” I blinked as I took in his question.
“I’ve got no idea, why?”
He stepped forward. “She’s ordered the Veilguards to check for an unregistered witch,” he looked at my wrist, where the black space was instead of what should have been a marking of a cross with Velmore tattoos around it, the brand of all registered witches.
A tattoo I don’t have.
“We are supposed to hunt in this forest to find you. She knows someone is here who isn’t supposed to be. Tonight, the wards are going to be strengthened, so it’s going to be impossible for anyone to leave or enter without her knowing.”
Well, that isn’t good. Malrik needs to leave for Eclipsara for those ingredients. If he leaves, he won’t be able to get back in without notifying her.
“Is Malrik with you?”
“Yes.”
“You don’t sound happy.”
“You’re crazy, one is currently sitting inside with me, sharpening his blades and whistling, not very well, might I add.”
“Grumpy dragon.”I laughed for only him to hear.
