Page 36 of Fate Unchained

He chuffed. “Once, I made the mistake of climbing a mountain up in the northern territory with Finn. That damn vulk wants to climb every mountain in Ulterra, and he likes company when he does it.” He sniffed. “Up near the top, we hauled ourselves up on this ledge and encountered a yeti. We were so surprised it managed to toss a boulder at Finn and caught him right in the head, knocking him out. I had to drag him down the mountain, then carry him through snow deeper than this to our camp. Don’t worry, you’re easier to carry than him.” His lips curled upward slightly.

“Great. I’m easier to lug around than an eight-foot-tall vulk. It’s the best compliment I’ve ever received.” She was quiet for a moment. “What happened to the yeti?”

“What about me? I was the one stuck with a limp Finn.” He sighed. “Yetis aren’t too dangerous, usually. They’re territorial, and they won’t bother you if you stay away from them. I roared a bit, and it backed off enough so I could drag Finn out of there. When I left, the yeti was fine.” He glanced at her. “You’re going to meet Finn when he joins us in Eroica, so don’t tell him I told you that story.”

She tightened her arms around his neck. His head was so close to hers that if he turned, she could rub her cheek against his, or kiss his muzzle. Her gaze lingered there. What would he do if she touched him right now? They were supposed to be done touching each other. “How are three vulk going to walk around Eroica? And how do they know to meet you there?”

He cut a quick glance at her. “Vulk secrets.”

“We have a pact now, which means you tell me everything.” Her hand drifted from his neck down the slope of his shoulder and over his collarbone. “You can’t just waltz into Eroica. Most people who live there won’t be afraid of a vulk, they’ll attack.” She swallowed hard and tried to force her hand to be still. Yet the fingers still stroked him, just the tiniest bit.

“I’ll be in human form, and Finn and Zann will stay in the forest.”

Her mouth dropped open. “What? I thought you said vulk don’t take human form.”

He didn’t look at her. “I’ll be able to. For a while.”

“Well, you can’t walk around dressed the way you are.” She eyed him. “Some of my father’s clothes might fit.” Her father … A pang thudded in her chest. He must be out of his mind with worry. At least she’d see him soon and tell him everything was fine.

But then she’d have to explain … everything else. Like being yoked to a grumpy vulk because of a rune. Maybe best to leave that part out. And she didn’t want to involve him further in what was going on with Boris, especially if there was a possibility that Boris was mixed up with necromancers and shades.

Kyril frowned, and a hint of teeth showed. “I’m aware I’ll need clothes.” His ears twitched the way she’d noticed they did when he was thinking.

“It’s not just the clothes. You’re still going to stick out. You just … you don’t act like a human.” He was a beast out of a fairytale, destined for the forest and things she couldn’t begin to imagine. His mystique would surround him no matter what form he was in.

He glanced at her again. “You’ll help. It’ll be fine.”

“Oh, sure. Because you listen so well.” She swore he smiled for a moment, but it was fleeting; she couldn’t be sure.

As they approached the village, the thinning trees revealed the waist-high stone wall marking the edge of town. Beyond, a smattering of houses clumped near the center courtyard. Smoke curled up into the sky from chimneys, mingling with the thicker fumes puffed by the tannery next to the river. The village almost seemed pretty with the road and homes all wreathed in white and the reddish glow from the setting suns haloing around them.

They approached the southern gate into town. It was wide enough for a horse and cart to pass through, and someone had already cleared it of snow. When they reached the shoveled road, Kyril swung Lilah back onto her feet. “Do you want to go on ahead and tell your father you’re home and that you found the vulk?”

She sighed. “I don’t know what to tell him. How do I explain the last two days?”

He shrugged. “I can handle it if you want.”

She laughed. “Sure. Make sure I’m with you. I want to see his face when a vulk walks up to him. He was a famous hunter, his first reaction won’t be to listen to you.”

He shrugged. “That’s easy to fix.”

One moment she was staring at a vulk and the next …

She swore her heart stopped a little. He was still massive, but he was now a man. A mostly naked man with a hairless chest. Straight, black hair swept back from an imposing brow, and his dark eyes blazed in a face with chiseled cheekbones and a solid jaw. A truly breathtaking face. She didn’t want to look away.

He reached out and took her hand. “Come on.”

Continuing to stare up at him, she barely noticed walking toward the gate. “You’re too naked to walk through town.” She halted at the gate. “Here, take my jacket.”

One brow rose. “No.”

She shrugged it off. “The wind has stopped, so it’s not too cold. I’ll be fine while I walk home.” He growled but let her swing the coat around his shoulders. “See? It’s a man’s, so it sort of fits.”

He slipped his arms in, and now they stood only inches from each other. Kyril tugged her hand gently, drawing her closer to him. “I’m only doing this so your neighbors don’t know you rolled around in bed with a vulk for two days.”

“What! That’s not what we did.”

His fingers brushed over her cheek. Her heart thudded; he was staring at her mouth really intently.

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