Chapter 24 – Kian
Chapter Twenty-Four
KIAN
After arranging the wood in the pit, I grab a flint from one of the saddlebags and make quick work of lighting the fire. The evening is only growing colder, and we still have quite a few hours until dawn.
I tried to prepare as best I could for this night.
Alex was sent to procure a priestess and will meet us at first light just outside the city.
The last thing I expected was to find Raelyn hanging off the roof.
The way my heart almost stopped in my chest .
. . I throw up a quick thanks to the gods that she’s all right and that Phantom and I were able to catch her.
For a moment there, I thought she’d changed her mind.
With the fire coming to life, I grab the bedroll and the rest of the supplies I brought with me. Raelyn arches a brow as I set the roll down near the fire and begin arranging a picnic for the two of us.
“You brought wine?” she asks, almost in disbelief.
I chuckle. “Of course. We need something to keep us warm out here.”
She smiles. “I suppose I didn’t quite consider what it would mean to be out all night.”
“Are you warm enough?”
She nods, even as she pulls my cloak a little tighter around her.
“Why don’t you come and join me?” I ask. “I promise it’s warmer, and there’s wine and cheese.”
“Fine,” she says, sounding resigned.
I mockingly put a hand to my heart. “Ouch, that stung.”
“What?”
“It’s just so clear you want nothing to do with me,” I tease.
She snorts as she lowers herself to the bedroll and takes a seat. “Yes, I absolutely loathe your presence. That’s exactly why I agreed to marry you.”
Her sarcasm makes me laugh again, and I’m secretly pleased that I’m able to bring out this side of her. Especially the smiles.
“Wine?” I ask.
She nods, and I pour her a generous serving.
“Thank you, Kian.”
“It’s the least I can do, considering we’re not having an engagement party or a fancy bonding ceremony.”
“It does feel fast,” she admits.
“Are you sure you want to go through with this?” I ask.
Perhaps I rushed her into it, but I wanted to get her out of that manor as quickly as possible.
Once we are priestess-blessed, there will not be a damn thing my father or her stepmother can do .
. . at least not if I have anything to say about it.
“Yes, I’m sure,” she says before taking a large gulp of wine.
A cloud shifts, the moon casting her glow upon Rae, and I stiffen. I hadn’t noticed before in the dark, but her cheek is red and swollen, almost as if . . .
“Who hurt you?” my voice drops as I barely contain the rage welling up inside.
Her eyes widen. “What?”
My hand reaches out and oh-so-gently brushes her cheek.
“Oh,” she says, looking down. “Stepmother didn’t like what I had to say earlier this evening. It’s nothing to worry about.”
“Like hells it isn’t,” I growl. “That she would dare lay a hand on you at all . . .”
Raelyn reaches up and places her hand over mine. “I’m fine, Kian. It doesn’t even hurt anymore.”
I flinch, realizing I could have caused further pain, even if I hadn’t meant to. I pull my hand away. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to touch you without your permission.”
“It’s okay. I didn’t mind it.”
Needing to do something else with my hands, I pick up another log and throw it into the crackling fire. “Ouch!”
“Are you okay?” Raelyn asks.
“Nothing to worry about, just a splinter,” I reassure her as I peer at my hand, trying to see if I can pull it out.
“Here, let me,” she says and gets up on her knees to move closer.
I hold my hand up for her, and she twists and turns it, trying to find the best angle in the minimal light.
“Ah, there it is. Do you want me to pull it out?”
I chuckle. “If you’re offering.”
With a swift movement, she pulls the splinter out of my hand and tosses it toward the fire.
“All better,” she says. “Oh, wait, you’re bleeding.”
I look down, and sure enough, a bead of blood exits the tiny wound. “It’s nothing.”
She stares at the droplet, her jaw clenching. How odd. Raelyn shakes her head and sits back on her heels.
“I’m sorry, love, I’ll keep in mind that blood makes you squeamish.”
“What? No!” she says, almost sounding alarmed. “Hang on.”
Her hand slips into a slit in the side of her dress, and she pulls out a dagger—my dagger. I hold my breath, trying not to react as she slices a small piece of fabric from her gown and ties it around my hand.
The tiny cut probably doesn’t need the makeshift bandage, but I’m not about to stop her.
“There. Probably not the most sanitary, but better than nothing. Maybe a healer can check it in the morning?”
“I’m sure it will be fine,” I say, watching as she slides the dagger back into her gown, into what I assume is a thigh sheath underneath.
Gods, why is the thought of her wearing my blade so damn arousing?
How I’d love to drag her skirt up so I could see it with my own eyes. Fuck. I’m in dangerous territory.
A yawn escapes her. “Sorry, I’m tired.”
I pat the blanket gently. “Why don’t you lie down and sleep a little? I’ll keep watch.”
“Are you sure?” she asks. “I hate to leave you awake on your own.”
“No need to worry about me. I don’t mind the quiet.
” Though being alone with my thoughts might prove risky for my heart.
“Oh, wait.” I jump up and run back to Phantom, who is looking at us with judgmental eyes.
I scratch behind his ears and pull a carrot out of the saddlebag, which he chomps gratefully.
Grabbing another blanket, I return to the fire.
Raelyn has finished her wine and is now lying on her side on the bedroll, her head propped up on her satchel.
I can’t help but take in her lovely form and the way her curves slope and dip in that position. My mind goes to the hidden blade, and I curse the direction my thoughts have gone yet again.
“Um, here’s a blanket for you.”
She yawns once more and offers a sleepy thanks as I drape the blanket over her. I don’t mind looking after her . . . this woman who will become my wife in just a few hours.
I shake my head. On paper only. Don’t forget it.
“Thank you again, Kian,” she whispers, and damn, my heart warms at her words.
Her delicate eyelashes kiss her cheeks and her face relaxes as she almost immediately drifts off to sleep.
Oddly enough, I’m wide awake—perhaps it’s the thought of being married in a few hours.
As I stare at my sleeping betrothed, I can’t help but wonder why in Luna’s name I proposed this arrangement.
She is captivating and strong . . . and I love her sense of humor, but perhaps I haven’t thought this all the way through.
I fell for her once, and I’m dangerously close to letting her in again.
Just the thought of dishonoring our marriage vows and finding other women to warm my bed feels wrong, but I need to keep my distance.
I swore to myself I wouldn’t let her hurt me again.
Faint streaks of light crack the night sky as dawn makes its arrival. I rise to my feet and stretch, my body sore after sitting on the hard ground for hours. The fire has dulled to embers, and I quickly pack the leftover food and drink into the saddlebags.
Kneeling down next to Raelyn, I nudge her shoulder. “Sorry, love. It’s time to wake up.”
She startles and blinks sleep-filled eyes at me, her body stretching like a cat’s.
“Gods, how long was I out?”
I chuckle. “You crashed pretty hard.”
“Did I snore?” She looks almost horrified.
“Absolutely not. You were perfect.”
She rolls her eyes, but there’s a smile twitching at her lips. “Are you sure it’s time? I don’t want to get out from under this blanket,” she complains.
“Unfortunately, yes.” I wink. “But let me make this easier for you.” I grab the edge of the blanket and rip it off her.
“Kian!” she shrieks, sitting up with murder in her eyes.
“Hey, it worked. You’re up.” I grin.
Muttering to herself, she gets to her feet while I fold up the blanket and put it away. When I return, she hands me the neatly folded bedroll.
“Thank you, Rae.”
“I’ll get you back for that,” she threatens with only a little bite.
“I look forward to it.”
She scrunches her nose, which makes me want to drop a kiss on it, so I quickly turn away and untie my horse.
Raelyn hands me my wrinkled cloak. “I’m sorry, I should have taken it off before sleeping.”
“Aren’t you cold? Keep it,” I insist.
“Okay . . .” She smiles.
I help her back up onto the horse, and within minutes, we’re cantering down the road toward the meeting place. My heart almost skips a beat knowing what’s coming, but I try to shake it off.
Raelyn’s warm body is doing all sorts of things to me that I’m attempting to ignore. I’m ninety percent certain she felt how hard I was for her on our initial escape from the manor. Way to get turned on in inappropriate situations, Ki.
When we finally arrive at our destination, I sigh in relief when I spot Alex’s horse attached to a small carriage next to the abandoned temple. He made it.
I slow Phantom to a walk, and we pull up next to it. Knocking on the door, I’m pleased when Alex pops his head out, stifling a yawn.
“Oh good, you’re here,” he says. “I’m almost certain the priestess thinks I made the whole thing up.”
I roll my eyes at him before dismounting and helping Raelyn down.
“Rae, this is Alex, my most obnoxious and loyal friend,” I say.
Alex frowns and throws me a glare before turning on the charm and smiling at Raelyn. She holds her hand out, and he presses a kiss to it that oddly has me feeling like I want to rip her away from him.
“Charmed, Lady Raelyn,” Alex says.
“Nice to meet you, Alex,” she replies with a demure smile. “So we are to be married?” She winks at him, and he laughs heartily.
“Is that a proposal, my lady?”
Alex still hasn’t let go of her hand, and if he doesn’t in the next three seconds, I will remove it for him.
“You’re hilarious, Alex,” I grit out. “Is the priestess ready?”