Chapter 48
Ryker
“Ryker!”
I inhaled sharply, my energy barrelling back into me. The camp chaos rang in my ears and the sun, now partially hidden by angry clouds, blared back into view.
I lowered my face from the sky, heart still pounding. The insatiable heat that had tried to burn me alive had abated, but still pulsed through me.
Zandyr’s worried eyes stared back at me.
“How’s Calyx?” I rasped, the words scratching at my dry throat.
“Getting water and a stern talking-to as we speak.” Zandyr tilted his head. “Is The Huntress alright?”
Instead of answering, a laugh burst out of me.
It started as a chuckle, but kept growing and billowing, straining my lungs and the aching, heated muscles of my back.
“I’m not sure you are alright,” Zandyr muttered.
That only made me laugh harder.
A raucous, stomach-knotting, cheeks-hurting laughter.
The sound of triumph.
What was she doing to me?
How could she do this?
Proud as I was of Allie, this unnatural mirth didn’t come from me. The remnants of her energy infused all of my thoughts, coating them in a warm, joyful layer.
It was intoxicating.
I finally understood why she laughed at the weirdest moments.
It was the sweetest release, overtaking all fears and worries.
I wanted her to feel this way all the time.
Forever.
“I’m fine.” I rubbed the strange, elated tears from my eyes.
With each breath, her energy slowly dissipated, leaving me empty and longing. I fought with the selfish urge to follow that trail of happiness. Stall its retreat so that I could share this happiness for all time.
But we both had our duties.
“I take it The Huntress is well,” Zandyr said carefully.
“She’s fantastic.” My chest swelled with pride.
“Good. Elysia was worried.”
I raised my brows.
“She still refers to her as she-beast, but yes.” Zandyr huffed a laugh, shoulders relaxing. “I think her helping with the protective runes might have made up for the whole shooting-an-arrow at Elysia’s face.”
Arrows.
The word sombered me instantly.
I’d felt her shooting arrows.
Running, frantic.
Using her powers through desperation.
Then I’d felt her slipping and my energy surged forward to help ease the strain and hold her up through the worst of it. I’d drained myself, but I’d held her up through the worst of it.
No wonder I’d been boiling all day–it had been her, calling out to me.
Whatever she had faced, she’d conquered, that I knew. But nothing more.
I tapped my own chest, as if I could touch that essence of her once more.
This wasn’t normal.
My thoughts being consumed by her was unavoidable. She had command over my mind–but she shouldn’t have been able to control my body.
Nor I hers, not from such a distance.
Tendrils of dread and delight fought inside of me.
My gaze slashed to Zandyr’s, frantic for answers. “What’s going on?”
“You–” His eyes widened in surprise. “You don’t know?”
I did. I thought I did–but I still couldn’t allow myself to hope.
Or maybe I didn’t. Because I felt Allie’s energy and flutters of her feelings, but not her thoughts. Those were as caged from me as they’d been on the night when she’d destroyed the dining room.
“Oh, Brother.” He rested a hand on my shoulder. “Your life has changed forever. It seems you have found your true mate.”