19. Willow
Willow
It’s been two cycles since Rhune left, and things have been unnervingly quiet. I’m not entirely sure why he left—I haven’t felt up to asking Nyx about it—but there’s a part of me breaking, knowing he’s gone. Knowing that he abandoned his mate.
The sane part of me reminds me that I’m incredibly upset with Rhune. He knew what could happen if we got too close, and he didn’t think to prepare me. Even if he had an inkling that we could bond, he should have shared that with me so I could decide whether I wanted to be close to him or not.
I shake my head, shoving that last thought away. Ever since I bonded to Rhune, I’ve been dealing with emotions I’ve never experienced before. Confusion. Possessiveness. Anger. All-consuming desire. All of them, all at once. It’s driving me a little mad.
Blowing out a breath, I open my eyes and sit up in bed. I’ve been sleeping in Rhune’s room for the past two nights, because the only way I can go to sleep now is when I’m wrapped up in his scent.
True to his word, Nyx is giving me space, and I only see him when he brings me my meals—and even then, he never tries to make conversation. He just gives me a warm smile, places a too-large bowl in my lap, and leaves.
Then there are the gifts…
Every time I sleep—even for just a small amount of time—I wake to a new present from Nyx.
Trinkets he’s collected from the human realm, ancient tomes in languages I don’t understand, impossibly beautiful gemstones, and even some gifts for Kevin.
So far, he’s found a bejeweled dog collar, an old leather leash, and a T-shirt with a picture of an alpaca on the front that fits Kevin strangely perfectly.
Dravik still hasn’t returned from his hunt, so I spend my days hanging out with Cin in his “workshop” and traversing the tunnel systems. I’ve found several unused “rooms” and others filled with different items I can’t identify.
It was interesting at first, but I’m growing bored with the dark, claustrophobic tunnels that lead to nowhere.
Half of me wants to break and forgive Nyx just so I can ask him to take me up to the surface and get some fresh air.
But no. I can’t. Not just yet.
At that moment, Kevin bleats, snuggles up to me, taking my thoughts away from my relationship troubles. I give him some pets, but the smell emanating from his fur brings tears to my eyes.
“Jeez, Kevin. You need a bath.”
Kevin chirrups, turning his face from me as if he’s offended.
“Don’t be like that,” I say. “It’s true. You’re a little stinky.”
Kevin growls and tries to slip away, but I manage to get a hold of his scruff right before he makes a run for the exit. “Uh-uh. We’re going to take a bath.”
Slowly and carefully, I bundle Kevin in my arms and make my way down to the bathing chamber. Not trusting Kevin to go in on his own, I carry him into the water, allowing the magical properties to strip the dirt and grime from his fur.
“See?” I fix his hair into a little mohawk. “All better!”
As soon as I release him, Kevin darts for the edge, pulling himself out of the water and shaking the offensive water from his body.
“You’re so dramatic, Kevin. It wasn’t so bad.”
Kevin bleats indignantly and trots off toward the exit, no doubt needing some space to come to terms with the injustice I put him through. I have a feeling he’ll come around when it’s time for breakfast.
Giggling, I continue wading in the pool, enjoying the warmth of the water and the tingling of my skin as the magic heals and strips away any dirt on my skin.
When my fingers are sufficiently pruned, I carefully climb out of the pool, allowing the air to dry my skin before I slip my suit back on. I twist my drying hair into a quick braid, tying it off with a thin strip of hide before lowering my tired arms to my side.
Wanting to enjoy the warmth of the bathing chamber for a while longer, I sit at the edge of the pool, bracing my palms on the ledge as I dip my ties in the heated water.
The beauty and atmosphere of this place reminds me of a natural spa, only more beautiful.
It’s soothing. Peaceful. Demon-free and silent.
I should be happy about that, but all I feel is desperate longing for my mate. A deep ache has settled in the center of my chest, and I know the only thing that will help is the demon I’m actively avoiding. Or rather, he’s avoiding me…
Bringing my knees to my chest, I wrap my arms around them and hide my face, letting out a low groan. “This sucks.”
“What sucks?”
A scream explodes from my chest, and I whip around, my eyes widening comically as they land on Dravik’s severe expression.
Guess he got back from his hunt…
Dravik’s face is covered in splatters of a blue-black substance—blood, probably—and there’s a deep crease between his thick brows that tells me he wasn’t expecting to find me down here. He seems even more massive than when he left. Even more deadly.
I wonder if “feeding” on souls has some effect on him physically—if he didn’t eat, would he wither away to nothing? Is that how demons die?
I make a mental note to ask Nyx about it when I’m done being mad at him.
Dravik clears his throat, reminding me I never answered his question. “Well?”
“Um, nothing. Just talking to myself…”
“Oh. Okay.” With a shrug, he steps deeper into the bathing chamber, stripping his suit as he goes, exposing the bulging muscles along his back and arms.
My jaw hits my chest when he stops at the edge of the pool to slide his armor down over his toned ass, and I’m finally able to pull my eyes away—ashamed, but not regretting a single moment.
Dravik submerges himself in the water, and when just his head peaks over the surface, I feel brave enough to speak.
“So… did you have a nice hunt?”
He turns slowly in the water to face me. “Sure.”
“Did you catch anything tasty?”
“I suppose.”
“Do you have a favorite meal? Or do all souls taste the same?”
He sighs. “Is it normal for humans to watch others bathe and pester them with questions?”
I shrug. “Hey, you were the one who interrupted mine and Kevin’s bath time.”
“I needed to clean myself. It couldn’t wait.” He reaches up, cringing as he attempts to drag a clawed hand through his hair. “I hate it when my hair gets tangled and sticky after a hunt.”
My fingers itch to reach out and help him untangle some of the knots.
The sunset coloring is absolutely stunning, and I have a feeling it would look even more so if it was properly styled and cared for.
“You know, if you want me to braid it for you next time, I’ve gotten pretty good at it.
” I grab my rope of hair and hold it up to show him.
“It’ll keep it from knotting so badly, at the very least.”
His eyes flare bright orange as a look of longing flashes across his expression. It’s so swift, I wonder for a moment if I imagined it.
“No, thank you.” His voice is stern. “I have managed it so far.”
Sure you have. Stubborn, stubborn man. “Okay. Let me know if you change your mind. I’d be happy to do it.”
He nods, and we fall into a charged silence. After a while, Dravik looks around the room, his brows narrowing in a question. “Where are Nyx and Rhune? Shouldn’t they be hanging around you like a bad smell?”
“I’m not exactly sure where they are at the moment.” I drop my eyes to my lap. “I sent them away and told them I needed space after… you know. I haven’t seen Nyx, but I imagine he’s sulking around here somewhere. Rhune left two cycles ago, but I don’t know where or when he’s coming back.”
“Hmm. That’s troubling.”
“Why?”
The corner of his lip quirks—the first hint of a smile I’ve seen.
“Because those two are incredibly persistent and clingy—despite what Nyx will try to tell you about himself. If they’re not here pestering you, then I’d say they’re off thinking of ways to make you forgive them.
Especially Rhune,” he adds, the smile dropping off his face.
“He’s probably going out of his mind knowing he can’t be next to you.
The mate bond is new, and at its most powerful, so he will do quite literally anything to get in your good graces. ”
I cross my arms over my chest, trying to ignore the stab of guilt that Dravik’s words bring. “You think I’m being unreasonable?”
He shakes his head. “No. I think you’re being very reasonable, considering the circumstances.
” His eyes soften at the corners as he adds, “I’m sorry it happened this way, but now that it has, there’s nothing you can do to make it go away.
The more you fight the bond and push him away, the worse it will be. For both of you.”
With that, Dravik goes back to detangling his pretty orange hair, seemingly unaware of how his words have affected me. I know he’s just being practical and trying to help me, but damn. He could have delivered the news a little softer.
“I think I’m gonna go hang out in Cin’s workshop for a bit…” I slowly pull my feet from the pool. “See you later…”
Dravik dips his chin in goodbye, and I hurry from the bathing chamber in the direction of Cin’s workshop.
As soon as I step inside, my gaze falls on Cin’s frame at the back of the room, standing square in front of the wall of welwig roots.
His shoulders and back are tense, his chin raised slightly and eyes unblinking.
If I didn’t know better, I might have mistaken him for one of the sculptures littered around the space.
Slowly, I walk to his side, needing to make sure he’s okay.
“Hey Cin,” I greet, holding my hand up in a little wave. When he doesn’t acknowledge me, I slowly lower my arm, my brows creasing in a deep frown. “Cin? You okay?”
Still, he doesn’t answer.
I wave a hand in front of his face. “Hello? Earth to Cin?”
Growing concerned, I place my palm on his shoulder, hoping to rouse him from the trance-like state. As soon as my skin makes contact, Cin wheels around with a monstrous snarl, and the anger twisting his features causes my heart to leap into my throat.