Chapter 51
—Kienna—
Kienna lay still next to Danek’s chest, listening to the beating of his heart as he slept in her bed.
The fire crept to a slow crackle, the aroma of burnt wood and oak gently swirling around the room.
She brushed her fingers against his skin, glowing like candlelight reflecting off polished wood.
His breath rose steadily, and Kienna knew she could spend her entire life feeling these pure moments if the world would allow her.
As moonlight inched along the floor, Kienna wouldn’t be so lucky as to live in a bubble with Danek.
She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his bare chest, the warmth of him steadying and grounding against her mouth. She held it for as long as she could before creeping out of bed. Gliding on the tips of her toes, she gathered her garments and dressed.
Danek stirred. “Come back.” Kienna held her breath, and yet she couldn’t resist the sound of his voice. She cozied in next to him, letting her fingers trail his skin. Danek wrapped her in his arms, his eyes finally fluttering open. Worry overtook him. “Where are you going?”
“Dove Port,” she whispered. She lifted her head to search for a reaction when his body stilled. “I left something behind, and I need to go find it if I’m going to do anything they want me to do here.”
“I’ll get dressed.”
“No.” Kienna’s heart sank as confusion stripped the warmth from Danek’s face. She cupped his cheek. “I need to do this alone. Don’t look at me like that.” Danek nearly pulled away. Kienna only hugged tighter. “I’m coming back, I promise. I just need answers.”
Danek took Kienna by the shoulders, pushing her back so he could look at her. His eyes bounced between hers, the moonlight contrasting the gold in his irises. He let out a breath of air from his nose as one side of his lips arched. The other remained sad. “Let me hold you for a while longer first.”
“I need to go before the forest wakes,” Kienna whispered.
She let Danek pull her in anyway. His heart thrummed against his chest, vibrating her cheek.
She’d stay simply for the sound of it. It entranced her to feel so close to someone.
It also scared the shit out of her because being close was risky.
It opened her own heart for emotions she wasn’t prepared to feel.
She’d feel them for Danek, but she needed to go.
She crawled out of his arms, pressing her lips to his once more. “I’ll be quick. Please forgive me.”
Kienna stood at the threshold, glancing back at Danek once more before shutting the door behind her. He’ll be okay, she thought.
She turned and then jumped as Ruva greeted her. Fuck! You nearly scared me half to death! How long have you been there?
Long enough, Ruva said gently.
Kienna caught the breath in her throat, letting her heart settle as silence lingered between them. She started forward, unsure of what else to say. What could she say? Certainly, she didn’t have to explain herself to Ruva, and the wolf was polite not to mention it.
Ahead, the forest grounds were coated in shadows, only hints of the moon glowing down on them. Kienna rubbed Ruva’s ears, encouraging her to fall in line with her steps.
We’re leaving, Ru.
Ruva whimpered. Kienna patted her side as she took a direct path through the trees.
Kienna always knew her path was never her own in River Storm.
Where her heart leaned toward levity and creation, King Vaerin wanted strength and war.
When she left River Storm to take her life back, the Elvish asked her to fight a war against the man who imprisoned her.
Spiders of doubt crawled through her skin. Every time she started to take something for herself, someone took it back from her. Her heart flooded for Danek, a fear she didn’t think she’d ever have to worry about until now.
Love is scary, Ruva agreed. But we certainly do love him.
Kienna jolted her head. No one said anything about love.
The wolf huffed.
Perhaps Ruva was right, wise beyond her years.
Only when Kienna started to love did her desire to fight compel her.
She didn’t want to be part of this war until she met the people of Dove Port and fell in love with the life it offered her.
She didn’t want to think about what more she could be until…
Danek’s cedar scent lingered on her skin.
He understands, Kienna whispered, thinking back to the look he gave her as she turned away. I need to find myself, so I can be more.
Why not take him?
Kienna thought about her journey. To Maren.
To the task of finding Ash. She didn’t know if anything remained for her aside from his existence, but she wanted to find out.
Though she was willing to give Danek everything, she wanted this moment with Ash to be hers alone.
Sometimes he’s too supportive. I want to form this part of me on my own.
Onward, Ruva said. Let’s get our answers.