Chapter Fifteen
Kael swings onto the russet mare with a grace that borders on terrifying. His movements are fluid, effortless, like the horse is an extension of him. He reaches a hand down to me, his expression softening into something unexpectedly sincere.
I hesitate. The loss of my mother’s cuff still weighs heavily, and now this—a forced closeness that feels too intimate, too exposing.
I place my foot in the stirrup, my heart pounding as Kael’s hand wraps around mine. His grip is strong, steady, and for a moment, I feel anchored.
As our palms meet, something twists in my chest. Then it happens—a vibrant gold light flares, rippling through me, warm and alive. A traitorous response to his touch. My breath catches, and I squeeze my eyes shut, willing the sensation to fade.
This is the second time my power has flared at Kael’s touch, and I can’t ignore it anymore. My magic—wild yet bound—seems to recognize him, to respond to him in ways I can’t explain.
Kael doesn’t pull away. If anything, his grip tightens slightly, his gaze lingering on my glowing chest with an unreadable expression. For once, he doesn’t smirk or tease.
“Are you all right?” he asks, his voice low, almost gentle.
“I’m fine,” I reply quickly, though my voice wavers.
As he helps me settle in front of him, his arms brush against mine, and I can feel the heat radiating from him. It’s infuriating and comforting all at once, and I hate the way my body seems to lean into his presence.
Behind us, Ronyn groans. “This is going to be a long ride.”
Then, we cross the threshold.
We enter the Frael Forest.