Chapter 9
CHAPTER
Ash, leather and steel; the scent had grown on me. It was almost addictive, like a hunted prey desperately searching for shelter or safety from a predator. I inhaled it again and again convincing myself that I was safe.
I cracked my eyelids open, the morning light making them sting, forcing me to squint until the blur settled.
Warmth and the weight of arms, his arms, locked around me was like a shield and a shackle all at once.
My cheek pressed against his chest, his heartbeat steady and unyielding beneath my ear.
“Malakai,” I muttered, instinctively testing to see if I could wriggle free.
I could not.
A slow exhale ghosted through my hair, too deliberate for him to be asleep. My gaze drifted to the sharp line of his collarbone and before I could think better of it, I leaned forward and grazed it with my lips.
That was all it took.
In one fluid shift, I was beneath him, the world flipping with dizzying ease. My back hit the bedroll, air whooshing from my lungs as his weight caged me in.
“Such a bold kitten,” he murmured, amusement crackling in his voice like embers. His eyes, half-lidded and glowing, drank me in as though I were his first and last sin.
“I knew you weren’t asleep,” I accused.
“Would you have touched me like that if I was?” His lips hovered over mine, barely there, teasing the space between us.
Heat coiled in my belly. “I might still do worse things, depending on your next move.”
A low rumble vibrated in his chest, dangerously close to a laugh. “Try me and find out.”
I lifted a hand, dragging my fingers along his jaw. He leaned into the touch, nuzzling my hand like a predator indulging in a pet.
For a heartbeat, a fragile, sacred heartbeat, there was no war, no demons to hunt down and no death waiting with open jaws. There was only this. The faint light of dawn, the muted clatter of soldiers waking elsewhere in camp and the two of us nestled between choice and inevitability.
He dipped his head, brushing his nose against my cheek, his breath warm. Not quite a kiss, just a simple promise of one as his lips brushed against my skin.
“Stay like this a little longer,” I whispered, surprising myself.
His answer came in the form of silence, and his body pressing firmer against mine, allowing himself to relax.
We stayed there, neither of us speaking. I watched the soft strands of white hair fall over his brow. He watched me with that maddening calm that made me forget how utterly broken the world was.
Eventually, reality intruded; the distant clank of armor being strapped on, orders being barked, and the scent of cooking and wood burning.
Malakai didn’t move.
“We have to get up,” I said gently.
A low sigh escaped him as his arms slithered tighter around me. For a brief moment, I thought he was going to protest, before he heaved us both up.
By instinct, my arms wrapped around his neck, until he was standing and his smug eyes met mine again.
“Put me down,” I demanded, wiggling my legs in his grip.
“Oh, I’m sorry, you’ve reached the limit of your daily requests, kitten,” Malakai snarked at me, as he tossed me over his shoulder and casually held me with one arm.
“Excuse me?” I huffed, sending a balled hand into his shoulder.
“You’re excused.”
“The day just started!?” I barked, kicking my legs wilder.
“That makes you unlucky,” Malakai chuckled, readjusting his grip of me as he began walking. In an instant, flames erupted around me, burning fierce and untamed, like a beast finally let out of its cage.
“So scary,” Malakai said amused.
I saw several soldiers staring wide-eyed at us as we passed through, my cheeks heating as a result. In some of their eyes, we were probably the very definition of frightening; a fire mage, the first in a long time, and a half-demon with blood magic.
We were already a spectacle.
Fine, two could play that game.
I lifted my head just enough for the nearest onlookers to lock eyes with me. “Relax, everyone. He only acts like this when he’s craving attention.”
A few snorts barely disguised as coughs sounded and Malakai’s stride faltered just a fraction.
Victory.
I patted his lower back with mock sympathy. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. If you need attention, you can just ask like a normal person.”
He slowed, but didn’t stop. Even without words, it was clear I was playing with a predator.
“Oh, I’m asking,” he drawled, voice low and rich enough to make my pulse trip. “I’m just not using words.”
The implication landed a half-second before I could brace for it.
Oh.
Two nearby soldiers turned away so fast they nearly tripped over each other.
He smirked. I didn’t have to see it; I felt it.
Enough.
I lowered my voice, tapping a finger against his back in a playful rhythm.
“Though if this is the kind of stunt you have to pull just to keep my attention…” I clicked my tongue. “Can’t imagine how you’ll cope when I start ignoring you on purpose.”
That did it. He stopped walking, silence stretching and tension building. I could almost feel my lifespan shortening, as his hand spread across the back of my thigh in a firm, possessive grip, less restraint, more claim.
“Try,” he murmured, voice dark with amusement. “I dare you.”
A thrill sparked down my spine. Was I in control? Maybe not but I had his full attention now.
His challenge still hung in the air when, without warning, he shifted his grip. For a heartbeat, I thought he was about to throw me even higher over his shoulder, like a sack of grain.
Instead, he lowered me, carefully, but deliberately.
As my boots hit the ground, I straightened, only to find myself caged. One of his arms was braced beside my head against a tree trunk behind me, his body crowding into mine like he was staking his territory. He was too close, too warm, and far too intentional.
He didn’t touch me, but his presence pressed in like a hand wrapped around my throat. Not choking, holding, how was it even possible?
“Go on,” he said quietly. “Ignore me.”
I scoffed, refusing to flinch even as every inch of me prickled. “Don’t tempt me.”
His lips curved, predatory.
“You can roll your eyes, you can insult me, you can pretend to be the one in charge.” His voice dipped, dangerously low. “But the second I step close, you stop breathing in anticipation, sweetie.”
I opened my mouth to deny it, yet nothing came out. He leaned just a fraction closer, still not touching, but looming.
“Try it,” he whispered again, coaxing. “Pretend I don’t affect you. I’ll wait.”
The worst part? He would, and he’d win.
I glared up at him, jaw tight. “You’re insufferable.”
He smirked. “You’re rattled.”
“Am not,” I shot out quickly… perhaps too quickly.
“You are.”
Damn him for having that effect on me.
I stayed pinned between him and the tree, stubbornly refusing to give ground. His arm remained braced beside my head, his gaze fixed on me like he was mesmerized by every twitch I made.
When my pulse finally began to steady, he stepped back, not hurriedly, but with measured slowness, certain that the space he left made me feel cold and empty. Like he’d already taken what he wanted.
“When you were at the Rimefield camp and I couldn’t be at your side,” he said, eyes still locked on mine.
“Every damned second felt like torture. Each breath like my last, because I can’t breathe without you by my side.
” He took my hand and placed it at his heart.
“So yes, kitten, you win. I would die if you ignored me.”
“It’s not a competition,” I murmured, defeated.
“Making your heart skip a beat, sure feels like a prize though,” he quipped.
Malakai turned, not even bothering to check whether I followed, and started walking towards our meetup point.
“Come on,” he said over his shoulder, tone maddeningly calm. “We’re burning daylight.”
I stood there a second longer than I meant to, before noticing that he held his hand slightly angled back, as if waiting for me to grab it.
Damn him.
At least we weren’t the last ones to arrive at the outskirts of the camp. Lionel, Eve, and Nate were already there waiting when Malakai and I arrived.
“Amestele sent a scouting team out not long ago,” Lionel began rambling. “Apparently two people are supposed to meet up with us.”
“Well, good morning to you, too,” I chuckled at the tension.
He froze and his eyes slid to me, blinking almost confused. “Yeah… morning.” He looked flustered, before turning his attention elsewhere.
I really hoped that the day of us not being awkward near each other would return—preferably sooner rather than later.
“So I’ve heard,” Eve sneered at me knowingly.
Shit, had she seen Malakai’s little parade? I glared at him, but he remained blank as if not knowing what she was talking of.
“Where’s Ash?” Nate asked, looking around.
“Restocking gifts for the demons, as she so gracefully called it,” Jaden said, appearing out of nowhere, placing himself near Nate as if challenging his personal space.
Nate eyed him up and down as he crossed his arms.
“Oh, you mean stealing,” Nate snorted, as a sneer appeared on his face.
“Or flirting,” Eve added, giving Nate a mocking grin and he actually froze in place, glaring at her.
“Play nice,” Lionel snapped at them.
“Oh, that doesn’t sound like my team at all,” Ashley strolled up casually from the side with a large smile on her lips.
“There she is,” Jaden smirked. “Tell me, what did you have to pay for the supplies?”
Ashley flashed him a grin sharp enough to cut rope. “Didn’t cost me a coin. I just offered Eve’s hand in marriage to the blacksmith. Said she’s housebroken enough.”
Eve’s head whipped around. “You what?”
“Oh, don’t act surprised. Strong bloodline, mean bite—figured some lonely man would love a wife who hisses.” Ashley shrugged innocently.
Jaden wheezed and Nate actually doubled over, placing a hand on Jaden’s shoulder to keep his balance.
Eve stormed towards her. “Take. It. Back.”
“Why? You could do worse.” Ashley tapped her chin thoughtfully. “He’s only fifteen years older and missing one tooth. But he’s got a steady income.”
“I will bury you,” Eve spat.
“You’ll have to get in line,” Ashley said sweetly. “I have some demons waiting, they made an appointment long before you, sugar.”
Nate cackled wildly, Jaden’s brows lifting towards the sky in surprise. Even I had to press a hand over my mouth to smother a laugh.
Eve looked like she was about to throw herself at Ashley like a wild animal. “I would rather leap into a demon’s jaws than marry—”
“Oh good,” Ashley said cheerfully. “I told him you were into dramatic courtship.”
“I said, play nice,” Lionel groaned in the background. “Why do I even bother?”
“Maybe their fight will distract the demons,” Jaden snickered, trying to hold back.
“I hope they bring snacks for all of us,” Nate cackled.
“Can we just leave?” Eve barked angrily. “I can’t wait to feed her to the demons.”
“Hey! We’re not feeding any demons!” Jaden blurted, tone suddenly changed, his face disgusted by the thought.
“Well… this became awkward,” Malakai muttered, but his smirk not aligning with his words.
I sighed, stepped forward, linked my arm with Ashley and tugged her along. “Let’s go.”
“Wait… I don’t get second breakfast before we leave?” she gasped in disappointment.
“Knowing you, you’ve probably already stashed food in your pockets,” I murmured, giving her a knowing look as she smiled innocently back at me.