Chapter 22
The morning sunlight was blinding, gilding the camp in its golden touch as Dominic stepped out onto his balcony, a new sense of determination fueling him.
Through the branches and leaves and woven paths in the midst of the trees, Dominic saw figures seated on a wooden platform, playing cards spread in their palms and coins scattered in the middle of them.
Evreux was one of them. Dominic noted the bandage wrapped around his bicep, the small cuts visible on the profile of his face, but other than that, it seemed the creatures of the island had taken it easy on him.
The newcomer reached out a hand, tangling his fingers in the thin golden threads of light that dangled from a large red mushroom sprouting from a tree limb.
Despite himself, Dominic almost smiled at the awe on Evreux’s face.
It was always so intriguing to see how they reacted to the magical elements sprouting within their home after surviving the mutants that prowled Andreilia.
Vesper’s white hair gleamed in the glow of lanterns hanging on the trunks that illuminated the shadows cast from the foliage.
Evreux stiffened as he approached, presumably remembering Vesper was one who argued against letting him stay.
But Vesper merely clapped him on the shoulder and said, “Don’t take it personal.
We’re all just doing what we can to keep everyone safe. ”
Evreux relaxed and shifted to the left, giving Vesper room to sit between him and Adara to join their game.
Tiny tree frogs that emitted a purple glow as they hopped along the bark limned the group with ethereal wonder.
One landed on Zephyr’s outstretched finger, who hung upside down from a branch above, watching the group playing cards.
Adara’s silky brown hair shifted as she peered up at Zephyr with a gentle smile.
She sent a little flaming butterfly his way, and his brown eyes filled with awe as it landed on his nose but did not burn.
She turned her attention back to the game as Evreux displayed his hand for the rest of them to see.
Asher stared down at the cards in disbelief.
“No way!” Caleb shouted, throwing his cards into the pile in the middle. “You cheated!”
Evreux pressed a hand to his chest, feigning offense. “How dare you accuse me of such a thing?” His lips cracked into a knowing smile.
Adara’s calculating gaze turned to him, eyes glancing between him and their cards now tossed haphazardly between them. A cunning smile emerged on her face. “You rigged the deck,” she said, less accusatory and more proud than anything.
Evreux’s shoulders shook with a chuckle as he collected his winnings.
Dominic rolled his eyes. He hated to admit it, but Adara was right after all. Evreux was harmless, and his slyness could be useful.
Tobias climbed the stairs to join them, giving Caleb a peck on the cheek as he sat down. The latter’s face flushed red against his pale skin.
Dominic started toward them, crossing a bridge suspended between two huts and walking over a thick branch until he hopped down onto the platform on which they sat. All eyes turned to him, and he almost laughed at the fear radiating from Evreux.
“Done trying to kill me, Nite?” Adara mused, shuffling the deck with nonchalance.
He smirked. “Not quite. We still have a war of hearts to finish,” he said, extending a hand to her. “And a Realm Fracturer to forge.”
Emotion flitted across her irises, lighting with newfound hope.
Despite the revelation about the dragon scale and shadow steel, Dominic wasn’t giving up.
Perhaps they could find the relics in Malryn, or maybe they’d find a way to break the damn spell hiding Blemythia from the rest of the world and get the relics from there.
Then Adara would be home and would have no need for the Fracturing Sword, and they wouldn’t have to battle for who would get to use it.
Sparks shot through his fingers as Adara’s hand, surprisingly, clasped his. He pulled her to her feet, his strength returning with this new fervor to win her heart and forge the most powerful weapon in the world.
Their hands lingered together for a moment, her touch a warm comfort. Ice returned to his skin as she awkwardly pulled away. “Where to now?” she finally asked.
“Malryn,” he said. “Time to find the ashes of the Ruins.”
Mud squished beneath their boots as they walked through the jungle, rain clinging to their clothes.
The rest of the Andreilians were already on the ship, lugging supplies and travel packs on board, while Adara and Dominic remained behind, devising a plan and poring over the Realm Fracturer riddle once more to be sure they weren’t missing any details about the remaining relics.
Once again, they dared to sail across the Plagued Sea to dock in Lykrios.
“I told you he’d survive,” Adara said, turning to walk backwards so she could face him with a cocky smirk.
“You got lucky,” Dominic grumbled. “I’m still not sure he won’t try to kill us in our sleep.” The boy seemed useless in terms of combat, but Dominic simply didn’t want to admit that Adara was right.
She breathed a laugh. “Oh, come on, he’s harmless,” she replied. “Niran or Silas could beat him in a fight.”
“You’re a fool for being so trusting with a stranger.
” Dominic couldn’t help himself. It was much too enjoyable to see the way her cheeks reddened with embarrassment or anger when he insulted her.
He found it fun to banter back and forth with her, but he ultimately loved it when she would get flustered at his impassive reactions, irritated that she couldn’t stir up emotion from him.
Adara huffed, shaking her head and pinching the bridge of her nose. “You know what, Nite? Fuck you.”
A sharp turn and a step in the other direction was all she got before Dominic was upon her, backing her against a tree with his hands braced on either side of her face. She didn’t flinch, utterly unfazed by his sudden movement.
He needed to start playing this game right to win the key to her heart.
Perhaps, if he won over her physical attraction first, that would open a doorway to new emotions.
Perhaps she would like the way his eyes ran up and down her body, every curve and dip noticeable through her wet clothes flush against her skin.
Although he was only toying with her, Dominic couldn’t deny the way his body reacted to her nearness.
The way he ached to be closer to her. He wanted to slowly, agonizingly, peel the damp fabric away, revealing every inch of her to him.
Adara shivered, from the icy rain or the brush of his lips against the shell of her ear, he didn’t know. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” he drawled.
Her teeth dragged across her lower lip, her eyes alight with hunger beneath dark lashes. “If you wanted me against a wall, all you had to do was ask.” Her words were a quiet rasp, as if his touch affected her as much as it did him.
Dominic tensed at the challenge.
Lips tugging into a cruel smirk, Adara winked and ducked out from under his arm, walking toward the beach, hips swaying in a way that told him she knew exactly what she was doing to him.
He hated it. Loathed those words that left her tongue with no action to support them.
Cruel, wicked thing she was. He couldn’t resist. She didn’t just get to walk away.
Not after looking at him with lust in her eyes one moment and nothing the next.
Dominic ran after her, pushing aside thoughts of taking her against the tree right there.
Steps light and soundless, despite the mud underfoot, Adara never saw him coming.
Didn’t have a chance to object before he scooped her into his arms and leaped into the air.
He was grateful his magic thrummed with full force today.
Adara shrieked.
Higher and higher they rose, soaring through the trees until they broke out into the open air. Rain pelted their skin like sharp pebbles. Thunder rolled around them, flashes of lightning illuminating the dull sky.
“Dominic, put me down this instant!” she yelled. Her distressed voice was almost drowned out by the thunder. She slapped his chest, the scar on his skin barking in protest.
He shrugged. “You asked for it.” He let go of her, her rain-slick skin easily slipping through his fingers.
Her scream rang through the air, even over the pounding of thunder and rain. Her arms flailed as if they’d slow her fall. Terror-stricken eyes shone up at him.
He waited a moment, watching with a savage smile . . . then dove after her.
Eyes squinting against the wind and rain, Dominic plummeted toward her. A moment before she went crashing through the treetops, he swooped under her, catching her in his arms with a grunt from the impact.
They shot upward once more, Dominic clutching her in his arms. She clawed at his shirt, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck, clinging to him like he was some savior.
To his surprise, she did not close her eyes or hide her face against him.
She only stared down at the island. Her head swiveled every which way as she took in the open air, panting breaths slowing as they ascended, and she took in the view from above.
Lifting a hand to wipe the tangles of wet hair from her face, she finally turned her head to him. “I hate you,” she said, lightly punching him in the chest. But no anger shone in her eyes as she glanced between him and the wondrous view below.
On the other hand, he was shocked to see her fighting to suppress a smile.
His plan was working. He just had to act as if he wanted her more than anything in the world.
People loved to be wanted, to be chased after.
People loved to believe they were the ones who could bring out the good in the most evil things.
So he would convince Adara that he wanted her, that he’d change for her. Then he’d rip her heart to pieces.
Dominic couldn’t help but tip his head back and laugh. “Come on, Adara. Live a little.”
“Ironic, considering I was falling to my death moments ago.” Arms still securely wrapped around his neck, she tugged at a strand of his hair, sending a small sting through his scalp.
He shook his head away from her grasp, rain spraying from his wet hair. He expected her to be angry, and she did try so hard to glare at him—but failed miserably. That radiant grin finally broke free, filled with exhilaration.
Her smile was like the sun, and damn, it would be the death of him if it weren’t for his missing heart. Perhaps this was how he’d die. With her looking at him like he was something more. Someone worth fighting for. Someone worth living for.
She was playing him at his own game.
But for now, he didn’t care. Unable to do anything else, Dominic smiled back, and it felt so familiar, so natural for him to be at ease in her presence.
He hadn’t noticed how close they were. How tightly she pressed herself against his body with her hands locked around his neck, fingers lacing through his hair absentmindedly.
The scent of lavender on her skin overwhelmed him with such sweetness.
The white of her teeth and the blue of her eyes glowed in the flashing lightning.
Drops of rain rolled down her smooth, fair skin, landing on those sensuous lips, so temptingly close.
The sound of pouring rain and thunder was drowned out as if she were the only thing that mattered. The feel of her against him. The need to know how her lips tasted against his. But he wanted her to be the first to give in.
Adara turned her head, oblivious to his thoughts as she surveyed the island below them. So small with their height in the sky.
“We should get to the ship,” he said smoothly, lips now brushing her ear.
As if drawn from a trance, Adara whipped her head back to him, her body trembling in the cold. “Yeah,” she breathed.