eye, I could see his flushed cheeks. It wouldn ’t be long before he started to notice the curse, too. Already he seemed more drawn to me than yesterday. Or was that just because I needed so much help with my ankle?
I shook my head.
“No, I’ll ride with you.”
CHAPTER FIVE
‘ In his embrace her eyes faltered, betraying thoughts most secret...’
—Tale of the Binding
The ride towards Bane was quiet. With the colourful leaves and the sunlight streaking through the trees, it might even have been pleasant. Personally, I would’ve been more comfortable sitting on a firecracker. My head was a whirlwind of desires, and though I tried to push them away, it was a pointless exercise. Every jolt from Cielo shoved me against Ryan, and my mind would spiral into a renewed frenzy.
Since that near-miss in the valley, the Binding had shifted tactics, and I was faring far worse against its new plan. Now, along with a flying pulse and a face redder than the finest Ornixa rubies, my head was filled with every moment I ’d been with my Bound partner.
It was a wonder I hadn ’t jumped into Ryan’s lap and kissed his face off.
Each blink brought back the night ’s events with unnatural clarity. I’d never prided myself on a sharp memory, but the way I could suddenly recall things was unbelievable. I was almost in the Galgiza again, when he’d held me after the bear’s attack. The taste of my tears, the comfort of his arms, that scent I still didn’t know what to call but drove my body wild…
I clenched my teeth, turning my head aside to clear my nose. I didn ’t want to remember those things; didn’t want to feed the urges that would eventually be too strong to resist.
“Everything alright?” Ryan called. He ’d not spoken much since we left the flower valley—understandable, given what had happened. A stray petal lingered on his sleeve, begging to be flicked away.
“Just fine,” I said, resting my hands against his hips. I ’d discovered that holding onto his torso aggravated my symptoms the most, so this was the best compromise between going crazy with lust or falling off Cielo.
“Bane ’s only two miles ahead.” Ryan pointed to the upcoming fork. I peered over his shoulder, dodging the lock of hair that tried to caress my cheek, and spotted the familiar signpost. To the left lay Lanaran, a city famed for its manufacturing and historical archives, and also the South Road, which passed through most of Azaria’s major cities, ending at Viens. To the right lay our destination; Bane, third-largest town in the north after Terent and Lanaran, and closest to my village, Velwall.
Home away from home.
I retreated into my hood, sighing. It would be weird shying from all the local characters. Like Gregor, the master tanner who loved my father’s poultices; Darren, the butcher who could always find me a prime meat joint; Brian, the blacksmith who could shoe a horse faster than you could eat an apple; even Major Vance, the Guardsmen trainer who never behaved quite as strict whenever I spoke with him.
A lump rose in my throat, and I bit my lip. This would be my last visit to the town. The last time I ’d walk the cobblestone streets, or drink from the wishing fountain, or sit outside The Swan and Gate and listen to the vendors hollering out their wares. My mistake in the Galgiza had blown open the boundaries of my little world, and a great unknown awaited beyond.
And there was no coming back.
I shook my head. Was this what it was like for you, Fiona? Knowing you’d never enjoy the simple things again? No wonder you hid so far inside yourself.
Cielo broke into a brisk trot. I lurched forward, knocking my chin on Ryan ’s shoulder. That blonde lock had its revenge and grazed the cut on my cheek. Before I could question Ryan’s need for haste, a vision stirred. Ugh, no! You can’t do this, not when we could be…
No use. The mid-morning sun faded, and we were riding in the
I shook my head.
“No, I’ll ride with you.”
CHAPTER FIVE
‘ In his embrace her eyes faltered, betraying thoughts most secret...’
—Tale of the Binding
The ride towards Bane was quiet. With the colourful leaves and the sunlight streaking through the trees, it might even have been pleasant. Personally, I would’ve been more comfortable sitting on a firecracker. My head was a whirlwind of desires, and though I tried to push them away, it was a pointless exercise. Every jolt from Cielo shoved me against Ryan, and my mind would spiral into a renewed frenzy.
Since that near-miss in the valley, the Binding had shifted tactics, and I was faring far worse against its new plan. Now, along with a flying pulse and a face redder than the finest Ornixa rubies, my head was filled with every moment I ’d been with my Bound partner.
It was a wonder I hadn ’t jumped into Ryan’s lap and kissed his face off.
Each blink brought back the night ’s events with unnatural clarity. I’d never prided myself on a sharp memory, but the way I could suddenly recall things was unbelievable. I was almost in the Galgiza again, when he’d held me after the bear’s attack. The taste of my tears, the comfort of his arms, that scent I still didn’t know what to call but drove my body wild…
I clenched my teeth, turning my head aside to clear my nose. I didn ’t want to remember those things; didn’t want to feed the urges that would eventually be too strong to resist.
“Everything alright?” Ryan called. He ’d not spoken much since we left the flower valley—understandable, given what had happened. A stray petal lingered on his sleeve, begging to be flicked away.
“Just fine,” I said, resting my hands against his hips. I ’d discovered that holding onto his torso aggravated my symptoms the most, so this was the best compromise between going crazy with lust or falling off Cielo.
“Bane ’s only two miles ahead.” Ryan pointed to the upcoming fork. I peered over his shoulder, dodging the lock of hair that tried to caress my cheek, and spotted the familiar signpost. To the left lay Lanaran, a city famed for its manufacturing and historical archives, and also the South Road, which passed through most of Azaria’s major cities, ending at Viens. To the right lay our destination; Bane, third-largest town in the north after Terent and Lanaran, and closest to my village, Velwall.
Home away from home.
I retreated into my hood, sighing. It would be weird shying from all the local characters. Like Gregor, the master tanner who loved my father’s poultices; Darren, the butcher who could always find me a prime meat joint; Brian, the blacksmith who could shoe a horse faster than you could eat an apple; even Major Vance, the Guardsmen trainer who never behaved quite as strict whenever I spoke with him.
A lump rose in my throat, and I bit my lip. This would be my last visit to the town. The last time I ’d walk the cobblestone streets, or drink from the wishing fountain, or sit outside The Swan and Gate and listen to the vendors hollering out their wares. My mistake in the Galgiza had blown open the boundaries of my little world, and a great unknown awaited beyond.
And there was no coming back.
I shook my head. Was this what it was like for you, Fiona? Knowing you’d never enjoy the simple things again? No wonder you hid so far inside yourself.
Cielo broke into a brisk trot. I lurched forward, knocking my chin on Ryan ’s shoulder. That blonde lock had its revenge and grazed the cut on my cheek. Before I could question Ryan’s need for haste, a vision stirred. Ugh, no! You can’t do this, not when we could be…
No use. The mid-morning sun faded, and we were riding in the
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