He pulls away just as I’m contemplating slipping out of this silk dress Altair bought me. Dain’s hands hold me still, and I pant, eyes wide as I stare into his gaze. He smirks, not a hair out of place despite my hands raking through it. Gently, He lifts me from his lap and sets me onto the bench beside him. He picks up the book, which fell into the grass when I lost myself. Reverently, Dain dusts it off and presses it into my hands.
“Take good care of it, Verity,” he purrs.
He rises, looming over me. My eyes dart over him, taking in his strong, lithe figure. I bite my lip, resisting the urge to beg him to stay a while longer. Stay forever. He smiles as if he can sense my thoughts. His hands cup my cheek in a silent farewell.
“Wait,” I blurt, jumping to my feet. He stops, looking at me expectantly. “When can I see you again?”
His smile broadens, his eyes black. “Soon, my love.”
“My love?” I echo as he melts away into the trees.
I sink back onto the bench, clutching the book to my chest. It thrums with power, but I don’t feel the overwhelming curiosity to read it now. I want Dain. I want him back with me in the dark, handling my body like he owned me. I shudder, biting my lip as I revel in my memories of the kiss.
Slowly, I come back to myself. The candle has burned halfway, the wax melting over the metal frame of the bench. I turn to the last page I read and study the words. Dain is in the back of my mind, my body still pulsing with desire and pleasure. I need to see him again. I need to ask him more about the book. There’s something different about him, something more. He radiates quiet power, stronger than Altair. He’s addictive, I admit with a shudder.
The book draws me back as my eyes settle over the jagged lettering. My thoughts stray from Dain and my body cools as I read. I feel a shiver along my spine, as if someone is watching me. But I can’t seem to care enough to glance up. I can’t seem to care about much anymore.
Chapter 13
Altair
Navi turns to me, her eyes cold and fierce. “What is going on, Altair? Did you see the way her eyes changed?” Navi purses her lips and tightens her grip on the hilt of her sword, pacing.
“I saw,” I murmur. I lean against the heavy oak table with the remnants of my dinner with Verity.
“Something isn’t right with her,” Navi continues. She eyes me. “I take it there’s been no progress with wedding preparations?”
“Not yet,” I say, tapping a finger against my folded arm. I stare into the flames in the fireplace, wishing they held answers. “But she will.”
“Are you sure?” Navi moves closer. Her concern is clear in her emerald green eyes. “I’ve served you for many years, Altair. I was by your side throughout the curse. If she doesn’t fulfill her covenant to you, I’m afraid it will all be for nothing.”
I purse my lips. “We don’t know what happens if it isn’t fulfilled. It could be nothing.”
“And if it isn’t?” Navi asks. “We can’t afford to find out.”
“I know,” I sigh. “The more I pressure her, the more she pulls away.”
“She’s a woman,” Navi says. “Show her your affection isn’t completely due to the curse.”
I shove away from the table, frustration sweeping through me. “Haven’t I done that already?”
Navi rolls her eyes. “I wouldn’t know, I’m not watching your relationship with her that closely.”
The frustration falls away almost instantly as I watch Navi’s eyes drop to her sword. “I’m sorry,” I say softly. “I shouldn’t burden you with this.”
“No.” She looks up. “This concerns us all.”
I sigh, the burden of my duties settling like a heavyweight on my shoulders. “I know.”
Navi moves beside me. She smiles, the same smile she gave me before Verity arrived. “Go to her, let the councilors take over for a few days. It will be worth it.”
“Thank you, Navi,” I whisper.
She puts a hand on my shoulder and squeezes. Navi drops my gaze as she releases me. With a short bow, she sweeps out of the room. I bite my lip, considering her last advice, and move to the window.
A war is coming. I won’t relish the bloodshed we will face, but if we can finish the Bloodbane, Alnembra won’t be disturbed for thousands of years to come. We will have peace. I grit my teeth as I picture Maaz in her stone keep, plotting against me. On the battlefield, I will find her and kill her myself. I will kill her for what she did to me, for what she has done to my people, and for what she did to Verity.
The wound on Verity’s stomach is nothing but a thin scar now. I wonder absentmindedly if it bothers her. Navi is right, I haven’t given Verity much of my time lately. I haven’t even bothered to ask her how her recovery is going, I realize with a pang of guilt. I’ve hardly wondered how she spends her days, or if she’s lonely. I slam my fist against the stone wall, cursing myself. I brought this on myself. I drove her away first and then expected her to wait for me.
It’s late, but I doubt she’ll be sleeping. I’ll go to her now. I take one last long look out the window when movement in the darkness below catches my eyes. I lean against the window pane, peering
