Kull led me to a rusted wrought-iron gate in a crumbling stone wall. Hinges squealed as he pushed the gate open and led me inside, where we found several benches arranged around a tree. The guards stayed just outside the gate.
“What is this place?” I asked, staring at the stone seats and crumbling wall.
“My best guess is that it was once part of a castle of some sort. You can see the outlines of the walls there.” He pointed across the flat expanse of land where crumbling walls lay like exposed bone.
I watched as he stared out over the crumbling castle, past the hills and toward the mountains. The strong set of his jaw, his eyes the crystal blue of glacier ice, his lips curved in that familiar hint of a smile—all of it reminded me why I’d chosen him. We’d had a bumpy past for sure, but now none of that seemed to matter. Wind tousled his hair, and I reached up and pushed it away from his eyes. He caught my fingers and gave me a playful grin.
“Why did you bring me out here?” I asked.
His smile faded. “To be honest, I was worried about you.”
“Worried?”
He led me to a bench where I sat beside him. The two guards moved to within eyesight of us. I tried my best to not notice.
“After what happened in the cave, and then after you left so abruptly, I became concerned about you. I wanted to make sure you were well.”
“I’m fine.”
He gave me a suspicious glance. I dodged his gaze.
“You and Fan’twar both,” I said. “One would think you two had planned this.”
“We worry about you. You can’t blame us.”
“I wish you wouldn’t.”
“But do you wish to discuss what happened in the cave?”
“No, I don’t.”
He took my hand. “Believe me when I say I understand. It’s still hard for me to speak of my father’s death. I only wish for you to know that should you ever need to talk, you have but to ask.”
I nodded. The calmness of his voice comforted me, and the warmth of his hands seemed to melt my chills. He held my fingers gently, though his presence gave me strength. Perhaps when I was ready, I would tell him what had happened, but now was too soon.
“Was there anything else you wanted to talk about?” I asked.
He surprised me by growing quiet, his face drawn and detached as he stared out over the witch’s mountain, toward her lair. “Yes,” he said. “How much do you know about this thief?”
“Nothing. I only just met him. Fan’twar must trust him somewhat, or else he wouldn’t have hired him.”
Kull nodded. “I can’t decide if I trust him or not.”
“Why not?”
He shrugged. “I don’t have a good reason. It’s more of a premonition, I suppose. But I feel he’s hiding something, though I don’t know what.”
I’d learned not to doubt his insight when it came to judging people, as he had an uncanny ability to read others.
“Do you think we should try to steal the staff without him?”
“No. If we’re to break inside the dragon’s lair and survive, it would be wise to have someone experienced along with us. Plus, he did agree to defend me earlier. I think for now, we have no choice but to trust him. Still, I will be wary of him.”
A breeze gusted past, carrying with it the woodsy scent of his hair. He squeezed my fingers gently as he gave me a playful grin.
“I missed you,” he said.
“I’m pretty sure I missed you more.”
He leaned forward and kissed me gently. My heart fluttered with excitement at the feel of his lips on mine, and heat rushed to my cheeks as the kiss deepened. His hands wandered to my back, and he drew me closer to him. I threaded my fingers through his hair, my chest tight as I let him draw me closer to him.
But I couldn’t get the image of Theht out of my head, of her powers manipulating me as I destroyed the world—and as I killed him. The image of Kull lying dead at my feet stirred such a powerful reaction inside me that I had to push him away.
He eyed me. “Are you all right?” he asked.
“Yes.” I gave him my carefree smile. “I’m fine.”
“You’re sure?”
I only nodded, feeling as if a hole had opened up in my chest. Here he was, mine again, and yet I couldn’t get close to him. I would’ve laughed at the absurdity of the situation if I hadn’t felt on the verge of tears.
“I have to admit,” he said, taking my hand, “I did question whether or not you would return.”
His words stirred a strange emotion. Was it fear? I held his hand tight, wanting to tell him what had happened to me in the cave, to tell him that soon I would kill us all. But how could anyone admit such a thing?
“You don’t wish for me to kiss you?” he asked.
How could I answer? “No—I mean, yes, I do. It’s just that…”
A loud cough came from nearby, and Kull released my hand. One of his guards stood behind us. The guard, a wiry guy with shaggy hair and a large Adam’s apple, bounced on his toes as he spoke. I hoped he was good with a sword. Otherwise, I saw no reason why he’d been assigned to protect the Wult king.
“Yes?” Kull demanded.
“I thought you would like to know, your sister has arrived.”
“And you felt you needed to tell me this now?”
“Well, yes. She’s been injured.”
Kull’s eyes widened. “Injured?”
He nodded.
“Where is she?”
“At the inn. She just arrived.”
Kull stood abruptly. “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?”
He cleared his throat. “Well, you…” he darted a glance at me, “you were occupied.”
Kull growled,
