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Was he truly angry because I pitied Helian, or was he jealous because I loved his brother? I cut him a sideways glare. So we should starve him?
He shook his head, looking away from me. I didn’t say that.
I caught Kaida’s eye, waving her toward me. Ignoring Ash’s grumbling, I couldn’t stop thinking of Helian all alone in a cold cell. “Will you make sure Prince Helian has food and that he’s warm?” I asked the priestess.
“Of course.” She flashed a tight smile then bowed and hurried away. No doubt she didn’t think Helian was deserving of my pity either.
Ash crossed his arms, widening his stance, tension pulsating off his body as he glared down at me.
I released an exasperated breath. “What?”
“He pledged his heart to another,” he said on a sneer, “and yet you still grovel at his feet like a loyal hound.”
Flames of rage raced through my veins, and I pushed his chest hard. “How dare you! You know he’s still my fated mate. That will never change!”
“Tari, I’m sorry.” He reached for me. “I’m just frustrated.”
I slapped his hand away. “So you go straight to insults? You’re no better than Helian.” I winced as the words came from my mouth, for I knew how he’d react, but I didn’t regret saying them.
The wolf flashed in his eyes and fur sprouted on his face. “I’m a hell of a lot better than him!”
I wasn’t sure if his voice was thick from sorrow, regret, or his wolf’s rage. I didn’t care. I needed to get away from him, from everyone. The dark stone walls felt like they were falling down around us. I turned without another word and marched for the ramp that would lead me outside.
“Where are you going?” Ash called.
I waved him off. “Someplace far away from you.”
I didn’t know if I was disappointed or relieved when he didn’t follow, but of one thing I knew for sure, I had to get the hell out of this cavern.
Tari
THE WALK UP THE RAMP took a lot more effort than the walk down. I was straining for breath by the time I reached the top, and I also realized why my mates didn’t follow me, for I felt Isa not far behind, waiting with the patience of a dragoness while I struggled to reach the top. By the time I cleared the temple, I was straining too much from the exertion to take a deep breath. The night sky was lit by a moon that was almost full and a scattering of stars in the cloudless sky. I sensed the wyverns in the nearby trees and wondered if Bea was among them. Would she return to me when it was time to go, or would she remain on this island with her kind? I found a low wall nearby and sat, very aware of two large, deep crimson eyes blinking at me from the shadows of the pyramid entrance.
It was a lot more humid outside than I remembered, and hot, a stark contrast to the cool air beneath the temple, and I instantly regretted coming outside instead of retiring to our rooms. I could’ve been soaking in that large tub instead of here. I blamed Ash for driving me away and not my own foolish impetuousness.
I jumped, waving my hands like I was on fire and cursing when a giant mosquito struck my neck hard. I coughed when I was struck by a strong burst of smoke, but the mosquitoes fortunately cleared away.
Isa poked her head through the cloud of smoke, her nostrils flaring. Everything alright, Goddess? Her voice echoed in my skull like a gong.
“Yes, Isa.” Coughing, I fanned my face. “Just catching some air.”
The alpha wolf is displeased. Her heavy jowls turned a frown as she sat in front of me, her barbed tail curled around her legs like a cat. Does he not find the lodgings and food to his satisfaction?
“Of course,” I answered as I sat back down. “Everything has been wonderful. Thank you. He’s not upset over that.” I heaved a frustrated sigh. “He’s upset over Helian.”
She stretched her long neck, a knowing smile on her lips. Ahh, Fachnan’s spawn.
Irritation punctured my words. “He’s not like Fachnan.” I regretted that I sounded like a petulant child, and I lamented even more that I was always defending Helian. Maybe he deserved everyone’s scorn, but that didn’t stop my fool heart from loving him.
She arched a scaled brow. Isn’t he?
I crossed my arms, a ball of frustration inflaming my spine. “Fachnan is a murderer who sent his dragon army to wipe out Lupine.”
Her eyes widened. The shifter village?
I nodded.
She leaned toward me, her eyes narrowing. Did it have to do with Helian’s half brothers?
