Page 206 of Ashborne: Defiance

All the men could see it. Whether they wanted her, or not.

They stared, and smiled, and teased.

There was a very real risk that I would punch someone soon.

I tore my gaze from her and returned it to the room, only to once again collide with the impenetrable happiness of Donavyn and Bren.

I actually groaned.

“Too many sweets?” Gil asked slyly.

I turned to retort at the same moment Jhoare leaned into Grace’s ear and pointed at something. The tendril of her hair fluttered from his breath, and the urge to plow a fist into his face was so overwhelming, I cursed and turned on my heel.

“Worse than that,” I said, uncaring if Gil decided to tell everyone I’d shit myself. I had to get out of here. I had to leave. If I tried to stay hours longer, I was going to hurt someone.

Probably Grace.

My brothers stared at me, stunned, as I marched for the door, boots clicking on the slate floor, heart thudding in my chest.

‘What’s happened?’ Kham interrupted me before I’d even left the hallway outside the ballroom.

‘Nothing, I just couldn’t stay in that room.’

‘I can feel your disquiet.’

‘I’ll be fine if I can just get some fucking silence and solitude.’

‘But, Grace—’

‘I know, Kham! I said, I’ll be fine. You stay with Koa, and watch over Grace here. I’ll walk out. I’ve eaten until I’m stuffed. Pick me up after the dinner hour. I’ll still sleep in the stable.’

Kham sighed. ‘Are you certain?’

‘Yes.’

Then I closed my mind to get some fucking peace.

~ GRACE ~

Voski stalked out of the room like he was offended. No farewell. No explanation. Just gone. He’d greeted me briefly at the wedding, and stared at times. But avoided me, then barely spoken all day.

It felt like my heart followed him out the door. And the dancing hadn’t even started.

The moment he was out of reach, that drumming began in my chest again. The ache. The longing.

I shouldn’t have drunk wine. I’d only had one glass, but I hadn’t eaten and there was no other explanation for the sudden thundering in my heart, the sheer desperation.

I tried to watch Bren and Donavyn. Tried to remain in my joy for them. But my eyes began to pinch, and my breath was too short and shallow.

I couldn’t stop thinking of Voski. And the pressure that had squeezed my heart since the moment Koa chose me, became a tug. And then, as panic fluttered in my lungs, like the draft horses that drew the heaviest carriages, it grew in a slow, inexorable pull.

I wanted to wail. Why did he always flee my presence in sunlight? Yet showed such tenderness and care in the dark?

Then I wanted to slap myself. The man had every right to want to be alone! He was probably sick of my presence. Sick of broken sleep, and having to offer soothing words to a weak trainee. Sick of sleeping in the uncomfortable, narrow bed.

He left specifically to escape me.

No doubt, when he stared at me, it was because he saw a child. A little sister whom he must watch over. And here, finally, he could leave me to the protection of others.