Page 46 of The Cost of Blood and Bonds

“The moment I got close to you yesterday.” His words come out sharp, almost pained. “He didn’t like that, did he? And this morning, whatever he said to you, it was about me.”

I don’t answer.

We’re moving faster now, closer, until we’re practically on top of each other.

“It’s nothing,” I say, but it sounds weak even to my own ears.

“No?” He catches my wrist mid-strike. “Then why does it feel like there’s something going on?”

I catch his wrist in return. We’re locked together, both breathing hard, with our faces inches apart.

Those deep green eyes bear into mine, and something hot and unwanted coils low in my core. Why does he have to be so fucking handsome.

“Stop pushing,” I say, my voice low.

“You’ve been pushing me away since the moment we met.” His eyes search mine. “Tell me you don’t feel this. Tell me I’m imagining it.”

I don’t say anything. The answer is lodged in my throat, because the truth is I’ve thought about this, about him, more than I’ll ever admit. And right now, with him this close and his fingers still locked around my wrist, I don’t trust myself to speak. Because what comes out won’t be a denial. It’ll be something desperate and honest, and I’ll never recover from it.

“That’s what I thought,” he says softly, like my silence was all the answer he needed.

“You have to stop, Ryewood.”

His eyes burn. “I can’t. Trust me, I’ve tried.”

My grip tightens before I realize I’m still holding him. His pulse hammers beneath my fingers. Or maybe that’s mine.

“Ryewood, I⁠—”

“Gemma, don’t.” His voice breaks.

He pulls back, releasing my wrist, putting space between us like it hurts to breathe the same air.

“I need water,” he says, not meeting my eyes.

Then he’s gone.

It takes me a moment too long to remember where I am.

I feel the shift before I turn. Guards have repositioned themselves for a better view, the Davriks are pretending not to watch, and conversations have gone flat around us.

Fuck.

Finn’s gaze finds mine from across the yard, concern warring with warning.

This wasn’t private and it wasn’t subtle, and everyone saw it.

Chapter 15

Gemira

The training yard empties slowly, bodies filtering out in clusters and conversations fading into the distance.

I need to move and breathe and get out of my own head before something else slips. Keeping my distance from Ryewood is getting harder, and I’m running out of excuses for why I keep failing.

I see the stables, and I take the path down the hill, away from the yards, letting each step pull the tension loose.

The horses shift in their stalls as I pass, and one dips its head toward me like it’s expecting to be fed.