Page 124 of A Thread of Breath and Bone

“Put me down!” I argue, slapping his beautiful chest. It’s my mistake, because it hurts my hand. The muscles below his shirt ripple as Ryker laughs. He insisted on carrying me down the mountain. I let him because not only was I exhausted, but he looked like he needed it.

It didn’t stop there. No, now we’re entering the sanctuary space, and his grip only tightens. “I can walk, Ry. Put. Me. Down.” His lips pull into a smirk when I cross my arms. It's pointless. Fighting against him is like fighting a mountain. He’s immovable.

He hums, his eyes alight with amusement. “I distinctly remember a similar situation not too long ago.”

I refuse to smile or let him win this argument, but my lips twitch all the same. “Last time was different,” I huff

He cocks his head to the side as if thinking. “Is it though?”

I groan and tilt my head back. Relenting, I rest my head against his solid chest, his heartbeat a perfect thump beneath my ear. Carys said I need the rest because tomorrow is the beginning of everything.

I can’t wrap my head around what being Elven even means.

Ryker’s boots thud softly against the stone walkway, the scent of damp caves, bubbling waters, and him—roaring oceans after a storm, fresh citrus groves in morning mist, a hint of warm sandalwood, and something pure male. It’s that scent that constantly leaves me wanting to taste him.

Soft voices drift up from the soaking pools at the bottom of the cavern. Torchlight illuminates our path as Ryker takes the twists and turns deeper into our rooms.

As we pass our friends’ room, I can hear laughter within, and a twinge of jealousy hits me. I wish, for once, I could not be in my position. I never asked for this. I have always wanted a quiet life.

Joke’s on me.

It would seem the fate of the whole galaxy hinges on me and my magic.

Magic.

Gods, how did I get here? Ryker must sense my tension because he stops in front of their door, setting me down with a soft kiss to my temple.

“I think you should grab Kellan and Ciara. I’ll grab Clara and meet back here.” He’s about to walk away when I reach out, my hand wrapping in his before he gets too far. It’s strange not feeling the power anymore. I’d gotten so used to it, but when the Veil fell, it too disappeared.

Ryker pauses, waiting for me. I don’t say anything as I curl into his chest, his strong arms wrapping around me. When I look up, his eyes are already on me. Standing on my tip toes I press a kiss to his mouth and then turn back for the door.

Even without being Bonded, he’s always known exactly what I need. I knock once and enter. He’s right. I do need Kellan and Ciara.

The water bubbles around me, steam clouding my vision as I laugh at Kellan and Ciara. They’ve been splashing each other in the face whenever they disagree for the past hour. The water drips off Kellan’s face.

It took about ten seconds of walking into their living space for Kellan and Ciara to be at my side. Aolyn had stood, but only watched. I wish things were better with her, but I know it will take time. Kellan had taken one look at me and proclaimed we were going to the hot springs scattered throughout the caverns. The main pool is moderate temperature, but the hotter ones, the one we are in now, are located through a network of tunnels, away from prying eyes.

None of us had appropriate swimwear, but when we reached the ground level, the hostess told us to wait a minute and returned with canvas bags, our names sewn onto each.

Apparently, Brynna had seen to it that we not only had swimwear but slippers and robes as well. And did she tell any of us about this? Of course not. She’s a real piece of work. It’s not like any of us asked to be here. Then again, if I had a father like hers, I would probably be bitchy too.

When Ciara stops giggling, I tug her to me, wrapping an arm around her. “Miss you,” I whisper.

Her eyes soften as she wraps me in her arms. “I’m always here for you, Rae. You don’t have to do this alone.”

Kellan scoots closer and I take his hand with my free one. “We followed you here not so we could have a free ride to safety, but to learn and to fight with you, RaeRae. You’ve been taking this on alone, and we haven’t pushed, but I’m pushing. Let us help.”

My lip wobbles for a moment before I nod. He’s right. All of them chose to come. They didn’t have to. Even when we were at school, they stood with us. Ryker and I have learned from our royal positions that we have to do things alone, but that’s not true. We’ve been blind to the fact our friends haven’t left us. They’ve given us the space to figure out what we need.

“Riven said training starts tomorrow. Carys told us on the way back that the Bonding trials are unknown tests from the universe, not the gods. Even if Caelus had wanted to tell us, he wouldn’t have been able to. So for now, we train. Until we are summoned for the awakening.”

Ciara searches my face. “So they’re sure of our lineage? I mean…what if we’re just human? Or our bloodlines are diluted?”

I shrug. Honestly, I don’t know, but a selfish part of me wants them to be like Ryker and me. I don’t want to have to live an extremely long life without them. The idea of it lodges in my throat and burns.

Kellan squeezes my hand. “You know that where you go, I go. If that means becoming one of those weird freaks with pointed ears, then so be it.”

I snort, and Ciara cackles. The tension breaks, and I can breathe again. We stay in the tunnels, moving between pools, daring each other to do the cold plunge.