Page 72 of Ravenrose

His gaze settles on me, and oh, if looks could kill…

A shot of adrenaline surges through me. Maybe this is it. He’s so close to the edge. I can practically feel the way he wants to wrap his fingers around my throat right now. Perhaps if I push just a little further… I won’t even have to beg him to do it.

Pretending to let my mask of indifference drop, I reveal exactly what Kent alleged I am: cold and cruel. A wicked smile curves up my face. “Well, that was fun,” I half laugh. “Humans are so gullible.” I add a small, mocking wink for good measure. Curse my soul to the moon.

Ayer goes dangerously still, his fingers twitching for the sword at his belt before he tightens them into fists, fully at war with his self-control.

For a second, I think he might do it.

I stare up at him. A smug look on my face.

Do it.

Kill me.

You know you want to.

Do it now.

Before he finishes dragging me light knows where. Before he can use me. Before he can break me.

He won’t. I see the moment that light-cursed self-control of his wins. The shadows recede from his eyes, and the fury on his face goes cold. My heart drops when he moves his hands away from his belt—away from his sword—shaking his head in disgust while looking down his nose at me.

“I should have known better,” he says before giving me his back, turning and walking away.

Leaving me tied to the pole.

Night has fallen, and with it, a cold wind picks up. I shiver, pulling my knees into my chest in an attempt to keep warm. Pushing away the hurt that bubbles up, how they just assume the worst in me.

They don’t even know me.

I don’t care what they think, I remind myself, tilting my head back against the post and finally allowing my eyes to close.

I’m tired. So tired.

I breathe out slowly, letting my breath even out. I’m just about on the cusp of sleep when…

It starts to rain.

Chapter 34

AYER

Iwake just before dawn and take over watch so Wyatt can get a couple of hours of sleep before we continue our journey.

The village is quiet.

Nadia was telling the truth when she admitted they had stayed behind alone. My men weren’t able to turn up any other human or fae hiding about.

After relieving Wyatt, I make my way to Dash first, brushing a hand over his hide and pulling an apple from my pocket. He nudges my shoulder with a soft nicker before taking it from my palm.

Sighing, I lean back against his warm flank and glance toward the princess.

The anger simmering inside me hasn’t cooled. If anything, sleep has only fanned the flames, forging my rage into something tangible like a sharp blade I only wish I could use to run her through.

And leave her body in an unmarked grave—seeing as how I still don’t know her fucking name.

The little menace is still asleep, exactly where I left her: tied to the post. She’s huddled in a tight ball at the base of the post, trying to preserve what little warmth she can. Her clothes are sodden with mud and rain, her dark hair plastered against her cheeks and shoulders.