And his son… shudders ran through me. Somehow, Remington was even worse. I didn’t think all Death Elves were evil, but I knew those two were the worst of the worst.
And maybe, by helping Xander, I could do something about it. That thought filled me with a sense of rightness. Iknewthis was the right course of action.
For a very long moment, I held Xander’s gaze. It was as though the two of us were the only ones in the entire world as we stared at each other.
Daegal cleared his throat. “Well,” he drew out the word like it was an entire sentence. “This is… awkward. I’m going to get ready to go.”
I nodded slowly, never removing my eyes from Xander’s. “Okay.”
Once the Fortune Elf was out of earshot, Xander spoke slowly. His eyes were glued to mine. “You want to… help me?”
“Yes,” I replied, nibbling on my lip. “The last few days, the soldiers… I don’t want to run anymore, Xander. I want to help. I think I can be useful.”
And wouldn’t that be an amazing thing?
A small smile graced his lips as his golden eyes studied me.
“Okay,” he said. “Welcome to the team.”
He held out his hand, and I shook it. Sparks flew between our hands and I sucked in a breath. Xander’s mouth parted as his gaze dropped to where our hands were joined.
Did he feel it too?
I parted my lips to ask, but before I could do more than inhale, Xander released my hand. He moved swiftly around me, walking to where Daegal stood with the horses. I followed, my thoughts still centered on that spark.
When we were in front of the horse, a pair of warm hands landed on my waist. Xander’s voice was gruff as he asked, “Are you ready, Sunshine?”
I nodded, my heart beating strangely at Xander’s proximity. He was so close. I could feel every inch of where his hands touched me. They seared into my skin, those large hands on my hips.
He was far too close. And yet, not close enough. I wanted to grab him, to press myself against him, to push him away. I wanted so many things.
A moment passed that felt like an eternity as I fought a battle against myself. Every time we grew closer, the lines between us became more muddled. Blurry. Everything was confusing.
Swallowing the lump that had appeared in my throat, I whispered, “I’m ready. Let’s go.”
“Your wish is my command,” Xander said. His grip on my hips tightened as he lifted me onto the back of the nearest horse.
I forced myself to ignore the way my insides twisted as he spun me around. The saddle was large, but clearly not meant for skirts like mine. I straddled the beast, spreading my skirts so I could hold the reins in front of me.
“This is Stormflier,” Daegal said as he rejoined us atop his own horse. He patted the horse’s black flank, leaning over and adjusting his position on the horse. “And you two are riding his brother, Thunder.”
“Hmm,” I murmured. I was incapable of any other words because, at that very moment, Xander decided to join me on Thunder. He swung up into the saddle behind me in a fluid movement of a confident horseman.
The male responsible for all my confusing feelings leaned forward. If I’d thought he had been close before, I had been wrong.Nowhe was close. His chest pressed against my back, and I could feel the hard ridges of his muscles as his breath tickled my ears. “I hope you’re ready to travel, Sunshine. It will take us at least a week to reach The Pines.”
“I’m ready,” I replied. My voice was calm, and I was grateful it didn’t betray the way I was feeling inside. I was incredibly aware of every single part of his body as it pressed up against me. My nerves felt like they were on fire, and it was because of him. His proximity.
Gods, he evensmelledgood. How was that possible after days in the forest?
Sucking in a deep breath, I wiggled in the saddle to find a more comfortable seat. I shifted my bottom, huffing at the burn that was already making itself known in my legs.
Beneath me, Thunder whinnied and stomped his feet.
Xander blew out a long breath. His voice sounded oddly strained as he said, “I quite agree.” He leaned in close to me, his arms reaching around to box me in as he grabbed the reins on either side of me. “If you would do me the favor of no longer wiggling your ass,wife, this journey can begin.”
A dozen questions flew to the tip of my tongue, but before I could voice them, Ifeltthe reason for Xander’s discomfort. It was pressing up against my lower back, and as he shifted, the movement sent a jolt down my spine.
Hewantedme. That much was clear. He might not have liked me very much, but he wanted me.