Cassie paled, and I regretted worrying her. Lunging after them, I caught my sister up in a tight hug. “I’m sorry to cut this short,” I murmured into her hair. “I promise we’ll celebrate your bonding properly.”
She flashed me a trembling smile and nodded. “It’s okay. Thank you so much for today, I will never forget it.”
I gave her one more quick squeeze. Alex lifted her into his arms, placing her astride Coal, and shimmied up behind her. Ryker scooped me up a heartbeat later, and I scrambled onto Arrow’s back, trying hard not to hyperventilate. He vaulted up behind me, and gripping the reins, urged Arrow forward. With a loud shriek, she sprang into the sky, and I tightened my knees around her.
Ryker leaned forward, pressing me low against her back, probably to make sure I wouldn’t slip off again. “Do you think it was an animal?” He asked, his lips brushing my ear.
I shook my head, trembling in his arms. No matter what Alex believed, I knew differently. I’d gotten the same feeling right before Ryker had tried to kill me the first time.
23
Truth and Deception
Breathinghard,Ipacedback and forth in front of the roaring fire, lit torches outlining our camp. I glanced at the open tent not far off, and could just make out the sleeping form of my sister on the only occupied cot. I was glad she was getting some rest, but I was still unable to shake the feeling of being watched.
“Kaleah, please calm down,” Alex begged, sitting on one of the logs edging the fire pit. “Riling yourself up over probably nothing isn’t doing any good.”
“You think I don’t know that?” I snapped, spinning toward him. “But what if I’m right?”
Alex pursed his lips and shook his head. “Who would have followed us? If it were one of Lilitha’s guards, don’t you think they would have shown themselves by now?”
“How should I know?” I threw my hands up. All I did know was that somethinghadbeen watching us, and though only the memory of the feeling remained, I was haunted. I glanced around the clearing, only then realizing we were alone. “Where’s Ryker?”
Alex shrugged. “He said he was going to scout the area; I’m sure he’ll be back.”
I wasn’t so sure. His earlier words about not staying, blared in my mind, and my breath hitched. Sin. Snatching up one of the torches, I tripped toward the tree line.
“Kaleah, it’s dark. You can’t go out there—”
“I have to find Ryker.”
Alex shot up, grasping my arm and turning me back toward him. “Kaleah. Listen to yourself. You’re the one going on about something being out there, and now you want to waltz off into the forest alone in the middle of the night, with no weapon?”
“I still have my poisoned dagger.” I ripped my arm out of his grasp, knowing I was being irrational but unable to think sensibly with the fear gripping my heart. Ryker couldn’t leave, not yet, not without saying goodbye.
“Kaleah—”
“Didn’t you just say there’s nothing out there?” I lifted a brow in contempt.
“What if you get lost?”
“I can see the fire for miles in any direction.”
Alex scowled, but backed off. “Can’t say I didn’t try.”
“I promise I’ll be fine,” I threw over my shoulder as I marched deeper into the surrounding woods and hoped I wasn’t lying.
Somewhere nearby, theswooshof wings sounded, followed by the screech of an owl. Gulping, I drew the dagger from the sheath on my belt and tried to calm my racing heart. Cold wind brushed the hair from my face, and I inhaled, letting it clear my lungs and head.
Stepping over a knot of twisted roots, I lifted the torch higher. “Ryker?” My voice came out barely a squeak, and I cleared my throat. A pair of small yellow eyes danced in the firelight before blinking, and the creature scurried away. Moving further into the recesses of the forest, I continued scanning the surrounding area. Shuffling issued from the undergrowth to my left, and I spun, heart in my throat.
Something bowled into me from behind, and arms wrapped around me, a hand smothering my scream. I struggled against my assailant, dropping the torch in the process, and it flickered out as it rolled through the dirt.
“Princess?”
I froze at the sound of Ryker’s voice.
“What the hell are you doing here?”