Page 101 of The Bound Blood
It’s her.
Lindsay deserves someone unbound. Someone who isn’t a political blade sharpened by centuries of tradition. Someone who isn’t walking her toward a betrayal the realm demands.
Because the betrayal is coming, and it will be from me.
Now, I watch her laugh at something Tamsin says. Nolan relaxes. Raiden softens. And I’m sure even though I can’t see him, Kael is somewhere close by. He’s always around her, watching her as much as I do.
Idiots. All of them.
Idiots who will shatter if I fail.
I push off the stone archway, jaw tightening. If I’m going to break her trust later—better she never gives it to me now.
THIRTY-SEVEN
NOLAN
The night is calmerthan it has any right to be.
No rustling in the trees. No flicker of shadow where it shouldn’t be. No pulse of wrongness in the Veil.
Just Lindsay walking beside me, the lantern light catching in her hair, and the soft rhythm of our footfalls along the warded path.
Honestly? I’ll take it. After everything that’s happened lately, I’m grateful for the quiet.
“You okay?” I ask, because I’ve already checked on her three times and am trying very hard to pretend I’m normal about it.
She glances over, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “You’ve asked me that four times.”
“Have I?” I pretend to count on my fingers. “I’m only at… three.”
She bumps her shoulder into mine, playful and warm. “Four.”
I grin. “Right. Four. I’ll try to keep it under ten.”
“Please don’t,” she says softly. “It’s… nice.”
My chest does something ridiculous. I look forward so she won’t see the way my cheeks go pink.
We walk a little farther, lanterns flickering in the faint breeze, stars scattered overhead like someone spilled a jar of them across the sky.
“You look tired,” I say gently.
She snorts. “I fainted and then ended up in Kael’s room and slept the whole night. I think you’re projecting.”
“Possibly,” I admit with a shrug. “I didn’t sleep much.”
She pauses, turning toward me, eyes warm with worry. “Nolan…”
“It’s fine,” I assure quickly. “I just… didn’t know where you were. And Raiden was freaking out, and Tamsin was muttering about omens and your aura looking weird yesterday, and—” I clear my throat. “Anyway. I’m glad you’re okay.”
Her expression softens in a way that makes my heartbeat feel too big for my ribs.
“Thank you,” she murmurs.
I want to sayalways.Because I will always be here for her, no matter what. But I don’t.
Instead, I try something less terrifying.
