Page 35 of Healing Elixirs & Wicked Crows

"You have this way of making me murderous," I muttered, then immediately regretted the harsh tone."I cannot seem to put that rage behind me so soon after your life was threatened."

The truth, but not the whole truth.I couldn't tell her that every threat to her felt like a dagger to my own heart, that watching her nearly drown had awakened something primal and possessive that terrified me.

"Is this about the kiss then?"she asked.

Even the forest seemed to hold its breath waiting for my response.I turned away, unable to look at her."This is not about the kiss."

Liar, my conscience whispered.Everything is about that kiss.About how right it felt, how wrong this deception was becoming.

"We need to hurry," I said instead."We need to get to the next available spot to find shelter for the night."

She looped her arm around mine as she sketched, and I stole glances at her work.Each drawing captured the flowers with near-perfect likeness, but I found myself studying her face instead, the way she bit her lip in concentration, how her brows drew together when she was thinking.

She's an artist, I realized.All these years, and I never knew she could draw.

When she put away her journal, her steps slowed.She picked up an acorn, studying it intently before letting it drop.Her fingertips traced the bark of trees we passed.

"Rosemary," I said softly."Are you all right?"

She nodded curtly without meeting my eyes."I'm just thinking."

I reached out to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear, my fingers trailing against her cheek.She flinched at my touch, and I quickly pulled away.

She's building walls, I realized with growing dread.Every deception, every half-truth, every moment I don't tell her who I really am, she feels it.

"I'm sorry about the kelpie," I said quietly after walking in silence for hours."If there's anything you need to talk about..."

She shook her head stubbornly.Our silence stretched as we walked, and my mind wandered to thoughts of our past, of a future I was planning to destroy, of my resolve to give her more than I could offer.

We found shelter beneath a massive willow tree.When we stopped, Rosemary leaned against the trunk, tilting her head back to stare at the branches above.The small wrinkle between her brows revealed the war within her mind.

"Please talk to me," I said, not taking my eyes off her as I lowered my pack.

Finally, those brown eyes met mine, filled with hurt and confusion and something else, anger that boiled just beneath the surface.

"What?"she asked, her voice cold."Do you really think I have nothing better to do than engage in conversations about feelings?"

She stomped toward the nearby lake.I followed, worried as night approached.I found her sitting by the shore, feet in the cool water.

"I just want to help," I whispered, my fingers twitching to tangle in her hair like I used to do.

"Well then, maybe you should realize you're not exactly helping," she hissed, turning her back to me.

"I know I've disappointed you," I said to her hunched shoulders.

When she spoke, her voice was quiet but steady."You didn't have to try to kill it."

Understanding dawned."Yes, I did.It tried to kill you.You may have no concern for your wellbeing, but I do."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

I leaned forward until our noses nearly touched."It means, princess, that you care nothing for your own safety and put others before yourself.Always."A sudden thought occurred to me, and despite everything, I smirked."I don't think the kelpie is why you're really upset."

Her cheeks reddened, confirming my suspicions.

"I think what you're really upset about are those dreams you had last night," I said, bringing my fingers to her hair, letting a piece curl around my finger."The ones where you moaned my name.Several times."

She swatted my hand away, scoffing."You wish."