Page 100 of The Last Guardian

Despite the comfort I felt with him, something unlike anything I’d ever experienced, I fought it. Because this moment, the intensity of his gaze, the emotion deep within my soul, was far more intimate than anything I’d ever felt. Something I’d spent my entire life running away from.

Something so dangerous, so alive, that it could annihilate what little remained of my soul.

Instead, my hands found his, our fingers lacing together, the mere contact tightening my core.

An emotion shone through his gaze, one I didn’t dare name, but the intensity made me feel completely exposed, as if he could see me beneath every layer of guilt, fear, anger, and sadness.

Nobody had ever tried to reach that far before—to the real me.

His hands tightened around mine, his thumb caressing the inside of my hand in soft, deliberate strokes, exploring every available inch of my skin. Each small movement sparked waves of heat throughout my body.

I suppressed the urge to move closer, and when his gaze drifted to my lips again, I closed my eyes, fighting every cell in my body not to lean in—to surrender to this pull between us.

Throughout the night, his thumb never stopped tracing my skin, and I let his caresses soothe me to sleep.

For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt at peace.

WE REACHED CAMP two days later, welcomed by the sounds of crashing waves against rocks. The smell of the sea tickled my nostrils, salt settling on my skin.

The storm didn’t stop during our overnight stay in Calenth. The next morning, we rode until thunder rolled late in the afternoon, forcing us to make a final stop at Ade’s inn, where we were fortunate enough to have the same room, with two separate beds. Although I’d gotten a good night’s sleep the previous night, it was better not to be so close to Zaidkiel. I needed to stay focused on why I was here and not let any attraction distract me.

It had been so long since someone had given me an ounce of affection that my body ignited every time he was near me. It was complete madness, right? A survival instinct urged me not to let that happen. Not after what had happened with Nevan. If a man I’d known for years was capable of being like that with me, why wouldn’t others?

Even though I had this deep feeling that Zaidkiel wasn’t like that… I just couldn’t. That night at Ade’s, temptation wasn’t even a threat because he returned to the room after I was already sound asleep.

As soon as the sun rose in the sky, we were back on the road. Over the past two days, tensions between Zaidkiel and me had subsided. We hadn’t mentioned the late-night chat, where he shared a piece of himself. A quiet strain on both parts had settled between us. A part of me was relieved with our new normal because being entangled with him made no sense at all.

But another part of me—the wild, reckless part I’d embraced before Mother died—wished otherwise. And I wasn’t sure what to do with it.

As the sun was setting, we finally passed the first of the camp’s tents. The storm had tossed some, but most had withstood the rain and wind. Zaidkiel’s horse continued on its way to the camp when a figure waved to us at the entrance.

Dax. His hair was tucked in a bun, welcoming us with a bright smile on his face.

“How was the trip?” The general grinned. A sparkle shone in his gray eyes, his hoarse voice evaporating in the wind.

Zaidkiel passed a hand through his silk hair as he said, “Interesting.” With a glimpse my way, he quickly averted his eyes before saying, “Where’s Nefeli?”

“She managed to take control of the house and get rid of the remaining lieutenants,” Dax announced, glancing between us. “She actually secured rooms for you both. Many soldiers lost their tents during the storms, so they’ll stay on the ship.”

“Great.” Zaidkiel nodded, his fingers tightening on the horse’s reins. “How many Surani and Noxari will come to Perygan with us?”

Dax’s eyes lost their spark, tightening along with his muscular jaw. “Not enough.”

“Fuck,” Zaidkiel muttered, pinching the base of his thin nose. “I’m going to walk Alyana to the house.”

My heart stumbled at the mere sound of my name on his lips, rushing the blood in my veins. What was wrong with me?

Zaidkiel cleared his voice, flexing his hand as he deliberately didn’t glance in my direction. “I’ll meet you on the ship after,” he said to Dax. “Bring as many lieutenants as possible.”

In a simple gesture, the commander rushed his steed to resume walking, mine following its track closely.

The wind swirled around us, sand whirling in mist on the golden mountains as we made our way to the house, passing by the camp to access the docks. We reached a narrow boardwalk, leaning toward a house carved in a mountain.

The moment we stepped inside the house, a flash of dark lightning stormed into the room. “Finally!” Nefeli breathed a sigh of relief. “I was worried sick about the storm. You were supposed to arrive two days ago!” In a moment, Nefeli’s mood shifted as she jumped on me, her arms curling around my neck. “I’m so glad you’re here,” she breathed into my neck, her black hair playing on my cheeks. “With him, we never know what kind of trouble we are getting into.”

My breath hitched.

“Let her breathe,” Zaidkiel groaned.