Page 82 of The Last Guardian

“Isn’t it dangerous to risk the Void?” I asked, glancing up at him as he looked down at me. “Eirlys mentioned I could fall into the Nulj—” I stopped, my tongue stumbling on the word. “Nuljru?”

A hint of amusement crossed his eyes as I elbowed him in his side.

“Stop mocking me.” I gave him a teasing look.

“Nhulgur,” Zaidkiel said with a grin lighting his face, “It can be a risk if we attempt it back-to-back without rest,” Zaidkiel continued, leading us to a small building with a creaky wooden door. “But I need to see if you will get lost again before seeing Kraktos.”

Zaidkiel’s massive hand curled around the knob, opening into a cozy little inn. A petite, old lady with gray-brown hair in a bun and gem-like eyes sat at the reception, her gaze lost in a book.

A fire crackled in the hearth in the open living room, where guests already sat to dine, the heat warming my freezing feet.

The lady glanced up. Her amber eyes locked with us. Her face lit up at the sight of Zaidkiel. “Oh, the ten have mercy after all!” the old woman cried, jumping up from her chair. In haste, she wrapped Zaidkiel in her tiny arms, tears of joy sliding from her cheeks. “My little lord, what brings you here?” she asked.

Little lord? Had she looked at him?

“And you’ve brought a girl!” The woman’s eyes gleamed as she glanced between us.

My eyes widened, my heart pounding in my chest.

“Oh, she’s breathtaking. Just look at those hazel, doe eyes.”

If the warmth of the place hadn’t already turned my cheeks red, that comment certainly would have.

“Don’t be shy, darling,” the old woman said, nudging Zaidkiel playfully. “By the Ten, do you see how beautiful she is?”

Zaidkiel replied with a drawl, his emerald eyes lingering on me a moment too long, “I’ve noticed.”

My breath caught.

“Please,” Zaidkiel chuckled, leaning against the wall, “give her some space, Ade.”

Zaidkiel didn’t move. The sparkle remained in his eyes when he looked back at me, and the awareness between us tightened until my pulse pounded in my throat.

“Good heavens! Is your heart on the verge of bursting, my dear?” Ade eyed my chest.

I frowned. “Excuse me?”

I glanced at Zaidkiel, who was chewing on his lip with that same irritatingly playful grin. “You’ll get used to it.” Zaidkiel laughed, still looking at me.

What? Arystan had mentioned some species could hear the slightest noise, but I’d never thought… Zaidkiel could hear it too. Oh, Stars, the urge to dig a hole and hide consumed me.

I was so lost in my own mortification that I almost didn’t hear Ade when she spoke. “What are you doing here, my boy?” Ade cupped Zaidkiel’s cheek in her tiny hand.

“We need accommodation for tonight.” Zaidkiel smiled. “If you have anything available.”

“Of course! Follow me, darlings; I’ll show you your room.” Ade beamed, passing us to reach the staircase.

No. Did she say room?

Zaidkiel pushed himself from the wall, the sound of his boots creaking beneath his weight, and leaned closer to me, his breath brushed against my earlobe. “It’s racing again.” Zaidkiel clicked his tongue as he took a step back, and I gazed up at him, his eyes melting into mine for a moment. The air stilled as my heart combusted.

Zaidkiel stepped backward, his back muscles tensing with each step as he followed Ade upstairs.

Calm your damn heart, I ordered myself.

With a deep breath, I walked after them, passing by green and brown tapestries as we climbed. The moment I stepped through the bedroom door, my shoulders loosened⁠—

Oh, thank the stars—it had two beds.