Page 91 of When Ashes Fall

“Did Acor plant this tree?”

“He did. After establishing his rule, Acor planted this tree. It was only a seed at the time, but he knew it would grow stronger with every passing year, just as Wildwood would. He had the stones carved and placed around the tree as a reminder we’re far stronger together than we are apart.”

“How lovely. Was he killed during a death matches?”

“He was, but we still consider him our greatest alpha.”

“So every alpha knows that the only way out is death?”

“No, they can resign if they choose, but throughout our history, only two have ever done so.”

“Wow.”

I felt his eyes on me, but my attention remained on the stones.

“Would you like to take a walk with me, Briar?”

CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX

Briar

I gawked at him. “You want to walk with me?”

This time, his smile was sad as he caressed my arm with his thumb. “I think it’s time for us to get to know each other again.”

“Oh,” I breathed as a shining hope bloomed so brightly in my chest that I was scared it might burst out and blind everyone.

Things had been so awful between us that this was the last thing I’d expected. I didn’t realize how badly I wanted to get to know him again until he suggested it. It was easier to be mad at him than to love him.

“So would you like to?” he asked.

The hope in his voice and the look in his eyes reminded me of the first time we met. He’d looked so astonished to see me as he gazed at me across the broken stones and aqueducts of No Man’s Land.

“Would you like to play?” I’d asked, feeling hopeful and vulnerable.

I had no other friends, and the thin boy—with unruly black hair and eyes the most beautiful, clear blue I’d ever seen—looked as vulnerable as I felt. I’d yearned for him to say yes, and when he did, it changed everything.

And now, he was the one asking me. While I remained angry that he’d fucked me and walked out before tossing me over his saddle like a sack of potatoes, I couldn’t say no. All those years ago, he’d taken a chance on saying yes; I would take this one with him.

However, I still expected an apology from him, but I’d already gotten a half smile; I couldn’t ask for two miracles today. If this went well, I’d make my expectations clear. If it didn’t, then we’d most likely be choking each other by the end of the day.

Smiling, I squeezed his arm. “I’d like that very much.”

When a grin lit his face and brightened his eyes, my heart somersaulted all the way down to my stomach. Even if I did end up choking him, it would be worth it to have seen that smile.

You might end up with a broken heart by the end of this day, a little voice warned.

It’s already been broken. There’s not much more he can do to it.

But there was, even I could admit that. His smile had just proven that, as it brought forth more emotion than I would have believed possible a few short minutes ago.

“There’s a waterfall I think you’d like and a river. Do you enjoy fishing?”

“I’ve never done it before.”

“Then we’ll remedy that.”

I felt like I was floating as I grinned like an idiot back up at him. You’re going to end up heartbroken again.