Page 33 of Royal Hunt
I shook my hand out of Ellis’s grasp. “That’s too close! Won’t the fence kill us?”
Ellis tilted his head to the side. “The magick is based on intent. If you touch it with the intent to destroy or escape, then yes. It would kill you. If, however, your only wish is to sleep and be well-rested for the games, you’ll find it quite warm.”
He grasped my hand in his, our fingers entwined. I didn’t protest because his hand was warm for once.
“Do you trust me?” he asked, deadly serious.
Adrenaline shot through my veins and my anxiety spiked. It seemed the only thing I knew to do with him was argue or jest. Serious conversation was awkward and heavy between us.Just answer the question!
Despite his threats to leave me behind while trying to escape, he hadn’t. He could have left me with the nobles, but instead argued to keep me safe with the heirs. He’d rushed blindly toward the boundary to pull me back to safety during the fray. He had to care for me at least a little. Or simply felt obligated since I’d saved his life.
“Yes,” I breathed out, not even realizing I’d said it until he walked us forward, our entwined hands outstretched toward the fence. The closer we got, the less harsh the wind and cold felt against my skin. Our fingertips were inches away from the wooden beams and a sudden moment of clarity came over me. If Ellis was wrong, I would simply die and be spared the indignity of dying in the games.
That was fine by me.
Ellis’s body was warm behind me. His demeanor shifted, and his muscles relaxed around me. He didn’t smell like vomit and drink anymore despite neither of us being able to bathe. There was sweat and another spicy, intangible scent that lingered just beyond my comprehension. The smell of the woods again—of leather and battle.
I took the lead and brazenly pushed our fingers against the wood. A mild jolt shot through my hand, but as Ellis had promised, it was warm. I let go of his hand and pressed both of my palms flat against its surface, then pressed my entire body up against it. If I could warm my limbs then immediately wrap myself in a cloak, then maybe I could capture some of the heat—
“Not for too long or there will be ill effects.” Ellis tried to tug me away, a disturbed look in his eye.
I swatted him away, not wanting to leave. It wasn’t just the ambient heat; there was something about the mild jolt that was intoxicating. It went straight to my core, and my cheeks warmed when I realized why my body was flushing. I turned toward Ellis, my gaze immediately finding his lips. I couldn’t look away.
Ellis froze in the act of pulling me away while I tried to get closer to him. Our heads collided, the sharp pain snapping me out of my daze. I blinked and glanced back at the wall with an odd sense of loss.
“Come here and lay down.” Ellis guided me to the corner of the fence, throwing down a fur. Now that he mentioned it, I did feel pretty exhausted. I curled onto my side facing the wall, and he tossed two more furs over me.
I yawned widely, trying to speak. “T-tell the humans about the wall. Please.”
Ellis scowled, but called out to the triplet closest to us. “Mixen!” I took note of the scar on his cheek, the only thing that distinguished himself from his brothers. I filed it away for later, but the pleasant haze of the magick made it difficult to focus. I rolled onto the other side, pressing my back up against the fence. Ellis crouched beside Mixen for a few moments, concentrating. A few seconds later, the tiniest ember curled on the ground. Mixen shouted something in victory and dropped to his belly to gently blow on it. A small flame grew into a respectable fire, and Mixen clapped Ellis on the back in thanks.
At least I’d be warm tonight.
Viana strode by, stopping when Ellis grabbed her arm. I didn’t catch everything they said in hushed voices. “Prisoner’s Base … game … humans. The wall.”
She stomped away, angry.
Ellis flopped down next to me, facing the fire. He groaned, leaning slightly against me. I reached my hand out and put it on his lower back. He twitched as if I’d punched him.
I was tired of our games of wit. Tired of fighting.
“Just lay down and come here,” I offered, balling my hand in the back of his tunic and pulling. He followed my movements as if I were a puppet master directing his strings, laying down on his back and looking up at the stars. The rips had since repaired themselves in our sky, giving the illusion that everything was fine. That we were just two friends out camping–perhaps on a grand expedition. Maybe even lovers under the night sky.
“Did the other humans manage to get a fire going?” I wondered, and he closed his eyes in defeat.
“Always worrying about other people, aren’t you?” he chastised, not altering his gaze from high above us. He sounded so weary and defeated that I wanted to make him smile again.
“Well, you’re taking care of me, so I’m free to worry about them,” I said casually, opening up my fur toward him as an invitation. I wanted to make sure he stayed warm as well. His face flushed with pleasure, but he still raised a sarcastic eyebrow.
“I don’t need the heat as much, but the gesture is appreciated.”
I held firm. “I don’t think it’s the heat you need.”
His eyes glowed in the semi-darkness of the setting sun. Unable to handle his sudden emotion, I glanced at the fire. Reds, oranges, and yellows danced in a kaleidoscope, the heat emanating pleasantly to where I was lying.
“I feel like a queen already,” I muttered to no one as Ellis slid under my furs with his back to me. I’d never slept at night with anyone before, let alone a prince. Former prince. Whatever.
Ellis felt terribly tense next to me, his shoulders hunched and his spine rigid. I placed my hand on his back, and could have sworn I heard an intake of breath. Not only was Ellis warmer than I was, but I felt remnants of the magickal buzz from the fence. Was it because he was fae? I couldn’t recall feeling this the other times I’d touched him. Or maybe I had, but simply hadn’t recognized the tingling sensation for what it was.
