Page 103 of Omen of ice
Daroose’s eyes narrow. “And he told you to leave?”
“Of course not.” Would he have if given the chance? “I was angry and said some horrible things. I stormed off to think.”
Daroose rolls his eyes. “What is there to think about?”
“When this is over—when the link is broken—I have no idea where I’ll be.”
“You’ll be wherever you want. I imagine there’s a certain icy-tempered Fae—”
“It isn’t like that,” I insist. I don’t know exactly what itislike, but it isn’t that. Especially not now. “Valen is…” What is Valen? He’s annoying and cocky and, as Daroose points out constantly, ill-tempered. But he’s also funny. He’s compassionate in a way most humans aren’t—even though he does his darndest to hide it. He’s the first thing that comes to mind when I think of home.
But he also betrayed me. Maybe his intent wasn’t malicious, but it was enough that I’m not sure I can ever trust him again. The right thing would have been to give the tear back. He thinks it would cause a war? The fear might be valid, but with me by his side, I’m sure we could have explained things well enough to stave off a serious conflict.
Liani told me everything…
Unless someone else has convinced him otherwise.
“I need something from you.”
Daroose bows. “Anything—”
“You have to go back to camp.”
“—but that.”
“Daroose…”
He shakes his head. “They got an early start. Left for Ventin hours ago. They’ll beat you there, too. Delkin knew a shortcut.”
“Then shift and catch up to them. I need you to stay with Valen.”
He stomps his foot. “The little Fae is insufferable. Leave him to his kin, and we’ll be on our way.”
“I’m not asking, Daroose.” I never wanted his bridle, and I hate to give him an order, but I need to be sure Valen is safe. I’m angry at him, and I’m hurt, but regardless of all thatandthe fact that our entire relationship is based on a lie, I’ll still honor my duty. “If I’m your master, then consider it a command. Catch up to them. Don’t leave Valen’s side. Protect him at all costs.”
The kelpie’s lips twist into an angry scowl. “And what of you? Who protects you?”
I rest a hand atop my sword and resist the urge to shiver as another, more powerful wave of cold barrels through me. “I can take care of myself. That’s how it’s always been. That’s how it always will be.”
“Why? Why are you doing this?”
I want to tell him my reasons are selfish. I want to insist that if something happens to Valen, I would likely die. But I can’t push the lie past my lips. “I care about him. I don’t want to right now, but it’s not something I can turn off.”
“Have you tried?”
I touch the necklace at my throat. “If something were to happen to me, what would become of your bridle?”
He watches me for a moment. The weight of his gaze is like a rock, dragging me down. “What was wrong with you before we arrived at Vey Brill—it’s getting worse, isn’t it?”
“Delkin gave me something to help with the problem, but it’s gone now.” I swallow back a rush of panic and square my shoulders. “I can’t say with certainty that I’ll survive long enough to break the link.” Saying it out loud is terrifying.
“In the event your heart stops, the bridle will automatically revert to me.” His lips turn downward. “But I don’t want it back. Not like that.”
Good. One less thing to worry about. Valen doesn’t like the kelpie, but he’s grown on me. If nothing else, I’m glad to have been able to free him from his lake. “It’s an honor to have met you, Daroose. It’s been…”
“Illuminating? Educational?” He shimmies his hips and spins in a circle, spreading his arms wide. “Wonderous?”
I step forward and wrap my arms around him, squeezing just once before standing back and smiling. “It’s been fun.”
