Page 142 of Daughter of the Serpent

When they had parted, a couple miles from the temple grounds, she had wanted to stop him - wanted to demand the truth. Yet, the firm set of his jaw and the sharp edge in his eyes told her it would have been futile. His walls were firmly back in place, and no amount of pleading would breach them.

Her mind returned to the moment in the glen, the bond they had shared, the door she had seen.

Could it have been her fault? Had she gone too deep, too close? Or was it something more - something she couldn’t yet grasp? And what had he meant when he said he wasn’t in control?

The memories of the fairy grove clung to her, vivid and aching. It had been reckless to stay as long as she had, to lose herself in the pull of the moment, but she couldn’t bring herself to regret it. The way his touch had ignited something raw and primal within her, the way he kissed her and looked at her as though she were the only thing in the world that mattered - those moments were seared into her soul. She had felt things that night she didn’t even know were possible, her heart laid bare, vulnerable yet full. His touch, his gaze, the way he breathed her name - it all burned within her still. Nevermind the connection they had shared through their magic, their bond.

But now, as the temple loomed closer, reality came rushing back.

Her choices carried weight, and the consequences of her actions were just beginning to dawn on her. The connection she had felt, so vivid and consuming, now felt distant, fragile. And she couldn’t help but wonder if she had lost something precious before it even had the chance to truly begin.

Yet, as she broke the forest’s edge, her thoughts came to a crashing halt.

There Haldor stood, leaning against a tree. His arms were crossed, his posture deceptively relaxed, but his eyes pinned her like a hawk finally catching sight of its prey.

Her stomach twisted. There was no mistaking the sharp scrutiny in his gaze or the way his hands clenched and unclenched at his sides.

“Haldor? What are you doing here?” She asked, though she feared she already knew.

“You didn’t come back yesterday,” he said, his tone clipped and heavy with accusation. “Where were you?”

“I was training.” She replied shortly.

“With him.” He growled, doing nothing to hide his displeasure.

“Of course, he is my teacher.” she retorted, arching a brow in defiance.

Silence lived between them until she finally broke it.

“Why are you here, Haldor? Are you keeping an eye on me?”

“Someone has to.” he murmured, annoyance in his tone. “Since you seem determined to risk your life with reckless abandon.”

Her patience snapped, and frustration flared hot in her chest. “I’m sick of this, Haldor,” she spat, stepping closer to him. “You cannot keep doing this - following me, saving me, treating me like a child!”

“Then stop behaving like one!” He barked, pushing away from the tree.

She snarled as she tried to step past him, but he blocked her movements.

“And what do you expect me to do?” he demanded, his voice low and rough. “Stand by while you throw yourself into danger without a second thought? While you throw yourself at - ” He cut himself off, his words hanging unfinished in the air, leaving her to fill in the gaps.

Sylvie’s heart pounded, a mix of anger and something deeper twisting inside her, but she kept her mouth shut.

“What were youthinking, Sylvie?” Haldor’s voice was sharp,cutting through the quiet. “Sneaking off into the forest with him alone?”

Sylvie met his gaze, her defenses rising instinctively. “It was nothing. He is only preparing me for what’s to come.”

Haldor scoffed. “That’s not what it looks like, and you know it.” He stepped closer, his eyes narrowing as he searched her face. “Could you really be this naive?”

She glared at him, her stance unwavering.

“I don’t trust him.” He circled her, burying her in his shadow.

“Well Ido!” She retorted.

“Then you’re a fool. Do you truly think Axel has your best interests at heart? He’s using you, Sylvie. Whatever game he’s playing, it’s not to help you. You are falling for his trap. He’s a wanderer - who’s to say he will ever have a home, a woman! He will leave you after this is done.”

“You know nothing, Haldor.” Sylvie shook her head in frustration. “You don’t know him like I do.”