Page 25

Gods, I’m mesmerized by the sight of him. Admiring his muscled features distracts me from the wicked flames.

Darian rises to his feet from across the group and strolls toward Cole. The group stills in anticipation. Cole watches warily, but his posture doesn’t falter or shift into one of defense.

Darian pours his flask into Cole’s mug, eyes trained on him in a silent challenge. “I like the way you try, Red.”

Cole narrows his eyes, raises the mug, and downs the entire thing in a few gulps. A satisfied exhale slips off his lips. “Thanks.”

Darian stares for a long moment with a venomous grin, before turning and slipping away from the group, disappearing farther into the camp. The rest of the squad eases, many of them smiling, laughing, and resuming their conversations.

Archie, who’s sitting next to Cole, wraps an arm around Cole’s neck. “Our fearless leader! Someday, I wanna be you when I grow up.”

Cole shakes his head with an embarrassed smile, murmuring as he playfully pushes Archie. The two of them drop into a hushed conversation when Daeja peers out through my hair, chirping.

Cole flashes a glance my way, and I duck behind the wall. Glancing sideways at Daeja, I hold a finger to my lips, and she slips back into my cloak. They couldn’t have possibly heard her, could they? I dare another peek and meet Cole’s gaze.

I freeze.

He flinches, the color in his face drains, his mouth parting open.

Shit, maybe this is a bad idea.

Archie jabs his elbow into Cole’s side, prompting him. Cole shakes his head, scattering his red hair. Unable to tear his eyes away from me, Cole pats Archie’s shoulder with a few mumbled words, and then walks in my direction.

My pulse spikes, and my plan for what I’ll say or do escapes me. Panicking, I dart back toward the forest.

I slip behind a tree and turn my focus to Daeja sitting on my shoulder. “I need you to understand me. You have to stay quiet. You stay hidden until I bring you out. Or we’re both dead.”

Her white eyes blink, and she bumps her forehead against mine.

Shuffling leaves whisper nearby, and I hurriedly tuck Daeja back behind my hair, securing my hood over my head. Edging around the tree, I catch a glimpse of Cole blundering through the forest, scanning the darkness through squinted eyes.

“Psst!” I hiss.

He stumbles, whipping toward my direction and eyes rounding as his gaze settles on me. “…Kat?”

I drift closer, stopping at an arm's-length from him.

Hesitantly, I reach out to touch his cheek. Surging relief and longing constricts my throat. My mind races with all the things I want to say: I’m sorry. I love you. All the ‘I shouldn’t haves’.

But I start with one word. “Hey.”

He leans his cheek into my hand, and I brush my thumb over his soft beard. His strong, calloused hand wraps around mine, his lips blooming into a sad smile. Taking my hand from his face, he kisses the back of my hand.

He breathes. “I miss you.”

Sadness, longing, and heartbreak fill those three words.

I take a half-step closer to him, and a sweet, metallic scent wafts over me. Daeja’s claws sink into my shoulder, reminding me I’m pushing my limits. This close to him, and I’m fighting against my desperation to touch him. To kiss him. Gods, and those incredibly warm eyes…

He sways too far to the left, and I catch him before he can fall.

“Are you...okay? Are you drunk?” I correct his stance back to a straight position. “Where are you staying?”

He points erratically in one direction, his intoxication now obvious. Looping my arm around his lower back, we return to the outpost. His focus shifts over to me with a lazy grin every few steps, his balance slipping and he nearly tumbles forward. I palm his chest, steadying him and praying he doesn’t fall.

“It’s been one hundred and forty-two days since I’ve told you how beautiful you are,” he slurs out.

I side-glance at him. Clearly, he’s too drunk for counting.