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Kage and Asger visited the smokehouse in search of jerky and food for the rest of the journey, since it might soon be longer than anticipated, while Gwyn, Cy, and I purchased a few glittering spools of thread to brighten up our cloaks and gowns at home.

But as though drawn to Kage like a moth to its flame, the moment he abandoned a smokehouse, I looked. I watched. Through a gaggle of young elven tossing a leather ball over the head of another playmate trying to catch it, I studied his movements, his aura.

Hell, it was no wonder I chose to sacrifice my blood to the tree rather than ridding the worlds of Kage Wilder. He was the most captivating man I’d ever seen, both mortal and magic. Even clad simply, hardly regal, in a gray tunic, belt lined in hunting knives and herb pouches, he was like a hero from the fairy tales of childhood.

Kage and Asger paused at a cart of bone jewelry, almost mage quality. No mistake, it had found its way here through endless trade caravans between realms. Asger studied a pair of earrings shaped into a wild blossom while Kage caught me in his sights. He winked, and took a step.

Where I stepped, he mirrored.

I faced a plate of spiced fruit, grinning as Cy stuck out his tongue to test it once, then promptly clapped half a pouch of our onyx coin on the trader’s stand to purchase the lot.

When I looked for Kage again, he was gone.

I scanned the crowds, a little petulant my ogling was interrupted. When I spun around, my heart quickened. Kage, slier than a shadow, stepped from around a shop corner, arm around my waist.

“Who were you looking for, Wildling?”

“No one of importance.”

He yanked me tighter against his hard body, drawing his mouth close. “Liar.”

Before Kage could kiss me, wings fluttered overhead.

Cy snatched up his wrapped chopped fruit, darted out into the open, and whistled. In moments, Hakon’s dusty wings came intosight. The hawk landed on Cy’s meaty shoulder and nibbled at his ear, clicking his beak.

Cy nodded and handed the bird a strip of trout jerky.

“Well?” Kage folded his arms over his chest.

“Arjax was found and has sent a response. He knows how to offer us basilisk venom. He is willing to give us what we want.”

“What’s the price?”

“No price.” Cy leaned into Hakon again as though he’d misunderstood. “Seems to be the way of Arjax and his people—they give and offer for the betterment of life.” Cy hesitated. “Perhaps it is time you start believing in fate, my stunning prince.”

Kage sneered. “Why is that?”

“To take the time to go to Sepeazia, then to the Wildlands for the venom caused us fears over the length of our journey. Arjax, a man capable of aiding us in the feat, tells Hakon he is currently camped on the shore of the Wildlands. Exactly where we needed to be.”

“We’ve been to the Wildlands,”I said, pressing a kiss to the side of Kage’s neck while we ate a gamey roast in the tavern.

“You remember.” He flashed me a grin and tore off the top of his roll, handing me the golden bread like it was an instinct.

My pulse quickened. The tops of rolls were my favorite, and even in the mortal realms before fancy meals, I’d sneak a few of the homemade rolls off my foster mom’s baking sheets, rid them of the tops, and return the softer bottoms.

I tilted his chin toward me and pressed a soft kiss to his mouth.

Kage smirked when I pulled back. “What’s that for?”

“You.” I traced the edge of his ear until a throat cleared.

Gwyn wore a look of annoyance, her wine halfway to her mouth. “If you two are ready, we can continue planning our journey.”

“We must make the meet quickly.” Kage dropped a hand to his darkened ribs.

The very reminder left me wanting to scream and claw and tosstables. Small steps were leading us closer, yet the inky veins reaching for his beautiful heart were cruel reminders it might not be swift enough.

“Arjax made it seem as though it would be ready upon our arrival,” Cy said. “I suppose all we must do is not offend the serpents.”