Page 34

“Come on then.”

With no other choice, I follow him to a nearby stream, attempting to ignore him as he removes his shirt, swirling it through the water before using it to wipe at the blood covering his torso.

Corded muscle. Smooth skin. A light scattering of hair. Several scars, that only serve to highlight his beauty.

Even the way he moves is saturated in predatory confidence. When his eyes lock with mine, I glower at him, careful not to allow him to catch my gaze drifting down.

His mouth twitches, and I turn away.

“Are you thirsty?”

“No.”

“Are you sure? I can’t have my captive suffering.”

“If you cared about my suffering, you’d remove these chains.”

“I would if you could be trusted, Madinia.” His voice is almost…gentle.

I ignore him, stalking back toward the horses. “I want to ride my own horse.”

“No.”

I grind my teeth as Calysian follows me, taking my waist and easily hauling me onto his shoulder. With my arms clamped behind my back, I can’t even slap at him.

I’m entirely helpless.

The demon horse snaps his teeth at us as we approach, and Calysian tuts at him.

“Why force me to ride with you?” I grind out.

“We both know that riding with your hands tied behind you would require more abdominal and thigh strength than you currently have. And if your horse spooks, you’ll get hurt.”

His hands find my waist once more and he transfers me onto the saddle.

My teeth clench at the easy way he maneuvers my body. “Then release me.”

“Enough.” Calysian’s voice hardens and he swings himself up into the saddle behind me.

When he leans forward to take the reins, he smells cool and fresh.

“I hate you.”

“Well, sweetheart, I’m currently not too fond of you either.”

My eyes burn at the injustice. If I had a sword in my hand, I’d gut him.

Calysian sighs, his warm breath caressing my ear as he turns the horse, leaning over to take Hope’s lead rope. “It won’t be forever, Madinia. Eventually you’ll decide it’s not worth the fight.”

I snort. Despite our few moments of shared history, it’s clear he doesn’t understand me at all.

But he will.

And so I lead him toward the Aelstow Forest. I gave him a choice. He chose poorly.

Fifty men. That’s what Fliora said. After watching the troll slam into Calysian’s ward over and over again, I’m sure he’s tired. I’m also sure his drugged sleep against the tree couldn’t have been too restful.

Poor baby.