Page 13

“ W hy are we out here?” I twist toward Lamond. It’s been a few weeks since our tense argument in the bar, and try as I may to forgive and forget, the resentment still lingers between us.

I’d mainly trained with my group the last few weeks, falling into an intense training routine that left me exhausted every night. Sleep had been so deep the last week, dreams evaded me; including nightmares.

I had only summoned fire accidentally once since then, when Artemis and I had been attempting a landing at the Overhang. We’d missed two attempts, my temper flaring on the third. Gredian had danced nervously until Artemis and I extinguished ourselves. By the gods’ mercy, I hadn’t summoned darkness again.

The barren cliffs behind us are coated in snow. We have all of twenty feet to the sharp drop off to the valley, and I can tell without peering over it that I’ve never been this high up. The air feels thin here. Crisp. I refrain from hugging my arms around myself to ward off the cold. My measly coat is not doing enough to fight off the temperature.

“It has been weeks and still the Major has not assigned anyone to train your power.” Lamond’s face is as stoney as the mountain wall at his back. “While you may not want me to train you, I’m capable of supervising so you can practice summoning.”

A deep thump from behind Lamond has us both pivoting toward the noise.

Artemis perches gracefully on a ledge above us, leaning forward menacingly, head angled.

I’ll end him the second he angers you, she threatens .

I snort, earning a glance from Lamond. I hope he enjoys the remaining three minutes he has left, then.

Lamond leans against a dead tree nearby, the bark peeling away from the trunk. “Go on, then.” He gestures toward the open area, giving me an unimpressed look.

His curt attitude with me this morning was beginning to grate. When I stepped out of my room this morning, he’d been there, scowling. There was no explanation offered as he dragged me from my routine and into the biting cold.

Artemis snaps her beak loudly, and I shoot her a look. Quit distracting me. I see plenty of goats down the mountainside.

Do not tempt me with lunch.

Go. I leave no room in my voice for negotiations, so she spreads her wings and drops down the mountainside. Snow billows under the wind of her wings, and I try not to gawk at the sheer beauty of her red and orange coloring against the harsh white snow.

“Quit procrastinating,” Lamond barks.

“Is there a looming deadline? A war perhaps?” I question out loud, not making eye contact and instead looking out across the evergreen landscape as Artemis floats to the Pass below.

From the corner of my eye, I note him stiffening. “Not likely.”

Liar. I can feel it in my bones. I don’t know what I expected. He clearly prefers keeping to himself.

Facing the open skies, I take in the crisp mountain air. A puff of my own breath clouds my vision before swirling upward and drifting off into the Above. The day is overcast, pillowy clouds lingering after dumping fresh snow on the mountain peaks last night. I focus on my fingertips, trying to draw on any kind of power I possess.

Nothing comes. I reach for every emotion I possess, even trying to relive the vehemence I felt when I threw the darkness, but no power flickers. We’ve been out here so long, the sun is encroaching on the final phase of its lazy path toward the horizon .

Dread drops into my gut. I’m useless to my own power.

A heaving sigh from Lamond. “Perhaps we should call it a day.”

“No,” I answer firmly. “I need more time. You can go, if you’d like.” This mountain never feels alone, it doesn’t frighten me to be out here on my own.

He snorts. “I am absolutely not—” He clamps his mouth shut. I feel the shift in the air at the same moment.

A chill passes through me; the hair on my arms standing up as a dizzying sensation creeps over me. The feeling is damned intoxicating.

The world goes still for a moment. Birds quiet, the wind dies out. Out of thin air, a large framed man appears at the opposite edge of the cliff. He brushes off his shoulder, as if landing in such a place has somehow soiled his all-black jacket and fitted black pants. Stomping his black leather boots, he scoffs at the snow.

My heart stutters, stuck on a beat.

Ridge.

As he approaches, my breath lodges in my throat at how menacing he is. I find myself enthralled in his handsome face, that silver hair framing tanned skin. He is only a matter of feet from us now, and I finally notice his crystal-like gold eyes. I’d known he was beautiful that day in the dining hall, but seeing him striding toward us has me near drooling. Not even my fantasies had done the male justice.

Shaking myself from the trance, I snap my attention back to Lamond. His expression is soft now, an earnest smile stretching across his face. The expression looks foreign on his harsh features.

The angelic male reaches Lamond, his gait somehow both unhurried, yet full of purpose. “Apologies for my abrupt entrance. I wasn’t aware this entrance was in use.” His commanding, deep tone snatches what little breath I have left from my lungs. His eyes never leave mine, even as he addresses Lamond.

“Ridge,” Lamond laughs, a wild grin breaking across his usually stern face. I must be hallucinating. I carefully wield my face into an expression of indifference as Lamond claps Ridge on the shoulder. “Guess it’s been a while since you’ve been out here, you seem to have forgotten this is where we practice summoning with Novices who need more guidance.”

“Ah, I won’t keep you two from it then.” Ridge smiles slightly, but his jaw sets at Lamond’s words. My numb toes dig into the soles of my boots to the point of discomfort at his attention on me. As his gaze leaves my body, I feel even my organs becoming chilled.

He’s so tense, it’s like his muscles could snap at any moment. I find myself wondering what those muscles would feel like under my fingers.

Lamond lightly punches Ridge on the arm in a brotherly manner. “Coming to debrief on preparations?”

Preparation for what, I’ll never know. Irritation flares, my power becoming very interested in coming out to play.

“I have a meeting with the Major today.” His response is gravelly, and he brings his attention back to me. “It’s impolite to stare at someone before introducing yourself, you know.”

My eyes narrow, and I allow the fire in them to flicker. “Simply assessing if you are someone I should be introducing myself to, or incinerating.”

Humor flashes over his face, but it’s gone so quickly I think I may have imagined it. Something about him makes me want to drift closer, to reach out and touch his prominent jawline.

“Oh, I am definitely someone you should incinerate. However, let’s start with introductions.” He flashes his teeth as he speaks, his canines slightly pointed in an animalistic way.

“Aledrya,” I supply drily.

His stare somehow becomes more intense, assessing me. I refuse to shift my weight, to look uneasy. “I see.” He returns his attention to Lamond. “I need to get to the boardroom, but if you’d like to walk with me, we could discuss numbers.”

Lamond begins to answer, but I don’t let him get the words out. I don’t know why, but Ridge’s presence is making me feel feral with power .

“It is pretty damned impolite to not introduce yourself,” I spit out, using his words against him, despite the fact that I absolutely know who he is.

He smirks, as if knowing. “Lamond said mere moments ago my name is Ridge. Were you not paying attention despite your gape-mouthed staring?”

Power rumbles in my chest, and I inadvertently let it escape. The burning from the eruption of my fire singes a dead tree jutting out from the edge of the mountain above me. I feel so drawn to Ridge, my power itches to get to the surface.

Feeling the flame settle at my fingers, a ball of ember fire builds in the palm of my hand. I release it, unable to clamp down on the pressure.

The fireball I let slip away blasts a full twenty feet above and to the right of the two warriors. Lamond reacts, throwing up a shield around him and Ridge; but Ridge doesn’t blanch at my power.

His golden eyes never leave mine. “How interesting,” he murmurs, before turning back to Lamond.

I scoff, feeling my cheeks heat. “I wouldn’t call a ball of fire interesting.”

He rolls his eyes at me, one corner of his mouth ticking up. “You’re right,” he muses, rubbing his jaw. “ Accidentally launching a fireball at someone is quite unremarkable. It would indeed be quite daft of me to deem your slipup noteworthy.”

I can feel the temperature rising across my cheeks.

Lamond shoots me a glare, so I fuse my lips together before I can rightly tell him to fuck off.

Is that what you actually want to tell him? Artemis purrs.

Semantics.

“Right,” Lamond interjects, his voice as tight as his posture. “You’ve met Aledrya. Ridge is quite an important part of the Ravels, so he is to be respected .” He punctuates his sentence by clearing his throat, so I offer him a forced grin.

“I mean it. No more fireballs,” Lamond chastises, slicing his hand through the air between us. “Am I clear? ”

Folding an arm across my middle, I hinge at the hips to sketch a dramatic bow. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

When I straighten, Ridge meets my stare. There’s a flash of amusement on his face before it’s replaced with a bored expression.

Lamond's face goes rigid, clearly put off by my jesting. “Since we’re done with the flame throwing portion of this lesson, we should get out of the cold. Aledrya, you need to get something to eat before the dining hall closes, and Ridge has much more pressing matters to attend to.”

The men turn back toward the wall of the mountain, aiming for the entrance hidden in the corner. Falling in step behind them, I tell myself I’m obeying orders not because of Lamond, but because food was mentioned.

He was right, I’d missed lunch, and creating that fireball had left me famished.

The pair takes up most of the path back under the cliff's edge, both men twice the size of a normal male. I walk a short distance behind, close enough to hear bits and pieces of their conversation.

Close enough to examine the rippling back muscles under Ridge’s fitted shirt. My mouth waters, so I force my gaze lower.

Oy, can’t look there either.

Ridge is speaking, keeping his gaze ahead as the two men stroll into the Caves’s corridor. I tilt my head to the side, straining to hear the words; pretending to study the stonework along the walls instead of the immaculate male in front of me.

Lamond grunts something in response, and I bring my attention to their backs again. Not even my improved Fae hearing can decipher the words. Something about resources is being murmured between them as Ridge shakes his head. Lamond throws a quick glance back at me, as if ensuring I’m not listening.

I quicken my pace, trying to quiet my breathing so I can pick up on what they’re discussing.

You are not so covert.

My feet scuffle across the stones as they come to a halt. What the Beneath ?

You’re screaming your thoughts at me. Did you honestly think you were being stealthy, trying to listen in?

Get out of my head, I order, his dominating size be damned.

“Will your bark ever have any bite? Come up here and make me,” Ridge growls, spinning on his heels. I had not realized how close I was now following, and I almost lose my footing trying to avoid impact. Straightening, I glare up at Ridge. His gaze drifts down toward my hips, and I flush with heat. “Now that is fascinating.”

Glancing down, I notice the flames beginning to dance at my fingertips. Steadying my emotions, I force a breath out; the fire winking out with it.

Ridge says nothing, he simply watches me, his face an unreadable mask.

I can see Lamond peering at me over Ridge’s shoulder, a silent plea on his face. Lamond is shorter and smaller than Ridge, which seems damned near impossible considering how imposing Lamond is. Ridge’s scent hits me, and I’m consumed by the smell of cedar and citrus.

Abovesake, I need to focus.

Clearing the air would be a good start. I force a smile. “Would you care to escort us to the dining hall?” I ask, accidentally brushing his arm as I gesture toward the hall. A fiery rush of adrenaline floods through my system, and I jerk my arm away.

If Ridge notices, he doesn’t react.

“You’ve been here for how long, and you’re not able to get yourself to the dining hall?” he asks, his tone dripping with skepticism.

My pulse races, my mouth hanging open. “Forgive me for thinking you were a gentleman.”

Ridge quirks up an eyebrow, still watching me with cruel amusement. “Whatever did I do to give you that impression?”

My eyes widen, I can barely repress a laugh. “I suppose you’re right. You’ve been an asshole since you arrived.”

“Aledrya.” Lamond sounds pissed, but I can deal with him later. “The man is an accomplished leader and like a hundred years old—”

“I am not one hundred years old ,” Ridge interrupts, looking over his shoulder at Lamond. His scowl would likely send most fleeing. But it has the opposite effect on me.

Ridge returns his focus to me. Leaning in slightly, his voice drops lower. “Watch your mouth, it’ll land you in hot water eventually, Aledrya.” Retreating a step, he glowers at me one last time before vanishing without another word. Even after he’d gone, his presence leaves me breathless.

“Irritating male,” I mutter to myself, ignoring the hammering pulse in my neck. Lamond is at my back, I can feel his simmering rage without even turning. I turn to face him, if only not to give him a coronary. “Personal space isn’t really in your wheelhouse, is it?”

“You are not even remotely interested in learning who you’ve offended?” Lamond asks me tightly, the corridor feeling more cramped than ever before.

“Saying no has never deterred you before,” I mumble. We make our way back into the dining hall, finding the large space empty. Lamond stays close as I make for a table, and I can’t help the prick of irritation at his constant hovering. He slides into a seat across from me, brown eyes fixed on me.

“That was Ridge,” he grunts, fiddling with his jacket.

“Yes, believe it or not, I did know that.” I can’t temper the sarcasm in my response. The hurt from what he said to me is still fresh, the insults still replaying in my mind. His repeated apologies feel a lot like bandages when the wound desperately needs to breathe.

Lamond pinches the bridge of his nose, like he always does when I’ve agitated him. I’m beginning to wonder if permanent indents will appear soon on either side of his nose. He balls his other hand into a fist on the table.

“He leads our forces, Aledrya. You need to respect him. He could end you with a half of a thought.”

“How is he so old?” I ask, ignoring his remark.

“What are you talking about?”

“You said he’s like a hundred years old. He appears much younger. ”

Lamond studies me for a moment. “Do they teach nothing on the other side of that damned Wall?” I allow the confusion on my face to be my answer. He sighs as if I’ve defeated him. “Fae are incredibly long lived. When they come into their full power, they stop physically aging.”

I chew on my thoughts before speaking again. “So, the markings appear when Fae first summon power, but the aging process stops once the power is done developing. What kind of power does Ridge have?”

Lamond glares at me, and I stanch a returning scowl, only because I want him to answer. “As much as I would love to sit around and discuss Ridge, I have better things to do.” There’s an edge to his voice that wasn’t there before.

“Is he spoken for?” I cock my head, knowing that my question will fluster him.

Lamond becomes incredibly still, dutifully goaded. “No, he’s not tethered. Why are you asking me these questions?”

I ignore his question just like he does mine, instead focusing on the detail Lamond let slip. “The Fae can tether to other Fae ?”

Lamond pulls a face. “Yes. It’s usually between very powerful Fae, a way for the gods to ensure they reproduce equally formidable offspring.”

I slump in my seat. Learning all these broken bits and pieces is exhausting. “Gods, there is a lot to this.”

“I’ll be right back,” Lamond says, standing. I wave him off, laying my head on my forearms on the table. Less than five minutes pass before he returns, two trays of food in hand. “You need to eat. You’re cranky when you’re hungry.”

This feels like a peace offering, however pathetic it is. “I don’t want to meet a person who doesn’t get cranky when hungry. Or Ridge when he’s hungry.” Although I’m curious what he’s like when he’s truly agitated.

A visual pops into my mind that I don’t want to attempt to dissect.

Lamond tries and fails to suppress a smile. “Ridge is alarmingly in control of his emotions, but you’re correct. The man is a crotchety bastard when he’s hungry. ”

I bite into my food, still thinking about the way Ridge’s gold eyes had driven me mad.

I still feel the heat of his gaze, the way my power had pulled toward him like it had an agenda of its own. The touch of his skin felt so similar to the tingling flame that lives in me; a steady warmth that feels alive.

I chew the bread, the heavily seasoned meat, but taste none of it.

Because Ridge is still there, every uncouth comment playing on a loop in my mind. His handsome, rugged face, and that fleeting flicker of emotion, peeking through a mask of boredom. Everything about him burrowing into all of my thoughts.