A nother nightmare overruns any restful sleep I could have had that night. This time, it’s about Hune.

He’s being chased by the Abacae, but I’m restrained by iron, unable to move. I’m repeatedly struck with the thought that if I had warned him, maybe he would have been prepared.

By the time the floating mystic light lightly raps on the windowpane, I’m wide awake after fitfully trying to get any rest. I rub my temples, willing away the imminent headache. As I wash my face, I find myself engrossed in thoughts of Ridge. It’s hard to ignore that I’m eager to see him, even if it is to go stand in the bitter cold and summon my power.

When I exit the bathing chamber, the balloon of delight in my chest pops to find Laz waiting there. I chew on my lower lip, looking up at his large frame. Every man in this damned cave is obscenely large. His icy eyes never stop scanning the halls, like he’s anticipating an attack at every turn.

Must be exhausting.

“Good morning, Aledrya.” He smiles, offering me an arm. Utterly oblivious to my dismay.

Placing my hand on his forearm, we snake down the hallway to the dining hall. “Good morning, Captain ,” I tease, wondering how I can ask where Ridge is without appearing dejected.

“More snow fell last night,” Laz says blandly, dodging a guard patrolling the halls. The patrol nods in our direction before scurrying past. “Do you have another coat you would like to bring? ”

“Don’t need it,” I answer, breathing deeply when the smell of coffee hits my nose. “Perhaps if I’m cold enough, I’ll be forced to summon fire.”

We cross into the dining hall, and I split ways with Laz momentarily to get a plate of food and a cup of the heavenly coffee I’d smelled. The chefs have brewed a fresh pot, and I enthusiastically accept the large stoup they offer. The male gives me a knowing smile as he hands it over, his sizable round frame taking up much of the counter. His soft eyes remind me of my youngest foster brother, Eon. A pang of worry settles in my gut, wondering if he’s safe. If he’s still in Torrent.

The hall is empty again this morning, but I absentmindedly select the table our group usually holds. Laz joins me, sliding into the opposing chair.

“Fascinating that you can only summon fire and darkness.”

“Is that uncommon? How many do others typically have?” I cock my head, my raised eyebrows wrinkling my forehead.

He plucks a toothpick from his plate, eyeing me as he places one end of it between his teeth. “Everyone is different. You seem incredibly powerful, so only having two primary powers would be surprising.”

I rationalize what the others have told me thus far. “They are two pretty intense powers.”

He smiles, despite my slightly defensive tone. “If you say so.”

Fusing my lips together, I let my fork clang to my plate. “I’ve only seen you summon any kind of power once. Are you even capable of lesser powers?”

A rattle on the table. When I glance down, my stoup of coffee is gone. Snapping my eyes up to meet his, there’s a wicked grin on his face. Clasping his meaty paw around my cup.

“Every Fae is capable of mystic lights and Unblocking doors. I don’t bore myself with such tasks. Now, play nicely.” He plucks the toothpick from his mouth, raising my coffee mug to his lips. “You’ll get your coffee back when you apologize.”

I shift to lean back in my seat. “I will do no such thing. ”

He promptly gags, pulling a face at the beverage. “This is atrocious. It’s basically milk .”

I open my mouth, but quickly clamp down on the words as Ridge enters the hall, his long strides eating up the distance to our table.

“Where were you this morning?” I question, looking him up and down with scrutiny.

Laz turns, still holding my coffee in his hand. “She is very temperamental this morning. Also, we should have the healers look at her head straight away, she considers milk to be coffee.”

I say nothing, but throw a wry look his way.

Ridge stares down at us, skepticism lining his face. “Based on the burning of Aledrya’s hands, I get the sense there is more to the story.”

Glancing down, I notice my hands are indeed enveloped in flames. “Sorry,” I mutter under my breath, dropping the fire power.

My coffee cup appears in front of me on the table, clattering from the movement. I glance up at Laz, who is smiling like a cat. “An unusual show of decorum,” he croons, interlacing his fingers behind his head.

I arch an eyebrow, looking up at Ridge. “Can we do this without him, or—” My words are cut off when the world rips out from under me without warning. The biting cold stings my lungs, the Pass below still dark and sleeping.

“You were going to suggest leaving Laz?” Ridge says, rolling his shoulders. His casual tone doesn’t quite meet his eyes; I can’t help but notice something darker seems to linger there. “Your wish is granted.”

“Why am I not dizzy?” Unlike when Deah dispatches us, I don’t feel at all disoriented.

Ridge scowls at me like I’m mud stuck to his boot. “Some of us have more experience with dispatching and don’t sling people through the universe. Now summon your powers so we don’t freeze.”

“You can move through the universe?” I probe, squinting at him.

“I can go wherever I like.” There’s a glint in his eye as he leans against the side of the mountain .

I smile back at him, tilting my head to the side. “Could you go fuck off, or would that be too difficult for you?”

The world rips away from me once more, but now we’re in the Pass, snow and wind angrily whipping at my face. The Pass offers no protection from the elements, while we still remain high enough in altitude that the cold is biting.

“That was highly unnecessary!” I shout over the wind, but Ridge remains unruffled by the intense weather.

“I grew bored of your procrastination.” Lines of displeasure form on Ridge’s face. Even from a few feet away, his considerable frame has him peering down at me.

Of their own volition, my feet inch forward. “It’s freezing down here. Take me back up.” Fists balled, my nails sting my palms.

His jaw sets, the muscle at the corner of it twitching. “No.”

“What could I have possibly done to make you agitated this morning? You didn’t even show up until after breakfast.” Figuring this male out is looking to be a fruitless endeavor; one moment he’s kind and the next he’s pulling this shit.

“You know, Aledrya,” he remarks, glancing skyward. “In order to upset me, you’d have to have any kind of power over me. Last I checked—”he brings his predator-like gaze to me—“you can’t even summon your own power.”

“One could begin to think that you’re an asshole simply for the sake of being one.” I return his harsh words from the other morning; tension still coiled throughout my body.

He angles his head to the side, my blood pressure spiking with that maddening movement. “You could save yourself from freezing to death, but you won’t.”

“Can’t,” I correct.

He smirks. “ Won’t . You can, you’ve done it before. Drop the despondent act and use your power.”

His words draw blood. “I’ve had about enough training with you. You’re cruel, and for no damn reason.”

In an instant, he’s inches from my face. “If you think this is cruel, it proves me right. You’re weak,” he growls, showing me those sharpened canines .

“You know what, Ridge?” I lean in, meeting his dominance with my own. “I think you’re the miserable one. Perhaps I’m lost and a little na?ve about things, but it’s clear you enjoy making other people as unhappy as you are.”

His gold eyes turn feral, sending goosebumps skittering along my skin. Power travels through my veins, tingling at my fingers. “You think because we’ve spent a little time together, that means you know me?” He snarls, and I repress the urge to back up. “The only part of that little speech you had right was that you are na?ve, Aledrya.”

My mouth feels dry, my eyes sting. His words had inflicted their intended damage. “Then go, Ridge. I don’t need you. You don’t need me.” I swallow around the lump lodged in my throat. “Why are you even still here?”

Ridge leans back a bit, smiling. It’s anything but pleasant. “Because I’m curious if you’re the lost cause I believe you are. I’m waiting for you to prove me right.” He narrows his gaze, smirking. “We both know you’re too helpless to be here. You should head back to Torrent, where you belong.”

The leash on my control snaps in two.

There is no second guessing as I tackle Ridge to the snow. I know in my heart he allows me to take him to the ground, there is no way even a surprise attack could upheaval him.

Powers collide, mine against my skin, reacting to the force that lies within Ridge. It’s an effort to keep it contained, fire and something sinister battering my bones, looking for an escape.

Looking for a way to get to him .

We sprawl out on the ground, but he cinches my wrists, rolling with ease and pinning me to the frozen earth. “Let go,” I order through clenched teeth, but they chatter with adrenaline.

“If only you could learn discipline, you could make me instead of begging for it.” He leans in, eyes burning with intensity.

I release the suppression on that tingling power. The burning sensation takes over as flames shoot out from my fingertips, narrowly missing Ridge as they jet across the Pass. He releases my wrists to move off me, and I seize the opportunity. Bringing my leg up, I slam my knee into Ridge’s groin, and he dispatches a few feet away from me with a low growl.

With distance between us, I get into a fighting position, drawing on my power and forming a fireball in my hand. I savor how easily it comes. Ridge stands to his full height, already unaffected by my assault.

The fireball forms faster than the last time I created one, the heat so wickedly concentrated. It takes all my effort to keep it locked in place in my palm; the fireball gravitating toward Ridge.

“I won’t miss twice,” I promise, releasing the fireball.

Ridge snatches it from the air with his bare hands, studying my coruscation. He eyes me before closing his fist, effectively eviscerating my fireball. Not even ash remains.

“Ah, how unexpected. Another failure.”

It’s possible I’ll explode with rage, and suddenly I’m grateful he brought us to this secluded Pass. I have a lot of unfocused resentment and zero control.

“Don’t you have anything better to do with your time than instigate me?” Launching at him, I aim for his knees, which he deflects with ease.

“Gods, who has been training you in combat? Novices?” he taunts, dispatching and reappearing behind me.

Pivoting, I snarl at him and attack his right side, swinging at his ribs. He doesn’t even move to hit me back, only deflecting my movements with an infuriating deftness.

“Watch your mouth.” My voice rises so loudly it echoes down the narrow Pass.

“Hm, so you can stand up for something.”

I know my discontentment is driving my movements, because I’m getting sloppy. “What is that supposed to mean?” I bare my teeth at him, swiping for an ankle with my toe. He meets my move though, grabbing my foot and sending me flat on my back. He pins my hands to the snowy earth on either side of my head. The damp cold seeps into my clothes—into my bones—but I’m numb to it .

“Not the first time you’ve been bested in that maneuver, love.” Panic swells at being ensnared to the stiff ground; the earth beneath me so frigid it now burns.

Darkness envelops us, my fear taking over and summoning an all-consuming black hole. This time, I can see Ridge despite the dark.

He peers around us, as if he sees something I can’t. “Get ahold of your emotions, Aledrya.” His gaze lands back on me. His rough hands still clasp my wrists, I can feel every callus from his years of sparring and slinging swords. “I may be a discourteous ass. But tell me, why do you still crave my approval?” He leans a bit closer, his eyes dipping to my lips. “Why do you pretend you need saving?”

His words sink in, but it doesn’t assuage my bitterness. “I bet you’d love to be the hero who pulls me from this black hole.”

The idea of Ridge being anything other than the villain was laughable.

He ignores my barbed words. “Force me to release you.” Those piercing gold eyes burn through me, challenging me.

The only thing I have against his size is momentum. I sling my arms down to my sides and buck my hips at the same time, offsetting his balance. My arms fall as I jump away, stars exploding in front of me. I stumble back, lifting my arm again to marvel at the stars falling from my hand, turning to glittery dust.

Looking up, Ridge is watching me with ferocity. “Look at that. In the absence of light, you made your own.” His face is softer now, arching a brow at me.

Reaching inside, I feel a dark rope dangling. Curiosity gets the best of me as I tug on it. An effulgent burst of stars erupts between us, shimmering gold levitating like a scintillation of stars. It twinkles at me as if it sees me; showing me what lies under the thick veil of darkness.

Valiance.

I imagine grabbing that rope, this time murmuring a different command to it. The darkness evaporates upwards, shimmering dust going with it.

I’m grieved to see it go.

I straighten, the sun breaking against the tree line .

“Turns out you didn’t need anyone to pull you out of that black hole,” Ridge drawls, the delight in his eyes reminds me of that glittery dust.

For once, he doesn’t look irked by my mere presence.

Pointing at a fallen branch from one of the few trees in this Pass, I will it to engulf in flame. With a crackle, it begins to burn a bright orange, flames flickering in the wind. My fire obeys without an inkling of anger.

The heat radiating from it is intoxicating.

Ridge smirks at me, and with a twist of his hands, the flames burn out. Always there to balance out my power, or ignite it. He keeps his eyes fixed on me even as the last speck of ash ceases its relentless smoldering.

The goosebumps I feel have nothing to do with the rush of cold, and everything to do with the male standing in front of me.