Page 45 of A Warrior's Heart

Ervin sighed and stood up. “You two should just fuck already and be done with it.”

A surprised giggle escaped my lips. Nereus gaped at me before doing the same to Ervin.

“You’re mistaken,” Nereus said. “I do not want his cock anywhere near me, less he wants it chopped off.”

“You wouldn’t be able to handle my cock anyway,” Shar countered, keeping his gaze pinned to Nereus. “I would fuck you until you broke.”

Tea drizzled from the corner of Nereus’ lips. He slapped a hand to his mouth and swallowed the drink before coughing.

Shar’s eyes gleamed as he focused on the dagger in his hand.

“They’ve returned,” Ervin said, nodding to the mountain pass.

My relief at seeing them was quickly replaced with worry. Lorcan’s hand was wrapped with a torn strip from his tunic. Blood seeped through the cloth.

“Are you okay?” I asked, rushing forward.

“Yes.” Lorcan regarded his palm. “My blood was needed for the ritual, but the cut is shallow. Nothing a healing salve and time can’t fix.”

“Sit down,” I said, nodding to the log he’d been sitting on earlier. “Eva gave me medicine before we left the ship. Wait here while I get it.”

My satchel was in the cave, so I ran that way. The oil lamps allowed me to see as I scrummaged through my belongings for the containers of tonics and salves. I grabbed a bundle of cloth to wrap his hand before searching for the salve that looked like piss—it really was easy to remember that way—then I dashed back outside.

Lorcan explained to us what happened as I cleaned his wound.

Alek watched me work. With his powers, he could’ve done a better job than me, but I was grateful he’d allowed me to help. Other than occasionally hunting for our meals, I hadn’t been much help to anyone so far during the journey.

I hated feeling so useless.

“At least now we have an idea of where to look for the trident,” I said, tying the wrap on Lorcan’s hand and closing the top on the healing salve.

“Yes, but the sea is endless,” Alek said in a distasteful tone. “We would have more luck finding it on land.”

“Have faith,” Lorcan said to Alek, laying his head on his mate’s shoulder. “If not in the seer’s message, then have faith inme.”

Alek nuzzled the top of Lorcan’s hair. “There is no one I believe in more than you.”

“I’ll show you to your sleeping quarters,” Phantos said, heading toward the cave. “Unless you prefer to sleep under the stars.”

I glanced up at the sky, never seeing anything quite like it. The full moon radiated a comforting silver glow, and I breathed in the warm night air. However, the beauty of the stars did little to stop my trepidation of being out in the open.

I missed the safety of Avalontis.

“Come,” Malik said, holding his hand out to me. “We’ll sleep in the cave.”

“I don’t recall saying you could give me orders,” I muttered, placing my hand in his and letting him pull me to my feet.

“And yet you obey without a fight.” Malik tugged me closer to his chest. Our fingers threaded together. My heart skipped a beat as I stared up into his eyes, his warm body pressed to mine. Indecision clouded in his expression before he frowned and stepped away, taking that warmth with him. “We will leave at first light. Make sure you rest well tonight.”

“Mal.” I snatched hold of his wrist.

Lorcan, Alek, and the others walked past us, leaving us alone by the dying fire. The night was quiet. Dark. And the hour was late. Yet, a flame burned inside me. One I couldn’t ignore any longer.

Malik’s back straightened before he faced me. The hard set of his eyes was so familiar… but even in the dark I saw softness shining through them.

“We need to talk,” I said, sounding more confident than I felt.

“About what?” His jaw tightened.