Page 24 of Veiled By Smoke (The Nature Hunters Academy #5)

“I promise. Two words that to most people simply mean ‘if I can, then I most likely will.’ And even then, it’s only if it’s not an inconvenience to them.

But to me, ‘I promise’ is binding. There is no changing my mind.

There is no deciding that the promise was something more than I could give.

It is absolute. Which is why I so rarely use those words.

I don't throw them around carelessly. But sometimes, I simply have no other choice than to make such a vow, no matter the price.” ~ Ra

R a felt the tug in his chest before he heard the echo of Viscious’s voice.

He sucked in a deep breath as he felt the darkness that lived in him, rose up to meet that of the dark fire king’s.

A pull, like a burning hook, threaded through him, yanking him from the edge of peace and plunging him into a storm.

It was the kind of magic that left an aftertaste: bitter, metallic, with the oily residue of someone else's will. He forced his face to remain unchanged regardless of the fact that he was shocked to hear the dark fire king’s voice in his mind.

But the surprise only lasted for a moment.

What was more important was the fact that he knew he had no choice but to meet him.

If Ra didnt’ want to be looking over his shoulder for the rest of his life, he’d have to hear what Viscious had to say.

In the hour since Aston’s call, the dragon realm’s headquarters, a portion of the cave that had been turned into tech central, had been a hive of frenetic energy: Aston rapid-fire typing, Rory pacing and muttering, Gabby and Liam verbally and physically sparring (because she was finding too much glee in riling him up about Aston’s geeky hotness), Shelly’s laughter floating above it all like sunlight on water, Tara attempting to control her best friend, and Elias planning the order in which they would carry out the searches for Aurora.

But Ra felt none of it. Not truly. He was too aware of the compulsion blooming just beneath his skin.

Ra stood off to the side, a blue glow from several computer screens filling the room, along with the fire sconces on the walls and the fire in the hearth.

It was warm, despite the cold winter air just outside.

His eyes were planted firmly on the floor as he considered what he needed to do.

He glanced at his phone, and saw the time, he didn’t have long before he would have to leave.

Without saying a word, Ra slipped out of the main room and headed down one of the short halls that would take him to the private space he shared with his soul bonded.

The cool air smelled of minerals and the faint, ever-present tang of dragon magic.

Every sound seemed sharper, every heartbeat louder.

He needed space. He needed to breathe without the weight of family and fate pressing down on him.

He didn’t get far before he heard the unmistakable sound of Shelly’s light steps on the stone. He stopped, jaw tight, and waited for her.

Shelly didn’t bother with subtlety. She strode up, arms folded, chin tilted in that way that dared the world to fight her.

The light from a cluster of glowing crystals in the walls caught the gold in her hair, casting tiny sparks across her cheeks.

“You planning on brooding all night, or did you just need to practice your dramatic cave-walking?”

He let out a low, humorless laugh. “Would you believe both?”

She stepped closer, her presence a comfort and a challenge.

“Ra, talk to me. I can feel it. Something’s wrong.

” Her voice softened, the snark melting for just a second.

“You’re not alone, remember? We’re in this together.

And while I know discussing your emotions isn’t exactly something you enjoy, I need you to try. For me.”

He led her to their alcove, a hollowed-out chamber tucked behind a curtain that gave some semblance of privacy.

Inside, thick, woven blankets laid out on a stone ledge served as their bed.

It was surrounded by a battered trunk full of their clothes, a small bag of snacks that Shelly had begged the Crimson school headmistress to bring when they’d first arrived in the dragon realm, and two mismatched lanterns with their magical flames casting golden pools of light.

Familiar, grounding. But tonight, the space felt smaller, the walls closing in with the weight of what he had to say.

He stood with his back to her, running a hand over the rough stone. “Remember the offer Viscious made me, that I didn’t take?”

She nodded, her teeth worrying her bottom lip.

“When I talked to him, he told me that he could see the darkness in me. He said there was no way I could have found him unless I had darkness in me. Apparently, that part of me has allowed him to be able to contact me.” He tapped his temple.

“In here. He told me before if I didn’t take the bargain he’d kill me.

A few minutes ago he spoke into my mind, telling me to meet him.

He has a new bargain to strike, or he will hunt me until he finds me.

” He didn’t have to say ‘and kill me’. That was pretty freaking obvious.

“I don’t have a choice. I have to meet him and face this head on.

I won’t live our lives looking over my shoulder.

” He stared at her, daring her to challenge him.

With Shelly, it was a toss up. He was never really sure how she’d react to him giving an ultimatum.

But it was something that he actually like about her. She kept him on his toes.

Shelly didn’t gasp in fear, or break down into tears.

Not his strong mate. He could feel her determination through their bond with each of her footsteps toward him, quick and certain.

She pressed her palm to his back, steady and warm.

“Like you said, he told you he’d kill you, so we knew it was coming.

We just didn’t know when. At least now we’re not waiting for the other shoe to drop. ”

Ra closed his eyes. He could still feel the psychic echo of Viscious’s glee; the sick thrill of a predator who’d finally gotten a taste of blood. “He wants to see me tonight. Whatever bargain he has, we both know what happens if I break my promise.”

Shelly’s fingers dug in, not enough to hurt, but enough that he knew she was there, anchoring him. “You’re not going to hell, Ra. You’re the best man I’ve ever known. If there is a lesser-deserving person of eternal damnation, show me.”

He turned, meeting her eyes. There was a storm in his chest;: rage, guilt, fear, all swirling together; but for her, he’d try to put it into words.

“I am guilty because of the sins of my ancestors. It is my actions that set me apart. Which is why you know I can’t break it, Mery.

Not without damning myself, which would separate me from you, and that is unacceptable.

I am what I am, a man of my word, even when that word is forged in blood and desperation.

” He tried for a smile, but it felt wrong on his lips.

“I would do anything for you, be anything for you, but I can’t break the magic. Not even for you.”

Shelly rolled her eyes, but her grip softened.

“You don’t have to break it. You just have to outsmart it.

And if there’s anyone who can find a loophole, it’s you.

” She bumped her shoulder against his, a touch so small, but something he allowed few to have the right to do.

Shelly touched him freely now because of the trust they’d built in their short relationship, and he relished every one, no matter how small.

“Besides, you think I’m going to let you go off and face that overgrown fire hazard alone?

Please. And, do you think I’d let you go to hell alone? ”

There was no way he would be letting Shelly anywhere near Viscious, but he wasn’t about to argue with her right now. He was too busy taking a moment to enjoy his playful female. Ra’s lips twitched. “You’d follow me into hell.”

She smirked. “I’ve been there before, twice. Babe, I’d lead the way, wearing the t-shirt. And this time, I’d bring marshmallows for the campfire.”

As he looked into her beautiful face and the hope in her eyes, he couldn’t bring himself to describe what he’d felt from the dark fire king.

How sickeningly happy Viscious had been.

Instead, he wanted to take a moment with his soul bonded.

He’d kept his hands to himself while they’d been trying to focus on training, but at the moment, Ra didn’t know what tomorrow would hold.

He had no idea what Viscious would ask of him, and he wanted to be with his mate one more time without any hurt between them.

Ra reached for her, his hand trembling slightly as he cupped Shelly’s cheek.

The lantern light gilded her in soft gold, flickering over the lines of her jaw, the bow of her lips, the fire in her eyes—his strength, his anchor, his Shelly.

He brushed his thumb across her cheekbone, memorizing the way her skin felt beneath his calloused palm.

“Mery,” he breathed, voice low and rough, like gravel softened by rain.

“I need you. Tonight, I need to remember all the reasons I have to come back.” He hadn’t meant to say it.

He didn’t want her to worry or be afraid.

But he should have known better. His female didn’t shy away from tough emotions.

He felt her determination to keep him and her resolve that she would do anything she could to protect him.

She didn’t answer with words. She melted into his touch, her arms winding around his neck, fingers threading through the hair at the back of his head.

Her lips met his with a tenderness that threatened to undo him completely.

There was no rush in her kiss, no frantic need, just a slow, blooming warmth that seeped into his bones and chased the chill of fate from his heart.