“If you see Elric, tell him I forgive him.” Pushing back her tears, she threw herself up, not once looking back at her friend.
Jaren’s body silently encircled her, not hesitating to direct Darling toward the road to Midpath. His presence alone eased the overpowering anxiety threatening to cripple her.
She didn’t know if she believed what he’d said about them being mates, but she couldn’t deny the connection that existed between them. Her attraction to him wasn’t just physical. It felt deep, like her body recognized and needed his.
She’d already felt drawn to him, but it was like the longer they were together, the stronger it became. Just having him behind her, his scent wrapped around her, was enough to calm even her worst emotions.
Jaren was right, she wanted him. Even now, her body desperately wanted to lean back into him, craving more of his touch. Her mind just wasn’t quite sure how to handle the revelation yet.
∞∞∞
Upon entering the city, Jaren wasted no time in stabling a very deserving Darling and finding them an inn for the night. It wasn’t anything like the one Vera had stayed in when she’d last been to Midpath. It was dirty and rundown, and she definitely wouldn’t be offered a hot bath.
She wasn’t sure if the promise of food and a bed made up for the fact that she’d probably contract food poisoning or a disease. But the room was cheap, the mystery stew flavorless but warm, and none of the other residents paid them any mind.
They traded small talk while they ate, and it wasn’t as awkward as Vera had feared. She panicked when he casually removed his hood at the table, but his unruly hair curled around his ears in a way that covered their uniqueness. She was pretty sure an ink stain on a white sheet would blend in better than they did, but Jaren didn’t seem the least bit worried.
“So,” she cleared her throat, “we’re mates.”
His eyes flared, his attention narrowing on her with intense focus. “We are.”
“How are you—I mean, how was that decided? You made it seem like this bond was different as children?”
Jaren leaned towards her, his voice lowered. “It was different. All I wanted was to be near you and protect you, but it was nothing like the strength of those instincts now.”
“The blade you held to my throat begs to differ.”
He smirked.
“How did you even know that’s what we were?”
“I didn’t. I was barely more than five when you were born. It was my father, Jaeros, who realized it. Apparently, I couldn’t stay away from you. After you were born, he said I kept sneaking off and heading to some random house in the middle of the woods. Our people are well-versed in soul bonds, so as soon as he saw you, he knew.”
“Are soul bonds common?”
He shifted back. “Yes and no. They’re not rare, but not everyone is blessed with one in their lifetime.”
“Why are two people chosen? What decides it?”
“Depends on what you believe in. Fate? Destiny? Luck? What matters is our souls match, Veralie. The moment yours entered the world, mine went searching for it. The how and the why didn’t matter. They still don’t.
“I volunteered to travel here, to scout for King Vesstan. I felt an overpowering need to do it. I wrote it off as some need for penance but…I think my soul was just trying to bring me to you.”
Vera swallowed the sudden lump in her throat and looked away. She wanted to ask more about their childhood, about her parents and why they apparently hadn’t raised her, but she wasn’t quite ready for those answers. Not yet. Her head was already spinning with information overload as it was. She’d have plenty of time to ask later.
Instead, she pushed him for details about the last stretch of their journey to the coast. His look told her the change of subject didn’t fool him, but he humored her and told her about the small ship he’d hidden near Eastshore and how long the voyage to Bhasura would take.
Now that they were down a mouth, he had enough coin for them to stock up on provisions, but they’d have to steal another horse. Vera knew she should feel guilty about that, but she felt nothing but excitement. She was about to live, and she didn’t care if she had to steal fifty horses to make it happen.
They’d just finished their meal when he quirked an eyebrow at the eager expression she’d failed to hide. “Don’t get too excited. It’ll take at least a week to get there, and you won’t enjoy most of it.”
“Why not?”
“You’ll likely spend the majority of the trip vomiting over the side. Seasickness is no joke.”
Her smile fell, her excitement drying up. She’d vomit for weeks? “Can’t I just heal myself?”
He shifted forward, resting his arms on the table. Not for the first time, Vera noticed how beautiful his hands were. “It doesn’t work like that. You’d have to heal yourself constantly every day, several times a day. Even with the strength of your ability, that would drain you.”
“Do you get sick?”
“Not anymore. Although I imagine watching you hurl over and over will be enough to make me want to.” He pushed off the table and stood.
Vera made to glare up at him but halted, her mouth parting when she looked up to see him stretching his arms above his head, smiling mischievously down at her. Holy Aleron, he was gorgeous.
She’d always thought so, but the strange connection between them seemed to be changing, and now she really noticed. She watched his tongue glide over the tip of one of his canines, and heat pooled in her core.
She may have been inexperienced with intimacy, but her thoughts certainly weren’t innocent. He wasn’t the first person she’d ever fantasized about. She’d been physically attracted to a few of the guards—not to mention, Eithan—but nothing measured up to what she felt for Jaren.
At that moment, all she could think about was sinking her fingers into his hair and running her own tongue across his teeth.
He went completely still, his arms frozen above his head. His gaze zeroed in on her, and her breathing quickened. Did he know what she was thinking? Was that something he could do through their bond? She suddenly regretted not asking more questions.
Shooting to her feet, she headed for the stairs, her face on fire. She didn’t stop to see if he followed. She didn’t need to. She could sense him directly behind her, his mere presence pressing in on her until she thought she’d explode.
Pausing at the door the innkeeper had directed them to, she awkwardly waited for Jaren to unlock it before rushing past him into the cramped room. She almost groaned with anticipation when she caught sight of the small, dingy tub in the corner, but then her eyes drifted to the other side of the room. To the single bed.
She chastised herself. They’d touched more on the horse than they’d have to touch sleeping on the bed. Not to mention, they’d already slept side-by-side on the ground. Doing so on a mattress wouldn’t be any different.
Even if they were now alone.
In a private room.