Fear is what fuels Eliana, forcing her to accelerate her movements through the forest. She clenches her teeth in order to hide her pain, her ankle pulsing up her leg. She has her hair tied up, in order to keep it away from the branches jutting out."Hurry," Jasper hisses. "We need to put as much distance between us and Viptan as possible."Eliana tries to pick up her pace, but her weak ankle protests. "I'm sorry," she gasps.Jasper comes to a halt, giving her a moment to rest."Here, get on my back," he crouches in front of her, his large frame waiting.Heat builds in her abdomen. Eliana shakes her head, even though he is unable to see it."No, I can keep going.""Don't be stubborn. Your ankle is only going to get worse if you continue pushing it." He clears his throat, "The trees are becoming too dense, otherwise I would shift and carry you like that. This is our only option.""But you are still healing," she counters.Jasper shrugs, "I am alright. I can do this easily. Now h
"You need to constantly keep your weight grounded," Jasper explains, tapping his own waist for emphasize.Eliana nods, spreading her legs slightly so that they are roughly shoulder length apart. She takes turns putting pressure on each side. Her ankle is not hurting much."It has been almost three days, are you sure we should be wasting our time training like this," she asks, rolling her shoulders. "Should we not be trying to outrun the Climont soldiers?"Jasper nods, straightening his posture before moving to her side. "Correct, but we are at least a day's journey ahead of them. We can take a small amount of time to make sure you can protect yourself the next time they come."Eliana nods, but is emotionally shaken, as Jasper touches her wrist. The gasp builds in her chest and escapes before she can control it.Jasper pauses for a moment, silence overtaking them both.Clearing her throat, Eliana composes herself, "What happens if the attackers are Pivurlion? Surely I cannot defen
The warmth emanating from Eliana's body and her honey scent, overwhelm every sense Jasper has. His mind is a swirling haze as his body aches for more of her. His arm slides farther around her back as he kneels, placing his other hand on the back of her head, imbedding his fingers into her silk locks. His entire nervous system vibrates, a low humming bouncing off his organs, causing miniature shivers to explode all over. He pulls Eliana closer, pressing their lips together as much as he can. His skin tingles, heat licking its way up his arms and into his face. The entire world disappears, his entire soul only aware of Eliana.Jasper's abdomen burns as it makes contact with Eliana's. Her hands softly reach for his shoulders before slowly sliding onto his back causing a low groan to roll through his chest. The need for more becomes overwhelming and he nips at Eliana's bottom lip, resulting in a gasp to echo form her, her eyes flashing open. Her pupils dilate, her own desire lighting up h
It has been two days.Evyn has joined Eliana and Jasper on their journey to Drein. He has no where else to go for the time being, while he waits for the chaos back home in Viptan to die down. Eliana is more uncomfortable. The presence of another Xefol weighs heavy on her mind. She has only recently realized that bringing Jasper to Zaline can prove difficult when meeting her father, but now another one? She wonders about her father, "What will he say when I arrive with two Pivurlion?" He surely will cast them out.She breathes in, trying to rid her chest of the painful twist at the thought.Jasper passes her by as she sits in front of the small fire, the moon hanging low, almost hidden by the trees. Soon they will be in Drein and they will no longer have the forest as cover.Eliana glances away from Jasper as he tosses a pile of branches next to the fire. He huffs, rolling his shoulders. She presses her lips together harshly, pushing her emotions down. With a quick glance, she spo
Finally.With the horizon being obscured by the crude structures of the large city, Olisnia sighs softly. She shifts atop the horse she rides."I am finally here." She gently pats the nape of the animal, smiling. "Thank you for taking me this far."As they near the side of the city, Olisnia glances up at the structures. Her mind begins to wander, flashes of her dreams swirling together. The rough architecture, the stench of the gutter, and the terrified gazes of the citizens as she passes; they are all proven real from her dream."Yes, it is exactly as in my dream. I will find her here." She relaxes her tense shoulders and stares straight ahead. "I will find her soon."As she crosses the threshold of the city, a vision bombards her mind, blinding her. Agony shoots through her body, pulsating behind her eyes. A golden wave blocks her from seeing much else, but she is able to hear anguished cries and feel the heat of flames licking at her skin.Olisnia gasps with the pain her body
Pain."It is all I know now," Alma thinks in her mind. Sighing softly, she welcomes the agony of fresh bruises and open wounds from the whip. They hit the air, and she grits her teeth in order to stop the groan of pain rumbling through her chest. She closes her eyes, blocking out the entire city. She focuses on the way the breeze caresses her cheek and brushes her thin hair. She inhales the warm scent of the thick stew that the Drein rebels, her captors, are making. Her stomach rumbles, and ache in the center of her body."Alma," the voice, belonging to an older man, another slave like her, reaches in through her reverie. "Tell me more of your homeland. Of Pyrion."Reluctantly, she opens her eyes once more, her shoulders sagging. "There is not much else to say. It is useless." She forces a small smile onto her lips. "We are stuck like this forever." She tugs on the rusting shackles locked around her wrists and ankles. Her flesh is beginning to peel and blister around the restraints.
"Come on," Jasper refuses to relinquish Eliana's arm as they sprint through Windwill, pushing their way through the busy streets.Eliana swallows through the burning in her chest from a mixture of exhaustion and fear. The other rebels that came to the aide of their comrade, are still behind them, shouting profanity in their direction."I can't—" she gasps out, exhaustion taking hold.Jasper glances back at her, perspiration building on his temples. He grits his teeth before yanking Eliana down a narrow path between the buildings.The area is so small, the rough brick scrapes her arms as they run, turning right. She bites back her whimpers of pain."Here," he growls, pushing her against an indent in one of the structure's walls. He presses against her, his hands on either side of her head. He peeks his head out slightly, watching for the rebels. He swallows in order to control his labored breathing. "Why are they even here in Windwill with slaves? I thought Drein outlawed slavery y
"Are you alright," Evyn gasps as he leans against the door of the small house they are now hiding in.Alma glances around at their surroundings, her body trembling. It is not for the rebels searching for them. No, it is for the fact that she is now alone with her mate, a complete stranger."Alma, right? Are you injured?" Evyn moves away form the door now, concern pouring out of every part of his body."I—I am fine," she whimpers, side stepping to avoid any contact with him.His scent alone has her mind going hazy. Tangerine. The tangy smell clings to the sides of her tongue.Evyn's brow furrows, the rejection she subtly gives him causing confusion to build in his features."I am sorry," she states, realizing what she has done. "I do not know how to react."Clenching his jaw, Evyn rolls his shoulders and pushes out his chest. "You do not need to be awkward around me. I shall clear the air now. I will not accept you as a mate, on the simple premise that you are not a werebear. I w