He yanked her off him and pulled her back to see her. Her face was streaming with tears. “What?” She swiped a few off her cheeks. “Seeing you cry was the last thing I expected. I suppose in my mind, you’re not capable.” “I’m very capable.” She snorted. “I’ve cried much over the years.” “I’m sorry for it.” He murmured. Petting her hair down over her ears and along her cheeks, smoothing it around her face, comfortingly. “Why did you make me do this?” To his credit, shame washed over him. “I wanted things to be how they were. Just for a moment.” I wanted to touch that impossible fantasy. Damn my soul! “They can’t ever be how they were!” She cried. “I got that.” His hands dropped away. But why? He wanted to ask but was pretty sure it’d be pointless. “It’s too dangerous.” She sobbed. Wrapping her arms back around his neck and hanging on him. “Too dangerous for

“I’m sorry.” Almora offered consolingly. Sympathy written over her face at Nim’s plight. Knowing that the reason she so badly wanted to get to the country was to try to save her son. In true fashion, Nim ever offered a reassurance at the apology. Merely changing the subject. “You were quite impressive, Dread.” Nim indicated. “You weren’t too bad yourself.” Almora beamed at the compliment. “Summoning the cold is only bending what exists to my will." She eyed Nim. "But to entirely change shape is something else.” “Not so much as you’d think.” Nim coughed roughly and drew a swift breath. Hand still clutched to her side. “My beast is every bit as present as your blizzard.” She gave the fairer woman a meaningful look. “Probably more so while in the heart of Spring.” Conjuring Winter amid late Spring was a truly remarkable feat. “You must relax.” Almora dismissed. Gently pressing Nim’s shoulders in the crackling straw p

When the men returned, Lonnix carried Disseus’s cloak while he shook dirt from a crumpled tunic. After smoothing his hair back, he’d proceeded to his saddlebag and retrieved the clothing. Using the powder he kept in his bag, to rub his teeth clean. Feeling far more refreshed than I did waking covered in sweat. Listening to them proclaiming how I’d cried for her. Self-loathing ran through him at his weakness. He checked on the horses. Noticing immediately that the one Almora had been riding was missing. He noted a splash of blood on the ground and followed the trail. Dread already rolling through him as he was sure he knew what he’d find. Just beyond the initial line of trees, he found the bloodied pool of what remained of the horse. It’d been entirely gutted. Pieces of its throat, its eyes and ears gone. And still steaming in the cool day. It was clear that the Demon King’s beasts had already been hunting here.

She hadn’t said a word for many miles. Clearly mad at me, thinking I forced her off her horse. He was tempted to tell her so, but knew Almora would have hell to pay for lying to her, if he did. He decided not to. Let her think it’s me. She hates me anyway. But this had gone on too long. “What’s wrong with you?” “What if he’s given up on me?” She breathed. Disseus instantly saw how selfish his own thoughts had been at those startling words. “Your boy?” “Yes.” “He won’t have.” “But, if he has?” “Nim, you’re entirely unforgettable. Certainly, as a lover. And most assuredly, as a mother.” He said with conviction. “He hasn’t forgotten you.” She turned to give him a searching look. He kept his gaze straight ahead and said nothing but felt the emotion in her study. Emotion that seemed to echo through him at her vulnerability. He clenched the rein in a white-knu

Don’t own- Growling low in his throat, Disseus tossed down the stick he’d been stirring the kindling with. To stalk to her and tower over her. “I am not afraid of you.” Nim lifted a haughty brow. Unmoved by his show of temper. “Perhaps you should be.” His fists tightened and his lips thinned as he glowered venomously at her. It would be wise, since I'm tempted to throw you over my knee until you stop speaking foolishness. “I’m unmoved on this.” She whispered. Meeting his hard gaze. “As am I. We shall see who wins.” I'll tie you to a damn tree if necessary. Disseus gave her his back to go stand near the trees bordering their camp. Leaning against one trunk to glare at her steadily. Making his disapproval of her suggestion obvious. *** They’d all bedded down for the night. Disseus could feel Nim’s eyes boreing into his back. She reached up and tentatively touched his sho