Page 34 of These Fractured Bonds

She remained in place until the door clicked shut, and her knees buckled, having held her up when all she wanted to do was crawl under her bed and remain there until she woke up from her nightmare. But her stomach growled, and although her headache faded with the painkiller, another threatened to start. So, she forced herself to stand, Bri’s words echoing in her ears.

Don’t let him win.

Onthefirstfloor,the kitchen was a cozy, spacious room equipped with essentials and trinkets. Despite the strategically placed decorations, it felt empty, like whoever owned the cabin was seldom there. The delicious smell of hearty soup drew her attention to the counter, where a bowl, bread, and a large glass of cloudy water waited for her. Yareli sniffed the liquid; it smelled sweet.

“It’s electrolytes.” Leo emerged from the shadows, having been hidden by a small alcove in the kitchen. He gestured at the small table he was seated at. “Take a seat.”

She considered his request. She was still miffed at his abandonment. Ultimately, her empty stomach prevailed, and she couldn’t deny that she wanted to talk to him. She sat, setting her food down. With the weight of his attention on her, she fidgeted.

“So… electrolytes, huh?” It sounded lamer out loud than it had in her head.

Leo laughed. “Erick told me. He had to run out to grab some supplies, and said I should inform you that it wasn’t poison.”

Yareli rolled her eyes. She wasn’tthatparanoid. She took a bite of the soup, sighing when its warmth settled in her stomach.

“Delicious, isn’t it?”

His word choice must have been intentional, for it got her attention. She swallowed the soup down the wrong pipe and coughed. Leo moved to pat her back, and she swatted his hand away.

“What the hell?”

After her coughing subsided, she found mirth in Leo’s gaze, and she began to laugh.

“You flirt!” She smiled, and she thought about leaning over and kissing him to end their pretenses.

“I’m only guilty when it comes to you.”

Her smile grew.Consequences be damned. She wanted more from him, and as if he read it on her face, he brushed her cheek, and she leaned into its warmth, but a dark look flashed across his face, reminding her of his bereavement. She wondered if now was a good time to broach his father and sister’s murders.

“About your family…”

Leo stiffened, his hand falling. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Yareli bit her lip, swallowing her condolences; after all, how good were words in the face of tremendous loss? Her heart clenched for him regardless.

A crash startled them, and she turned. Standing above fallen knives was the most beautiful Fae she had ever laid her eyes on. Tall—they were always tall—and tanned, his dark hair accentuated his sculpted cheekbones. He wore a navy blue officer’s uniform; it fit him perfectly, making him look almost regal. When his hazel eyes locked onto hers, something twisted in her chest. His eyes swirled with emotions she couldn’t decipher fast enough. Her pulse quickened, thundering in her ears.

She knew who he was before he introduced himself, and his name left her lips.

“August.”

His eyes flashed again, but this time it was so fleeting, she thought it might have been a trick of light.

He cleared his throat. “I apologize for interrupting. I wasn’t aware that anyone was in the kitchen.”

“When did you arrive?” Leo asked, pushing up from the table.

And although Leo was the one who responded, August’s gaze remained on her. His eyes held her captive as if she were suspended in the sky, and he was gazing upon her from below.

“Just now.”

“Well, your bedroom is all ready for you.” Leo walked to him, and the knives floated back into their respective spots in their wooden block.

August looked away then. He drew Leo into a half-hug, and Yareli watched, fascinated by the silent exchange. They separated, and Leo glanced at her, his face unusually devoid of emotion. What exactly had been communicated between the two? She didn’t have time to linger on it. Leo departed the kitchen, and she was left alone with the Fae she’d been searching for. Her pulse slowed, her breathing stopped, and the world went silent as his eyes met hers.

Here, she thought,here you are.

He was quiet, and she was reminded of an impenetrable fortress, but she wasn’t dissuaded. Words failed her. She stuttered and stumbled over them.