Page 120 of Cycle Keeper’s Shadow

Chapter 31

Where Quiet Breaks

Birds fell silent as Orzen crashed through the underbrush, like even they were afraid of him. The sudden hush pressed in close, thick as fog. His breath tore through his throat in ragged pulls, too hot and fast. If he didn’t get himself under control, he’d set the whole forest on fire.

Silas’s smug face burned behind his eyes every time he blinked—as if he’d already won some twisted game Orzen didn’t understand. He was probably back there now whispering poison into Wren’s ear. Telling her that only he could protect her, that Orzen was dangerous.

And maybe she’d believe him. That thought scorched worse than anything else. He could endure her anger, but he wasn’t sure he could survive if she was afraid of him.

Heat flared down his arms. Fire licked between his fingers. He dropped to one knee and slammed his fist into the earth, dirt smoldering beneath his knuckles. Smoke curled upward across his arm in thin ribbons.

Calm down. Breathe. Don’t burn the godsdamned forest down.

A branch snapped behind him. Footsteps.

“Leave me alone!” His voice ripped out harsher than he intended—raw and panicked.

“Why?” Jessa stepped into view, hands on her hips, dark brow arched in an unimpressed way. “So you can have a temper tantrum all alone?”

Not Wren. Thank the gods. Not that Jessa would be much better right now. Relief and shame fought for space in his chest.

“Tommick almost died,” he huffed, heat still pouring from him. “He’s the one you should be worried about.”

“Tommick’s shaken,” she said, strolling over to kick moss off a fallen log, “but he’s tougher than he looks. You, on the other hand?” She dropped onto the log, folding her arms. “You’re five minutes away from melting your own bones.”

Orzen whipped toward her, frustration bursting free. “I’ve never trusted him. I’ve been saying he’s dangerous for days now and no one cares!”

“Orzen…” She leveled a look at him that was so withering it would unmake most men. “Saying requires words. Punching doesn’t count. And if you want her to hear you, you might want to try speaking.”

He let out a hot breath and dropped onto the dirt in front of her, sitting with his body hunched over—like the words had drawn the fight right out of him. The heat beneath his skin finally began to ebb away, leaving exhaustion underneath.

“He’s using her,” he said, voice low and scraping. “He’s going to hurt someone if I don’t stop him. If I push him far enough, he’ll break, and she’ll finally see what he is.”

“And what’s that exactly…?” she asked, tilting her head, braids falling over her shoulder—calm, curious, and too perceptive by far.

“I don’t know!” He shoved both hands through his hair. “Nothing good. He’s up to something—manipulating her, twisting things. I don’t know why. I only know he is.” His fists dug into his knees. “And Wren keeps…choosing him. Like she doesn’t see it.”

Jessa’s lips thinned. “You’re stupid when you’re angry.”

He opened his mouth to protest. She cut him off with a look.

“Let me spell it out for you,” Jessa said slowly. “Wren isn’t choosing him you big buffoon.”

“Then why are you here instead of her?” The words burst out before he could stop them. It came out more bitter than he meant.

The second it left his mouth, shame burned behind his ribs. It would’ve been a disaster if she’d come and seen him like this, even if he wanted it anyway. He had no entitlement to her attention, and yet the desire still coiled around his chest like iron bands.

“Gods, Orzen.” Jessa clasped her hands in front of her like she was speaking to a irritable child. Not that far off from the truth. “I told her to stay because I didn’t want you making a complete fool of yourself in front of her,” she said with a huff.

That hit harder than any punch he’d ever taken. The fire in his chest sank low, molten and ugly. Wren would never have looked at him the same again if she saw the way he was acting now.

Jessa jabbed a finger at him, eyes bright and intense. “Look. You’re like, way older than me—”

“Hey, I’m not that—” Her glare shut his mouth with a snap.

“But you’re dancing around Wren like she’ll shatter if you get within five feet of her and tell her the truth.”

“Truth?” He blinked at her then swallowed hard.