Page 79 of Infernal Bonds

21

BREAKING

ZEKE

Ihadn’t spent much time in Feranzis, but I’d seen it plenty of times from the walls surrounding Elyrdin while on patrol. My limited experience in the cursed forest involved traveling the carved path from the gates of Elyrdin to Moicae and staying far away from the thicket on either side.

Cyn paused, bracing his hand on a nearby tree. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his breathing came labored, more than I’d expect from someone with his training after the short distance we’d traveled.

It took three days on foot to pass through Feranzis using the path from the gates to Moicae, but with the rough terrain and dense flora we needed to be wary of, I expected our journey to take another day.

If we could find the path, it’d be a lot easier to get back, but I didn’t know how far away it was. We’d likely lose more time searching for it and alert a whole bunch of friends who’d try to murder us in the process.

“Should we stop?” Rae approached Cyn and reached for the wrapping she’d used to cover his wound. “Let me look at it.”

“I’m fine,” he muttered, but let her unravel the bold blue fabric.

Light pink lashes marked his side. Had the taybil’s sharp claws dug deep, he would still have gashes, potentially leading to large scars. Considering how superficial the wounds were, his collapse when the taybil let him go surprised me.

Cyn’s jaw muscles worked as Rae traced her fingers over the marks on his side.

“Your skin feels warm.” She looked up at him, straightening up and reaching for his forehead. “You’re feverish.”

“I said I’m fine,” he snapped.

“She’s just trying to help.”

“Well, she doesn’t need to.”

“Excuse me for actually giving a damn,” she snapped and stomped ahead.

He tilted his head back with a loud groan. “That’s not what I meant.”

“What did you mean?”

“I just don’t want her worrying about me,” he mumbled as we rushed after her.

“Why not?”

I waited for him to answer, and when it seemed he wouldn’t, I asked again.

He stopped and looked at me. “Because I don’t deserve it, okay?”

“Why not?”

He scrubbed his face, pushing his hair back. “Stop asking that.”

“Not until you give me a clear answer.”

“You’re as stubborn as she is.”

I grinned. “Still not answering.”

He threw his hands up and started after her again. “Because I fucked up, and she hates me.”

“She doesn’t hate you.” When he didn’t respond, I added, “She’s hurt. But she doesn’t hate you. I think she’s confused.”

“About what?”