44. Rhyland

Rhyland

44

A s Lucian and Erik stride away, a cold dread latches onto my spine like a vise grip, squeezing the life out of me. Dani's stubborn belief that the stone is hidden in the Crystal Peaks cranks up the tension tearing through my body, setting every nerve on fire. The horror stories about the Whisperlings mess with my head—their illusions are as deadly as the peaks are steep, a one-way ticket to insanity.

I'm rooted to the ground like an oak tree, but my head's a war zone, fears storming in like berserkers, ready to tear me apart from the inside out. They say those Whisperlings come at you with the darkest, most twisted fears you've buried deep down, weaving traps so convincing you could lose your mind in them for a hundred years. The beast inside me growls a primal rumble that echoes through my chest, itching to dive into the fray and give in to the urge for blood and the wild, untamed call of raw instinct.

Dani locks eyes with me, her keen, honey-gold gaze cutting through the bullshit like a hot knife through butter, seeing right to my core. "You okay?" she asks, knifing through the room's dying reverberations, cutting through the chaos in my head like a beacon in the dark.

I falter, my words stumbling out like clumsy, drunken soldiers. "Yeah, I'm fine," I bluff, the lie tasting bitter on my tongue. But who am I kidding? Thanks to our bond, she calls my bluff without a word, her eyes narrowing in that way that tells me she sees right through my tough-guy act.

Her gaze sharpens as she moves in close, putting distance between us and any nosy onlookers. "Rhyland..." she insists, her voice laced with an intensity that cuts straight through the crap, leaving no room for anything but the raw, unfiltered truth.

My defenses shatter, the walls I've built crumbling under the onslaught of dread threatening to drown me. "It's those Whisperlings," I admit, my voice rough with emotion. "What if..." I pause, hating how vulnerable I feel. "They could make me lose control, make me lose you."

But Dani stands firm, undaunted by my towering form, by the fear eating me alive. Her response is fierce, her voice a fortress of certainty. "I thought the same thing back there," she says, her eyes blazing with determination. "But Rhyland, I swear nothing like that's gonna happen. I won't let anything happen to you." It's a pledge tying her fate to mine, a promise she'll fight to keep.

I chuckle wryly, shaking my head at her boldness, at the sheer audacity of this woman. "You've got it twisted, Angel," I tell her, my voice low and rough. "It's my job to protect you, to keep you safe from all the shit out there."

But Dani just smirks, sass practically oozing from every pore as she prods at my chest with a slender finger. "Try and keep up then," she teases, her voice light and playful, a challenge wrapped in jest. Her sass is a godsend when my inner storm tries to tear everything to shreds and the darkness threatens to swallow me whole.

"Keep up?" I let out a low, mocking chuckle, my voice dripping with challenge. "Baby, I set the pace. And you better believe I'm gonna make sure you keep up every step of the way."

Her laughter rings out, a melody as potent as a spell, taming the wild beast raging in my core. "Sure you do, Viking," she teases, punctuating it with a wink that makes my blood run hot.

I lean in close, nearly nose to nose—my voice a low rumble meant just for her. "Is that a challenge, baby?"

Dani's grin turns wicked, her eyes roving over me in a way that makes my muscles tense with desire. "Maybe it is," she purrs. "Think you can handle me?"

I bite back a growl, my hands itching to grasp her. But we aren't alone, and I force myself to take a measured step back.

"Careful, Angel," I warn, my tone husky with desire. "You don't want a repeat of last night, do you? Not here."

Before I can react, she's in front of me, grabbing fistfuls of my hair and yanking me down into a searing kiss.

For a moment, my mind blanks lost in the taste and feel of her. Then instinct roars to life, and I wrap my arm around Dani's waist, hauling her close. I devour her mouth greedily, heedless of our audience. Her soft curves mold to my body, and she moans against my lips. The sound nearly shatters my restraint.

With effort, I break the kiss, my breathing ragged. Dani's eyes are glazed, and her lips are kiss-swollen. Gods—the way she tests my control.

"Minx," I rasp. "What's gotten into you?"

A serious crease forms between Dani's brows, her features hardening with resolve. "I need this, Rhyland. Need you close," she says, her words laced with urgency. She lays a hand over my heart, the warmth of her touch searing through me. "I won't lose you," she vows, her determination unyielding.

She meets my gaze squarely, her voice playful but challenging. "Now, try not to slow me down, Viking," she dares with a sly smile. "I've got realms to save, and I need you at your best."

Fuck me sideways. This woman is a no-bullshit force of nature. She doesn't hesitate to kick my ass into gear when I need it. My cock twitches.

Dani slips out of my hold and struts off, her hips rolling with each step. I'm rooted to the spot, mesmerized, until she vanishes down the hallway. A low chuckle bursts from me. Even with all the beasts around, my mate's the fiercest of them all.

I shout after her, "That all you got, Angel?"

Her laughter answers, bright and teasing, bouncing back to me. "Wouldn't you like to know!"