Chapter 8

Eight

Moon

W e spend about ten minutes standing back as I watch massive dude, after massive dude, pass Echo around for hugs. Apparently, his mother, you know, the Elven Queen who isn’t really dead, is hunting, but will probably return after hearing the trumpets, but Crow wants us to leave now.

“I don’t like this,” I protest.

“Well, your options are, stay here with Arlo and allow the Orcs to hold a traditional bonding ceremony for you and your Heart Bonded… Or you leave with me now.” Crow shrugs, and I manage to stop myself from punching him in the nose.

When the Chieftain first suggested it, I think I turned almost as green as the Orc’s, and Echo just froze up. Neither of us is ready for that, although, as far as I know, this Heart Bond is unbreakable. It’s not the permanence that scares me. I would want a moment like that to be meaningful. He only just found out who he truly is, and it’s been like five hours since we realized we had a Heart Bond…

“I don’t want to just leave him behind,” I grumble, and Crow frowns.

“Why not?”

Fuck. I don’t really have a valid reason that isn’t just… ‘Cuz I don’t wanna…’

“Right, well. He needs to get to know his kin, and you need to return to your own realm. Your Bonded will be fine here.” Crow grabs my arm and starts to pull me away, as he looks around us like he’s fleeing from something. I ignore the spark of magic between us when he touches me and yank free from his hold.

“At least let me say goodbye, jeez!”

I stomp off, looking for Echo. Arlo… Fuck, I need to ask him what he wants me to call him. Fortunately, he finds me before I have to go too far.

“Leaving?” Echo asks, and I can’t help but stare at his lips. His tusks. Honestly, it’s cute as fuck. I bite my lip and blush when he clears his throat.

“Sorry, yes. We’re leaving. I wish you’d come with me…” I mumble, dropping my gaze to the grass. “Maybe I should stay?”

“Hey, look at me,” Echo lifts my chin until our eyes meet. “I’ll be fine here, and I’ll return before the Games. Just, promise you’ll attempt to keep yourself safe?” He looks genuinely worried, and I wonder how much of that is real, and how much is the bond. Apparently, my thoughts are transparent because Echo pulls me hard against his body. “My feelings are entirely real for you, Moon. All of them. Do you know how I know that?” he asks, stroking my back.

“How?” I look up at him, glad I can see all of him, including the mark that tells everyone he’s mine.

“Because when I first met you, I knew immediately who you were to me, and for like four months I found you to be completely insufferable,” he teases, and I smack his chest. “I’m kidding. But it wasn’t instant love. Maybe an instant desire to make sure you didn’t accidentally kill yourself with your clumsy ways, but not love. The love happened slowly.” The last words are nearly whispered, and I lean up on my toes until our lips are almost touching.

“Well, I still find you insufferable, but what fun would it be if you weren’t?” I tease him right back, and when he smiles, it warms my heart. “I’m glad I can see your smile now, Arlo,” I say, closing the gap between us and kissing him. A real kiss this time. Something about leaving him here feels so wrong, but I can’t figure out why. The way his cheeks blushed when I used his name, makes me think that’s what he wants me to call him from now on. So, I will.

“Sorry, Princess, but it’s time to go,” Crow interrupts, and this time I send a gust of wind to smack him. Unfortunately, he dodges it easily. I give Arlo one last peck, and a hand squeeze, feeling like I’m walking away from something that’s only just begun.

“Be safe,” I tell Arlo, who nods, watching as I turn to Crow and narrow my eyes.

“Stop calling me that. You know I’m no princess,” I grumble, as I reluctantly approach him.

“No? Are you sure?”

“Crow. I’m sure there’s a market for Elven blood, especially from a Champion. Don’t make me drain you and sell you for parts,” I growl as I reach the far more frustrating man.

“I should warn you, I’m not easy to kill, but I would absolutely love it if you tried, baby.” The way he whispers this in my ear has my body erupting with shivers.

“Don’t tempt me,” I deflect, hoping he doesn’t see how those words affect me.

Moon

“You did what?!” I snap, throwing my hands in the air, as Lust stands there with his arms crossed over his chest. I’ve only been back for one day when Lust decided to piss me all the way off.

“If you’d just dropped out, I wouldn’t have needed to join.” He shrugs, making me shove him uselessly.

“You dumb beast! I didn’t even join! I tried! But someone else already signed me up, and I couldn’t drop out even if I wanted to, which I don’t!” I shove at him again, even though it’s no easier to shove a boulder.

“Well, now I’ll be there to make sure you don’t end up dead in the first round.” He spins, starting to walk away from me, but I can’t think of a good come-back.

“Yeah, well every time you try to save me, I’ll just flash the audience!” I counter, and the Phoenix spins back around, his eyes blazing with fire. “What, you don’t want to see my boobs, but I can’t show anyone else either?” I know I’m being childish, but I don’t care. Sometimes, all I can do to fight back against his logic is piss him off with bullshit. Maybe I’m irritable after not getting any answers from Crow once he dumped me here and disappeared.

“Moon…” he warns, and I grab the hem of my shirt as one of the guys who works in mechanics walks around the corner. A Vampire named Daire.

“Hey handsome, I got a new piercing recently, want to-” I’m not actually going to flash the Vampire, but the look on his face is almost hurtful. He looks disgusted. However, my plan works, and Lust’s Phoenix takes over as he shifts into his flaming bird-like form and immediately turns into a pile of ash. Honestly, I think it’s a bit dramatic. I giggle, shaking my head. He needs to get his shit together.

But I won. So, I start to walk away, until the Vampire stops me.

“Do you frequently expose yourself to strangers?” he snaps, and I frown, turning to him.

“I didn’t show you anything. My shirt stayed firmly in place,” I counter, pointing at my boobs, which I did not flash.

“You were about to.” He glares, red eyes flashing behind his black-rimmed glasses, and I wonder why I never noticed how cute he was before.

“No, I wasn’t. Why are you wearing glasses? I thought Vampires had, like, perfect eyesight.”

“Yes, you had the bottom of your shirt in your hand.” He points, and then scoffs. “And the glasses aren’t to improve my eyesight, they’re so I-” He pauses. “You know what. It’s none of your business,” he waves me off, flashing away from me too fast for me to track.

“Dick!” I shout, but he doesn’t respond, since he’s probably long gone by now.