Page 118 of Treasured
Every single minute we spent in Brookton was harder than the last. By the time we returned to the Black Coast, I could barely put one foot in front of the other.
And yet, I had to keep going. This wasn’t the time to let the past rule me.
We had a queen to kill.
Time Grows Short
LUNA
The namesake waters of the Black Sea were extremely unsettling, and their inky waters stretched as far as the eye could see. The surface was as smooth as glass, reflecting the dim light of the moon and stars, and it probably would’ve been appealing if not for the color.
Sebastian ran ahead of me, keeping the obsidian waters on our left. He guided me around trees and over fallen logs. We kept our shadows around us, hiding us from sight as we journeyed north.
Neither of us spoke.
I didn’t regret asking him to show me where he grew up. Every new thing I learned about him was another puzzle piece that fell into place, revealing more of him. I knew him better with each passing day. But I regretted that visiting his family home had made him so upset.
If I visited Ipotha, would I feel the same? Probably. There were so many memories there, between Julieta and my family. But still, I would go back if he asked. I would do anything for him.
A few hours passed. The dying forest was a blur of black trees, dangling vines, and unnatural silence.
Eventually, Sebastian slowed. His movements were as graceful as ever, but mine were significantly less smooth as I halted beside him.
He glanced at me, putting his finger to his lips. His voice was unwavering through the bond. I think we’re close.
I wasn’t sure how he came to that conclusion. This area looked like the rest of the woods we’d run through.
Did you hear something? I asked.
He nodded, his mouth pinched in a firm line. Yes, I…
Sebastian’s next words never came.
A ferocious snarl came from the woods. The hairs on the back of my neck prickled, and my heart squeezed. My shadows pulsed, and I startled. I dropped my hold on the shadows for a single moment, but it was enough. An enormous wolf with a smoky coat stood before us. It turned and met my eye.
Everything happened so fast that I barely registered it.
Sebastian shoved me to the side. I slammed into the ground. A flash of pain ran through my back, and I groaned, grappling at the snow.
Dropping his cloak of darkness, Sebastian gathered shadows in his hands. He snarled. The wolf roared. I cried out. The massive beast leaped in the air.
“Sebastian!” I yelled.
He moved out of the way, but he wasn’t fast enough.
A massive paw landed on his chest, forcing him to the ground. The wolf growled, raising its other paw high in the air. The moonlight glistened off its sharp talons. Violence ebbed off the creature, and I knew I was looking at a bringer of death. One strike of those claws against Sebastian’s neck could kill him.
I struggled back to my feet. “No!”
My fangs ached, my heart thundered, and the dark predator within me woke. This was my husband. My Bound and Tethered Partner. My love.
I refused to allow anything to happen to him.
Crimson tinged my vision. Baring my fangs, I jumped on the wolf. “Get off him!”
Pulling the creature with my bare hands, I channeled all my strength and anger into my movements. My fingers tightened in its fur, and I swung the wolf around. It flew through the air, yelping as it slammed into a tree. A terrible snap echoed through the otherwise silent forest, the trunk splitting in two from the impact.
The gray wolf dropped to the ground, but it did not stay down. Growling, it prowled towards me. Its teeth gleamed as it yipped and snapped at me.