Page 26

Rain began to fall, cool drops sliding over my skin. The chill was almost soothing—if only because it distracted from the shadows tearing me apart from the inside.

Flickering lights came into view, and I let out a frustrated sigh. Logically, I knew we could not ride through the storm. I may not be killed by it, but the others could be.

I veered Umbra to the left, galloping in the direction of the village.

We made it to the stables on the outskirts of the town as the unforgiving downpour broke free from the skies.

Aldric looked as spooked as the horses as we handed them off to a stable hand. To my surprise though, the prince had kept up with our brutal pace in the pitch of night.

The stable hand took us through a door that I had to duck to get through to an adjoining inn, and the smell of food and ale made my stomach roll.

Solas spoke thanks to him as he guided us to a table. I was not fully listening, but from what I could gather, the rooms were full, but we were welcome to take shelter in the tavern.

The others took a seat, but I stayed standing. My boots thudded against the ground with each restless pace.

Something was wrong. I could feel it through the bond. Like a soft tugging in my chest. A faint echo of her anger. Her fear. Or perhaps that was mine and not hers at all.

A fresh wave of despair hit me as I paused at the window, angry splatters of rain whipping against the window.

I needed her the way a drowning man needs air—instinctively, desperately, and without thought for the cost.

What if I could not save her before I died?

“Come and eat something,” Solas said, cutting through my thoughts.

My eyes flashed to him and I bared my teeth. Lightning flashed through the window, illuminating me as the monster I truly was.

Solas sucked in a sharp breath, but he didn’t retreat. Instead, he crossed his arms over his broad chest and leaned back against the table.

“Wallowing will not save her,” he said, an irritating lilt threading through his voice.

I tilted my head at one of my oldest friends, fighting the urge to tear him limb from limb.

“What the fuck did you just say?” I growled, taking a slow step toward him.

Solas chuckled under his breath.

“Oh, you heard me.” His gaze flicked over the shadows curling around my shoulders. “If you had not let her be taken, you would not be sulking like a child.”

“Careful,” I grunted, baring my canines in warning.

“Or what?” he challenged, closing the space between us and flashing his teeth back at me.

Lightning cracked outside, white light spilling through the windows.

I glared at him darkly, but Solas’s grin only widened.

His fist slammed into my jaw hard enough to snap my head sideways.

Pain exploded through my jaw, and I slowly turned back towards him.

I didn’t move.

Solas paused, confusion flickering across his face. “Fight back,” he snapped.

I lifted my head slowly, meeting his gaze. “No,” I growled, yet begging him silently to hit me again. To make me feel. I deserved to hurt.

His expression shifted, softening with realisation as his fist paused midair.