Total pages in book: 247
Estimated words: 242728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1214(@200wpm)___ 971(@250wpm)___ 809(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 242728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1214(@200wpm)___ 971(@250wpm)___ 809(@300wpm)
Runa.
She’s here.
I spun on the spot, searching for her in the tall grass just before she stepped into the clearing.
The wolves didn’t move, having sensed her too, but the Nhil all turned toward her, relief pressing on their shoulders.
“Thank the fire, there you are.” The chief moved toward her.
Zetas shot forward with a savage snarl, wedging her sleek body to Runa’s side. Her head lowered with fanged caution, just daring the chief to take another step.
Runa halted, her arms full of Natim with Syn sinking to her haunches beside her.
A wolf, a lynx, and a deer.
All three creatures acting like family, bonded together thanks to the love they shared for the fascinating, mysterious girl in their midst.
I watched Aktor as he drank in Runa.
Saw the way his eyes rounded, and his tongue slid over his bottom lip.
I didn’t like it.
I despised it.
A shadow snaked out of my hands, shooting forward and looping around Runa’s waist. I felt her as surely as if it were my arms that encircled her.
I drowned in her heat and strength.
I quaked with desperation to pick her up and run far away. To carry her into the stars and keep her hidden from these underserving men.
Runa looked toward me, her white hair wild down her back and amber eyes wide with worry. Our gazes locked; my nostrils flared with need.
Salak pressed harder against me, drawing me back, reminding me to keep my temper leashed. I didn’t remove my shadows from around her waist, but I did push away some of my fury, hoping she could see how much I cared, how much I wanted her, how much I hoped she’d pick me over them.
I begged her to come to my side.
But she stayed where she was, hugging Natim and drawing courage from the wolf and lynx at her hip.
Tearing her gaze from mine, she focused on the Nhil. The welcome in her body, the subtle shift down her spine and gentleness in her tone made my gut churn with frustration.
“Tral.” She smiled and stepped toward him.
Zetas shadowed her. Syn padded silently. And Natim flicked his big ears, looking over Runa’s shoulder at me as if he agreed with me, wishing she’d return to the pack, to the den where he was fed and slept with fluffy littermates, to the only home he now knew.
“Girl...we were so worried.” The chief gritted his teeth and stepped forward, keeping his hands high on his spear to avoid sharp teeth watching him greedily. “How did you leave? Why did you leave? You need to come back—”
“I’m so sorry, Tral.” Runa flinched with remorse. “I didn’t mean to. I don’t know how it happened. One moment I was with Solin, and the next I was...” She flicked me a glance before looking back at the chief. “I was going to come back.” She shifted on the spot, her gaze landing on Natim and the tiny bumps that’d appeared on his head this morning, revealing the nubs of antlers that would one day grow. “I found this orphaned fawn. He needed milk, which the wolves have so kindly provided. I stayed because he needed me.” She straightened and looked at the chief. “But that’s no excuse for the worry I’ve caused. I should’ve returned sooner, to let you know I was well. It’s unforgivable after the kindness your clan has shown me.”
The chief nodded, his eyes tight. “I appreciate your gentleness toward a youngling, and I’m grateful that you feel such obligation to those who need care, but others need you too.” His voice thickened. “Our Spirit Master hasn’t woken up since you entered the trance together. We can’t get him to eat or drink. Much longer and he’ll die.”
Runa stiffened, her arms wrapping tighter around Natim. “He won’t wake up?”
Tral shook his head. “Nothing we do rouses him.”
“Does the fire still burn?”
He nodded. “Yes. It just keeps glowing. It doesn’t accept any bison dung or new wood. It doesn’t putter out. It’s as everlasting as Solin’s sleep.” Holding out his hand, he muttered, “Please, come back with us, Girl. You owe it to Solin to help him after he tried to help you.”
I strode forward, my shadows snaking around Runa as Zetas growled at the chief. “Her name isn’t Girl.”
Runa gave me a tense smile as I stopped next to her, Zetas between us.
Tral scowled, glancing at both of us. A few moments passed before his eyes flared with understanding. “Wait. Does that mean the trance worked? You remembered your name?”
I answered for her. “Her name is Runa.”
I studied him carefully, waiting to see recognition of the word—to see if he had knowledge of what her name represented and just how precious she was. But he merely smiled and gave her a respectful nod. “Runa is a very pretty name. Whoever your people were, they chose well.”